You won't get too far without a properly working electrical system! The electrical system of the car provides the flow of electricity to all those points in the car that need electricity to function. As we have seen the battery provides the power to start the starter. It also provides the power to the distributor that is then sent to the spark plugs, creating the spark that enables the combustion process to occur in the engine cylinder.

Â

Electricity is also used in a car to enable the following parts to operate:

1. The fuel pump. (On some cars this is mechanical, not electrical).

2. The computer in a fuel injection system, or the on-board computer if the car has one.

3. The instrument panel, informing the driver of how the car is running.

4. The side lights, the head lights, the reversing lights, the indicator lights, the hazard lights, the interior lights.

5. The horn.

6. The radio.

7. The cigarette lighter, which can also be used as a power supply for other accessories.

8. The air conditioning.

Each of the parts supplied with electricity is also supplied with a fuse. A fuse is an electrical safety device, containing a metal wire or strip. When a flow of electricity through the fuse becomes too strong, the fuse melts, interrupting the circuit and preventing damage to the electrical machinery involved. The fuse box containing these fuses is usually located under the front dash board by the driver's seat. The electric current is carried by wires to the various points where it will be used. These wires are normally well protected and will not cause trouble.

Look under the hood again and see how the battery is hooked up to the alternator.

Track down some of the wires and see where they go.