Automotive Electrical System Basics - EricTheCarGuy

Automotive Electrical System Basics - EricTheCarGuy

This one covers the basic components of the electrical system and gives a general overview of their function. We have to start somewhere so we'll start here.

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ETCG

[jayarscintilla]

As an automotive tech and student, your videos provide me with a clear and practical explanation of automotive systems. These videos are priceless. Thx a million!

[pcdangio]

Great video! One more note to add for the starter... the solenoid (in addition to completing the circuit for the starter motor) is also responsible for mechanically engaging/disengaging the starter motor pinion gear to the rest of the engine. The solenoid engages the starter motor's pinion gear while turning the engine, and disengages the pinion gear once the engine is started. This prevents the engine from turning the starter once the engine is running on its own.

[ericthecarguy]

@ElLeonidas2009 With the new shop I'll be able to use better lighting as that has also been a concern of mine for some time. Thanks for your comments.

[ericthecarguy]

@JTheGuitarPlayer Actually there are 3 more videos in this series, Belts and Pulleys, Starter Diagnosis, and Alternator Diagnosis, stay tuned for those.

[churbro]

Positive to neg flow is know as conventional flow.(how we have been taught and wiring diagrams show)
Actual electrical flow is neg to positive through the movement of electrons which are negative charge known as Actual Flow.

[ericthecarguy]

@terminamator I hope to have more electrical videos for you in the coming year. Thanks for the comment.

[davidstock]

Thanks to Eric, solved a very difficult parasitic engine off, battery drain. Drained a brand new same day battery within 4-hours, battery was renderless, not able to recharge. 10-20 Amp multimeter test, engine off solved problem. It wasn't a fused electrical circuit, which are only moderate difficulty to locate/solve problem. It was wiring harness problem. Eric is no gimmic, he has real life massive experience. Also demonstrates within considering safety to diy people. Won't compromise your safety, in other words. Tracing electric wire harnesses is very time consuming, money within a top notch multimeter worthy, and beyond to have. All thanks to Eric.

[mehpersonguy]

I've been a long-time viewer (ever since I had to do my first brake job back in 2011 or so) and your videos are always *immensely* helpful ^-^ very thorough and informative, but you still keep it engaging and easy-to-follow

Recently my brother was having battery troubles, and we would've had to get it towed and go through labor fees at a shop...likely to spend 2-3x the cost of a battery for the whole ordeal (labor fees, but also the battery was $80 cheaper than most places at Costco) But, thanks to your plethora of repair videos, I was able to diagnose/fix the issue myself and save my brother a lot of time and money. Honestly, I wouldn't have known the first thing about putting a multimeter on the battery to test it and the charging system if it weren't for your advice, heh.

Thank you Eric for saving us (and my brother's car) once more ^-^ Your videos have been an invaluable resource over the years, and I can't help but recommend your channels (yes, ETCG1 also) anytime someone I know is having car troubles- or even for general car advice :3

[ericthecarguy]

@KillerZero259 Some of the videos I upload don't go live for a while and as a result don't show up as new videos.

[terminamator]

Years of confusion have just parted in front of me like the Red Sea. I doubled my knowledge of electricity in one sitting!

Thanks for clearing things up, Eric.

[minamesparkletits]

I like that you give us insight into how this works. I'm a bit of a gear head, but my dad (who's been my primary teacher) isnt knowledgeable how to work with electric.

[RedEyedJedi]

I really appreciate you making these videos Eric. They are exactly what I've been looking for.

[ericthecarguy]

@Chills327 I hope to do more on this topic moving forward, thanks for the comment.

[cbrr]

Simple, easy and PERFECT for a "noob".... THANKS!!!

[Robbmyster]

This is by far one of my weakest areas...keep it coming please :)

[gunner_melon]

I haven't learned anything in class so I decided to watch this. It's taught me more than a whole month of school

[rileysanville]

I can tear apart and rebuild semi engines but when it comes to wiring I just can’t seem to grasp some of it lol

[sunnydaze]

Hey Eric, longtime fan, finally subbed. You do great videos man. You explain things very intuitively and humbly. I'm upgrading the grounds on my Chevy Silverado and my RSX Type S. What I've got sorted thus far is:

+ Battery to starter solenoid and/or alternator
- Battery to block
Block to firewall
Firewall to frame
Additional grounds:
Taillights
Stereo
Dash
Bed to frame
Misc additional components
Looking good so far?

[ericthecarguy]

@SuperRajyou Thank you, I'm glad you liked it.

[ericthecarguy]

@spelunkerd Yea and I think your speculation is correct because this won't come up as a new video but I'm working on a solution to that problem. As for connecting wiring, the only aluminum you really deal with is on the engine and trans parts, sometimes the body, so your really not connecting copper to aluminum wiring but rather large parts that complete the path to ground.