CENTER SUPPORT BEARINGA ball or roller
bearing unit that supports the middle of a two-
piece drive shaft.
light, voltmeter, or ammeter used to show charging
CHARGINGCurrent flowing into a battery from an
CHARGING SYSTEMOne that uses an alternator
to replace the electrical energy drawn from the
battery during starting.
CHARGING SYSTEM OUTPUT TESTA
measurement of current and voltage output of the
charging system under load.
CHARGING VOLTAGEAlternator output that is
higher than battery voltage, between 13 to 15 volts.
CHASSISThe frame and other parts of a vehicle,
other than the body.
CIRCUIT RESISTANCE TESTMeasurements of
resistance in the insulated and ground circuits of
CLUTCHA device that allows the operator to
engage or disengage the engine and transmission.
CLUTCH ADJUSTMENTA process of setting the
correct amount of free play in the release
arrangement that uses a cable to transmit clutch
pedal movement to the clutch fork.
CLUTCH CHATTERA condition in which the
clutch severely vibrates as the vehicle accelerates.
CLUTCH DISCA disc that is splined to the
transmission input shaft and pressed against the
face of the flywheel.
CLUTCH FORKA lever that forces the throw-out
(release) bearing into the pressure plate of the
CLUTCH LININGFrictional material riveted to
the face of the clutch disc.
CLUTCH LINKAGEA mechanical arrangement
of levers and rods that transmits force from the
clutch pedal to the clutch fork.
CLUTCH PEDAL FREE PLAYThe distance the
clutch pedal moves before the throw-out bearing
acts on the pressure plate.
CLUTCH RELEASE MECHANISMA cable or
linkage permitting the operator to disengage the
clutch with the foot pedal.
CLUTCH SLIPPAGEA condition in which engine
rpm increase without increase in the vehicle road
CLUTCH START SWITCHA safety switch that
prevents the starting motor from operating until
the clutch is disengaged.
COILA transformer used to step-up the battery
voltage (by induction) to the high voltage required
to fire the spark plugs.
COIL SPRING COMPRESSORA tool used to
compress a spring for removal or installation on a
COIL WIREA conductor carrying high voltage
from the coil to the distributor.
COLD CRANKING RATINGThe amount of
current a battery can deliver for 30 seconds at 0°F.
functions as a metering valve, proportioning
valve, and a brake light warning switch.
between the motor winding and brushes.
COMMUTATOR END FRAMEThe end housing
on a motor that holds the brushes, brush springs,
and shaft bushing.
COMPUTERElectronic device used to control
many systems of modern vehicles.
COMPUTER-COIL IGNITIONA distributorless
ignition system using sensors, a control unit, and
multiple ignition coils.
COMPUTER VOLTAGE REGULATORA
device that provides a smooth dc voltage for
circuits and devices controlled by the computer.
CONDENSER An electrical component in contact
point of distributors that prevents arcing as points
that open and close.
CONSTANT VELOCITY U-JOINTOne that uses
two cross-and-roller joints connected by a
centering socket and center yoke.
CONTACT PATTERNThe area of a gear tooth
where the matching gear tooth physically contacts