What is the purpose of the car's Solenoid?
It's a miracle that we can start our cars as easily as we do every day.We jump into our vehicles, turn a key, and then our engine instantly roars to life, thanks to the incredible power of an internal combustion reaction.
It is more convenient than if we had to start the engine in another way.Drivers used to have to start their cars by turning a crank.This convenient starting process is only possible because of your car's solenoid.
A solenoid is one of the few components that can start a car.It is positioned between the engine and the ignition module.
Solenoids operate by receiving both large and small electrical currents from your vehicle's battery and ignition system when the car key is turned.
The starter solenoid closes two contacts as the key is turned.The starter motor has electrical currents from the ignition to it.That starts a chain reaction to start the engine.
Think of the solenoid as the initial spark that starts your car's engine and leads to all of its complex mechanical parts turning in unison.
Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, the location of a solenoid can vary.The starter control terminal and starter gear are connected to the solenoids on the starter motor.
So what is a starter motor?A magnetic and electric motor connected to your car's battery is designed to receive low current power and begin turning the aptly-named starter gear, again turning to start a larger electrical reaction and eventually your entire engine.
Some cars have their solenoids in the engine compartment.Check your owner's manual for more information about the exact location of the solenoid in your vehicle.
Solenoids allow your ignition system to reach the starter motor and cause your car to start in the first place.
Without a key, your car wouldn't start.You could start your vehicle by touching the battery and starter motor.You have to pop the hood of your car before each drive to start it this way.Depending on the complexity of your car's engine bay, that procedure might be impossible.
It is important to make sure that your solenoid is working correctly.If you want to enjoy the convenience of key-turning engine ignition, it is a vital component.
When you insert your key into the ignition, the action sparks a small electrical current that is sent from the switch to the starter solenoid.The solenoid closes a pair of heavy metallic contacts when it receives this current.The contacts relay a larger electrical current than the starter motor.The starter motor starts the engine.
What will happen next?The engaged solenoid operates a lever that forces a component into a meshed position with another part called a ring gear, locking them together.The ring gear prevents the starter motor from spinning out of control.
It all sounds very technical, but the bottom line is that your key will turn in the ignition and send electricity to the starter motor, which will start the rest of your engine and allow it to run smoothly.
Solenoids are extremely critical parts for proper automotive function, and while they are modestly durable, they can still fail under certain circumstances.The engine won't start when you turn the key.
It is important to know how solenoids can fail so you can identify potential malfunction and repair your vehicle or bring it to a mechanic as soon as possible.When there isn't enough power from the battery, solenoids stop working.
The starter motor won't have the electrical current it needs.A low power malfunction is caused by a clicking sound when you turn your key.The loss of power can be caused by things.