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This guide collects the specification and buying detail behind our electrical, ignition & sensors catalogue. For wholesale quotations, browse the catalogue, send part numbers through a parts list upload or request product sourcing for items that are not listed online.
What this category covers
- Ignition and starting aids: glow plugs for diesel engines, spark plugs and ignition coils for gasoline engines.
- Sensors: crankshaft and camshaft position, MAF and MAP, coolant temperature, oxygen and air-fuel ratio, fuel rail pressure, EGT and DPF pressure, knock and wheel speed sensors.
- Charging and starting: alternators, starter motors, voltage regulators and repair components.
- Control and protection: relays, switches, fuses and connectors.
- Body electrical: lighting components and bulbs, horns, wiper motors and blower motors.
- Wiring: harness repair sections, terminals and wiring components.
12V and 24V systems
Pickups, SUVs and vans use 12V systems. Medium- and heavy-duty trucks and many buses use 24V systems with two 12V batteries in series, and some light trucks use 12V or 24V depending on market and model. Voltage is the first specification to confirm on starters, alternators, relays, bulbs, horns and motors. Trucks such as the Hino 500 are generally 24V, while the Isuzu NPR family has been built with both systems depending on market and version, so it must be checked per vehicle.
Operating conditions
Heat, vibration, dust and water crossings are hard on electrical parts. Alternators and starters on pickups are mounted low and are exposed to mud and water; connectors corrode in humid climates; poor-quality batteries and loose terminals damage alternators and voltage regulators. Aftermarket accessories such as winches, lights and fridges on 4x4s increase electrical load.
Diesel-specific parts
Common-rail diesel engines rely on accurate crankshaft and camshaft position sensors, fuel rail pressure sensors and, on newer emission levels, EGR, DPF and NOx sensors. Glow plug systems use controllers and, on some engines, afterglow functions to reduce smoke and noise after start. Pickups such as the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger have progressed through several emission levels, each with different sensor configurations.
Identification
OEM number, connector type and pin count, voltage, and physical dimensions are essential. Visual similarity is not enough for sensors; resistance, signal type and calibration differ. Starters and alternators require mounting, pulley and terminal details. Use RFQ upload with photos of connectors and labels when references are unclear.
Buying and specification checklist
Basic data for every line
- OEM number and, for rotating electrics, the manufacturer's part number from the unit label.
- Voltage: 12V or 24V.
- Connector: type, shape, pin count and keying; photos help.
- Vehicle and engine code, including emission level for sensors.
New, remanufactured and repairable
Starters and alternators are available new or remanufactured. Remanufactured units typically involve core returns, which complicate export logistics; many importers buy new units or components for local rebuilding. Decide which model suits your market. Component lines such as regulators, brushes, bearings, solenoids and bendix drives support local repair shops.
Sensors
Treat sensors as calibrated parts. Ask suppliers for signal type (Hall-effect, inductive, NTC, piezoresistive), resistance or output range, and connector details, and test samples on vehicles before volume orders. Incorrect sensors create comebacks that are difficult to diagnose.
Quality and compliance
- Check sealing (IP ratings where stated), terminal plating and housing material.
- Lighting may require local approval markings in regulated markets; importers should verify.
- Keep batch codes for warranty traceability.
Packaging
Starters and alternators are heavy and should be boxed individually with protected terminals and pulleys. Sensors and glow plugs need individual boxes to protect tips, threads and connectors. Bulbs and fuses are small and suit retail packaging.
Consolidation
Electrical parts are high-value for their size and combine easily with other lines in a mixed container.
Product types in detail
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mixture in gasoline engines. They are simple high-volume service items but carry several technical specifications that must match the engine for correct performance and engine safety. Browse spark plugs in the catalogue.
Electrode types
- Nickel alloy (copper core) – conventional plugs with shorter service life; standard on older engines.
- Single platinum – platinum tip on the center electrode for longer life.
- Double platinum – platinum on both electrodes, used on some wasted-spark ignition systems.
