Need Some Info

[dtufino]

As most of you gusy know i'm a New Yorker, we don;t know anything abour Cars because we take buses, cabs, and the almighty subway...

I'm a new car owner and am 30 y/o, and to tell u the truth i don't know Sh*t about cars.

I have a few questions....

What does an Ultinator Do?

and what is the Mechinism that starts the car, the starter or whatever is called.

I ask because when i start my car it winds for a few seconds before it actually does start, is this an issue that i might wanna address?...

Now before i get Flamed i already did a search, and found nothing about this issue....

Pls help.....

[jayhawk]

Originally posted by dtufino
As most of you gusy know i'm a New Yorker, we don;t know anything abour Cars because we take buses, cabs, and the almighty subway...

I'm a new car owner and am 30 y/o, and to tell u the truth i don't know Sh*t about cars.

I have a few questions....

1)What does an Ultinator Do?

2)and what is the Mechinism that starts the car, the starter or whatever is called.

3)I ask because when i start my car it winds for a few seconds before it actually does start, is this an issue that i might wanna address?...

Now before i get Flamed i already did a search, and found nothing about this issue....

Pls help.....

Thats fine!

1) Actually, it spelled ALTERNATOR. An alternator uses the drive belt to maintain the voltage need to keep a car running with its various electronics. The battery is what starts your car.

2)That would be a starter. It is powered by the battery.

3)The starter has a little gear on it that engages when you turn your key to start to a very large gear called a flex plate. The flex plate is connected to your engine; the time it takes from turning the key to start to the time the engine is running by itself is from the starter turning over the engine via the flywheel. It turns the engine at around 400-600 revolutions per minute, just enough for the vehicles ignition system to kick in and do the work.

[jayhawk]

This is a roughy what your alternator looks like(a cross section):

http://www.hgmakelim.com/images/alternator.jpg

[jayhawk]

This is roughly what a starter looks like. See the little brass gear thats partially hidden? That pops out and spins on coressponding teeth on the flexplate when you start your car.

http://saturnsurplus.com/genset/starter.jpg

[dtufino]

Originally posted by jayhawk
This is roughly what a starter looks like. See the little brass gear thats partially hidden? That pops out and spins on coressponding teeth on the flexplate when you start your car.

http://saturnsurplus.com/genset/starter.jpg

Wow thanks for the information.... very very very helpful.

When woudl i know that i have to change my altinator and starter?

[Big Joe]

^ it shouldnt have to been for a while

[Dave C]

you shouldn't have to change them unless your car won't start...

one exception, if you put lots of aftermarket stuff (ie neons all around, huge subs, etc) then you might wanna get a larger alternator so your headlights won't dim.

[stevenr2185]

how long does it take to turn over? are you having to hold for quite awhile?

[dtufino]

Originally posted by stevenr2185
how long does it take to turn over? are you having to hold for quite awhile?

About 3 to 5 seconds... makes a whinding sound, and then starts is this normal, i'm a Automobile Retard....

lol

[tenspeed]

Dee, we all started out knowing nothing. Here's a link that can get you up to speed on the automotive basics and functions.

http://autorepair.about.com/od/autorepair12/index.htm?terms=automotive+basics