ELECTROLYTE- Liquid that surrounds the plates of a battery and allows a free flow of electrons.

ELECTRONIC ADVANCE- A system that uses sensor input and the computer of the vehicle to control spark timing.

ELECTRONIC IGNITION SYSTEM- One that uses an electronic control circuit and distributor pickup coil.

ELECTRONIC IGNITION TESTER- Instrument use to identify source of ignition problems.

ELECTRONIC MODULES- Small computers in a vehicle, used for specific systems (such as anti-lock brakes).

ELECTRONIC REGULATOR- Solid-state regulator separate from the alternator.

ELEMENT- One of the cells that can be combined to form a battery.

EMERGENCY BRAKE- Mechanical means of applying the rear brakes.

EXTENSION HOUSING- A separate housing bolted to the transmission housing, containing the output shaft and rear oil seal.

FACE- Area of a gear tooth above the pitch line.
FAST CHARGER- One that provides a high current flow for quickly recharging a battery.

FIELD FRAME- Housing on a motor that holds the field coils.

FIXED CALIPER- Brake caliper rigidly mounted to the steering knuckle.

FLOATING CALIPER- Brake caliper mounted on two rubber bushings, allowing some movement.

FORWARD BIAS- Arrangement in which a diode acts as a conductor.

DWELL- The amount of time distributor points remain closed between openings.

DWELL METER- One that measures point setting in degrees of distributor rotation.

DYNAMIC IMBALANCE- Tire imbalance that causes both up-and-down and side-to-side movement while rotating.

ECM- Electronic control module, another name for an automotive computer.

ECU- Electronic control unit, another name for an automotive computer.
FRAME- The strong steel structure that supports the body of the vehicle.

FRONT DRIVE AXLES- Shafts that transfer power from the transaxle differential to the wheels of the vehicle.

FULLY SYNCHRONIZED TRANSMISSION- One in which all forward gears are equipped with synchronizers to allow downshifting while in motion.

FUSE- A device that interrupts current if a circuit is overloaded or a short occurs.

FUSE BLOCK- A boxlike unit that holds the fuses for the various electric circuits in a vehicle.

FUSIBLE LINK- A type of circuit protector in which a special wire melts to open the circuit when current is excessive.

GEAR BACKLASH- Small amount of clearance between meshing gear teeth.

GEARBOX OVERHAUL- The disassembly, cleaning, adjusting, and replacing parts as necessary.

GEARBOX RATIO- The relationship (number of turns) between the steering wheel and the sector gear.

GEAR CLASH- Noise that is heard when gears fail to mesh properly in a manual transmission.

GEAR OIL- A high viscosity oil (80W or 90W) used for manual transmissions and differentials.

GEAR RATIO- The number of rotations a driving gear must make while the driven gear is completing one revolution.

GEAR REDUCTION- The situation in which a small gear is used to drive a larger gear with an increase in torque as a result.

GRABBING BRAKES- Abrupt, hard application of brakes when the brake pedal is slightly depressed.

GREASE SEAL- Component that prevents lubricant leaking from the axle assembly into the steering knuckle or bearing support.

GROUND- The return path for current in an electrical circuit.

GROWLER- Testing device used to check armatures for shorts.

HALL EFFECT- A type of pickup used with many electronic ignition systems.

HALOGEN LAMP- One with a small, high intensity halogen lamp inside a conventional sealed housing.

HARD STEERING- Greater than normal effort required to turn the steering wheel.

HARD TO SHIFT- A manual transmission problem often caused by damaged or sticking linkage.

HARSH SHIFTS- Transmission changes gears in a jerky manner.

HEADLAMP SYSTEM- Components, such as battery, switches, fuses, and lamps that make up the headlamp lighting circuit.

HEADLIGHT AIMER- A device used to adjust headlights to specific positions.

HEADLIGHT AIMING SCREEN- Set of measured lines on a wall, used to adjust headlight aim.

HEAT SINK- A device for absorbing heat from one medium and transferring it to another.

HORN RELAY- A relay connected between the battery and the horn.

HOTCHKISS DRIVE- Open drive shaft that operates a rear axle assembly mounted on springs. The most common rear wheel drive type.

HOT PLUG- A spark plug with a long insulator tip, often used in older engines.

HUB- Mounting place for a vehicle wheel on the end of the axle or spindle.

HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER- Braking system booster actuated by hydraulic pressure from the power steering pump.

HYDROMETER- Tool used to test for specific gravity (and thus, battery charge).

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