- Iridium – fine-wire iridium center electrode; long service intervals and good ignitability. OE on many modern engines.
- Multi-ground electrode plugs – used on some engines for longer life.
Key specifications
- Thread diameter and reach – for example 14 mm or 12 mm thread; reach must match the cylinder head, or the plug can contact the piston or leave the chamber shrouded.
- Hex size – such as 16 mm or 14 mm.
- Seat type – gasket seat or taper seat.
- Heat range – determines how quickly the tip dissipates heat. A plug that is too hot can cause pre-ignition; too cold leads to fouling. Heat range numbers are not comparable across brands, so cross-reference tables are essential.
- Gap – often pre-set; fine-wire plugs should not be re-gapped aggressively.
- Resistor – most modern plugs contain a resistor to suppress radio and electronic interference.
Applications
Gasoline engines in SUVs, vans, passenger cars and some pickups, as well as motorcycles, generator sets and small engines. For diesel engines, see glow plugs. LPG and CNG conversions, common in some markets, increase plug wear and often call for specific plug types. Related: ignition coils.
Ordering checklist
- OEM number or plug code from the engine manufacturer's specification.
- Engine code and, where relevant, whether the vehicle runs on LPG or CNG.
- Thread, reach, hex, seat and heat range confirmed against the OEM specification.
- Electrode type: replace iridium or platinum OE plugs with equivalent long-life plugs; nickel plugs in their place shorten service intervals.
- Counterfeit risk: spark plugs are among the most counterfeited parts. Inspect packaging, printing, insulator markings and weight on samples, and buy through traceable channels.
- Packaging: individual boxes with electrode protection, grouped in inner cartons of four or six for retail sales.
- Stock planning: a relatively small number of plug codes cover a large share of gasoline engines, which makes deep stocking efficient.
- Customer information: cross-reference charts at counter level reduce heat-range errors.
- Motorcycle and small engine plugs: these form a separate high-volume segment with their own thread and reach combinations; plan them as a distinct stock group.
Glow Plugs
Glow plugs heat the combustion chamber to help diesel engines start and run cleanly when cold. Even in warm climates they matter: modern common-rail engines use preheating and afterglow to reduce white smoke, noise and emissions, and failed plugs can trigger warning lights and rough idle. Browse glow plugs in the catalogue.
Types
- Metal-sheath glow plugs – a heating coil inside a metal tube. Designs include single-coil plugs for older systems and dual-coil self-regulating plugs that heat quickly and then limit current.
- Low-voltage quick-heating plugs – designed to run below system voltage with a controller or resistor on some older indirect-injection engines. Fitting a plug with the wrong voltage rating leads to rapid failure.
- Ceramic glow plugs – reach higher temperatures faster and are used on some newer engines with controller-managed afterglow.
- Pressure-sensor glow plugs – integrate a combustion pressure sensor, used on a small number of engines.
- Intake air heaters – many truck engines use a grid heater in the intake instead of, or in addition to, glow plugs.
Specifications
Rated voltage, thread size (such as M10×1.25 or M8×1.0), overall length, sheath length and diameter, terminal type (threaded stud or plug connector), and heating time characteristics. Direct-injection engines typically use longer, slimmer plugs than older indirect-injection engines.
Applications and failure drivers
Diesel engines such as Toyota's 1KD and 1GD, Isuzu's 4JJ1 and Mitsubishi's 4D56 and 4N15 use glow plugs specific to their generation and control system. Failures come from over-voltage, failed controllers, carbon buildup and poor injector spray, and seized plugs can break during removal, which requires careful workshop practice. Pickups such as the Isuzu D-Max often have their plugs replaced as a set. Related: sensors.
Ordering checklist
- OEM number and engine code, including the emission level or production period.
- Voltage rating matched to the system and controller; do not substitute 11V plugs for low-voltage types or vice versa.
- Dimensions: thread, overall length, sheath length and diameter, terminal type.
- Technology: metal sheath or ceramic; controller-managed afterglow compatibility.
- Sets: most workshops replace all plugs together; supply in engine sets or in inner cartons matching cylinder count.
- Quality checks: consistent resistance within a batch, sheath straightness and thread quality.
- Packaging: individual tubes or boxes protecting the sheath tip, which bends or breaks easily in bulk packing.
- Workshop guidance: include torque values and advice on removing seized plugs with the engine warm.
- Controllers and relays: consider stocking glow plug controllers for the main engines, since failed controllers are a frequent root cause of repeated plug failure.
Engine & Vehicle Sensors
Engine and vehicle sensors provide the data that engine control units use to manage fuel injection, ignition, emissions and safety systems. Sensor faults are a common reason for warning lights, limp mode and no-start conditions, and incorrect replacements are one of the biggest sources of returns in electrical parts. Browse engine & vehicle sensors in the catalogue.
Main sensor groups
- Crankshaft and camshaft position sensors – inductive (two-wire, AC signal) or Hall-effect (three-wire, digital signal). Essential for engine start and injection timing.
- Air flow and pressure – mass air flow (MAF) sensors, often with integrated intake air temperature; manifold absolute pressure (MAP) and boost pressure sensors.
- Temperature – coolant, intake air, fuel and exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensors, mostly NTC thermistors or thermocouples.
- Exhaust and emissions – oxygen (lambda) and wide-band air-fuel ratio sensors on gasoline engines; DPF differential pressure, NOx and EGT sensors on newer diesel engines.
- Fuel system – fuel rail pressure sensors on common-rail diesels, water-in-fuel sensors, fuel level senders.
- Others – knock sensors, oil pressure switches and sensors, vehicle speed and wheel speed sensors, throttle and accelerator pedal position sensors.
Why exact matching matters
Sensors with identical housings may have different resistance curves, signal types, output ranges or connectors. The ECU software expects a specific characteristic. Diesel pickups such as the Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi Triton have evolved through several emission levels, each with sensor changes.
Failure drivers
Heat cycling, vibration, contamination from oil and soot, water ingress at connectors, damaged wiring, and secondary effects such as clogged DPFs or EGR systems. Replacing a sensor without diagnosing the root cause often results in a repeat failure. For ABS sensors, see ABS components.
Ordering checklist
- OEM number is essential; include engine code and emission level.
- Connector: type, pin count, keying and cable length for pigtail sensors.
- Technical data: signal type (inductive, Hall, NTC, piezoresistive), resistance or output range, thread size and sensing tip length.
- Sealing: O-rings or thread sealant included; heat-resistant cable where needed for exhaust sensors.
- Sample validation: test samples on vehicles with diagnostic equipment before volume orders, especially for crankshaft, camshaft, MAF and rail pressure sensors.
- Packaging: individual boxes or anti-static bags; protect sensing tips and connectors. Oxygen and EGT sensor cables should be coiled without sharp bends.
- Stock planning: concentrate on high-failure sensors for the dominant engine families rather than broad catalog coverage.
- Returns policy: agree a clear procedure with suppliers for sensors returned without fault, since misdiagnosis is common.
- Pigtails and connectors: stock matching pigtail repair connectors for high-failure sensors, since corroded connectors are often replaced at the same time.
Alternators
Alternators charge the battery and supply the electrical system while the engine runs. Demand on alternators has increased with electronic engine management, air-conditioning running constantly in hot climates, and accessories such as lights, winches and fridges on 4x4 pickups. Browse alternators in the catalogue.
Types and variants
- Output rating – light vehicles commonly range from around 70A to over 150A depending on equipment; trucks have 24V alternators with output matched to their systems.
- Vacuum pump alternators – many diesel pickups have a vacuum pump mounted on the rear of the alternator to supply the brake booster. The pump must be matched, and oil feed and return lines are part of the installation.
- Regulator type – internal regulators with L, S, IG and B terminals on many Japanese units; ECU-controlled (smart charging) alternators on newer vehicles with LIN or PWM control.
- Pulley type – V-belt pulley, ribbed pulley with rib count, or overrunning alternator pulley (OAP) or decoupler (OAD).
- Cooling – internal fan or external fan designs.
Specifications
Voltage, output amperage, rotation direction, pulley diameter and rib count, mounting ear positions and bolt sizes, connector type and pin layout, B+ terminal size, vacuum pump presence and outlet position.
Failure drivers
Worn brushes and bearings, diode and regulator failures, water and mud ingress on low-mounted units, and damage from poor battery connections or jump-starting. Oil leaks from vacuum pump seals can contaminate belts.
Applications
Diesel pickups such as the Ford Ranger and trucks such as the Hino 500 use application-specific units. Component parts are listed under alternator components.
Ordering checklist
- OEM number and label number from the existing unit.
- Voltage and amperage; confirm higher-output versions for vehicles with A/C or heavy accessory loads.
- Pulley: type, diameter and rib count; OAP/OAD where fitted.
- Mounting: ear positions, bolt sizes and clock position of connector and B+ terminal.
- Connector and charging control: conventional regulator terminals or ECU-controlled; pin functions.
- Vacuum pump: present or not, outlet orientation, oil line connections.
- New or remanufactured: consider core logistics before choosing remanufactured units for export.
- Testing: ask whether units are output-tested before packing and request test data for samples.
- Packaging: individual rigid boxes with foam or molded inserts; protect pulleys and terminals. Units are heavy, so check carton gross weights.
- Warranty: agree a procedure that requires battery and wiring checks before claims.
- Accessory loads: for 4x4 customers adding winches, lights and fridges, offer information on higher-output options where they share mounting and pulley dimensions.
Starter Motors
Starter motors crank the engine for starting. Diesel engines with high compression ratios need powerful starters, and work vehicles that start and stop frequently place heavy duty cycles on them. Browse starter motors in the catalogue.
Types
- Gear-reduction starters – a small high-speed motor drives the pinion through reduction gears. Lighter and more powerful for their size; standard on most modern Japanese vehicles.
- Planetary gear reduction – compact reduction starters with planetary gear sets.
- Direct-drive starters – the armature drives the pinion directly; found on older and some heavy-duty applications.
- 24V truck starters – high-output units, typically rated at several kilowatts, for medium and heavy trucks and buses.
Specifications
- Voltage and power rating (kW)
- Pinion tooth count and module, and pinion rotation (clockwise or counterclockwise)
- Mounting flange diameter and bolt hole arrangement
- Solenoid terminal layout and connector type
- Overall length and position of the solenoid relative to the flange
Failure drivers
Solenoid contact wear, brush wear, pinion and bendix drive wear, bearing wear, and water and mud ingress on low-mounted units, particularly after water crossings. Weak batteries and poor cable connections cause excessive current and heat, shortening starter life.
Applications
Diesel pickups such as the Toyota Hilux and trucks such as the Isuzu NPR require starters matched to the engine and transmission bellhousing. Manual and automatic versions of the same vehicle can use different starters. Starter repair parts are listed under starter components.
Ordering checklist
- OEM number and label number from the existing starter.
- Voltage and kW rating.
- Pinion: tooth count, module and rotation direction.
- Mounting: flange diameter, bolt holes and their positions; transmission type (MT/AT).
- Solenoid terminals: terminal sizes and connector.
- New or remanufactured: evaluate core return feasibility for export markets.
- Testing: request no-load and load test data for samples.
- Packaging: individual rigid boxes with pinion and terminal protection. Starters are heavy and dense; plan carton weights and position them low in container loads.
- Complementary lines: solenoids, brushes, bendix drives and armatures support local rebuild shops and reduce the need for complete units.
- Water exposure: for markets with frequent water crossings, ask whether sealed or better-protected versions exist for the main pickup references.
- Warranty procedure: require battery condition and cable voltage-drop checks before accepting claims. Many starters returned as faulty were damaged by weak batteries or corroded cables.
- Label accuracy: confirm that the label on each unit carries the reference, voltage and rating, since workshops identify replacement starters from the old unit's label.