Auto Parts That Start With W

Written by

CarParts.com Research Team

Automotive and Tech Writers

Updated on September 20th, 2024

Reading Time: 10 minutes

Walk Plate Spring Release Handle

A walk plate spring release handle is a part of a truck’s walk plate, which is a component behind the cab that covers inaccessible spaces. The spring release handle is a part that allows the component to be adjusted so that the fifth wheel can function. The fifth wheel is the part where trailers are latched on. The release handle unlocks the walk plate, and it is typically made of die cast aluminum to be resistant to rust and corrosion.

Warning Light

The warning light is a small light that switches on when the part associated with it develops an issue. Most warning lights are on the dashboard, although some of them can be found on the part itself. Many parts and systems use warning lights to get your attention and inform you that something has gone wrong with them. Examples of warning lights include the power steering warning light and the seat belt warning light.

System

Warning Lights

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Warning Light Sending Unit

The Warning Light Sending Unit is a pressure switch that triggers your dashboard warning lights to alert you of issues that can damage your engine. There are different types of warning light switches for different systems of your vehicle, such as sending units for oil pressure, water temperature, and oil temperature gauges. When the sending unit detects an issue with your vehicle’s oil pressure, for example, it activates your oil pressure warning light.

System

Warning Lights

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Wash Mitt

A Wash Mitt is a cloth tool used for scrubbing vehicle exteriors. It’s typically made to fit over a user’s hand with a wrist strap or band in place to keep it from slipping off. These mitts come in different shapes and sizes. Most wash mitts cover the entire hand in a single compartment, but other designs have separate compartments for individual fingers or the thumb and four fingers. Some are flat while others have mop-like tendrils. Wash mitts are typically made from microfiber cloth and woolen materials.

System

Maintenance

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Washer Fluid Level Sensor

A washer fluid level sensor measures the amount of washer fluid in the reservoir. This component is a contactless capacitive sensor. In some vehicles, it sends a signal to the powertrain control module (PCM) whenever it detects low washer fluid levels. As a result, the lower washer fluid warning on the instrument cluster lights up.

If the washer fluid level sensor fails, the washer system might fail to operate or even overheat due to low fluid levels.

System

Car Body

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Washer Hose

The washer hose is a part that conveys windshield washer fluid from the washer pump to the windshield washer nozzles, which spray the cleaning fluid on the windshield glass. This part might be needed to replace a loose or degraded hose that leaks windshield washer fluid. Washer hoses sit between the washer pump and windshield washer nozzles. The washer pump needs the washer hoses to deliver windshield washer fluid to the nozzle, which will spray it on the car glass.

System

Car Body

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Washer Nozzle Cover

The Washer Nozzle Cover is the plastic casing that fits over a vehicle’s windshield washer nozzle. It protects the washer nozzle from the elements, such as dust and debris, while also providing a sleeker look to the vehicle’s hood. Without it, the washer nozzle would easily get dirty, leading to clogs and uneven spray patterns against a vehicle’s windshield. The washer nozzle cover is typically made out of plastic and black in color.

System

Accessories

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Washer Pump

The Washer Pump is an important component of your car washer. It pumps cleaning fluid from the washer tank to the washer nozzle through the washer hose. This allows the washer to effectively clean your windshield. The water pump’s exact location can vary depending on the vehicle, but you can typically find it inside the washer tank. The washer pump starts working as soon as you press the washer button. Check the washer pump regularly to maintain its good condition.

System

Car Body

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Washer Reservoir

The washer reservoir is a container made from polyethylene plastic that holds the fluid that cleans the windshield. The reservoir is built to resist ethanol and antifreeze.

System

Car Body

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Washer Reservoir Level Sensor

The washer reservoir level sensor monitors the amount of washer fluid left in the reservoir. In some vehicles, if the washer fluid level drops to a certain amount, a warning light will appear on the dashboard.

System

Car Body

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Wastegate Actuator

A Wastegate Actuator regulates the boost output that comes from the turbocharger. It acts like a pressure release valve, diverting exhaust gases from the turbine wheel.

Diverting the exhaust gases lets the actuator control the turbine speed and compressor and prevents the turbocharger from overspeeding.

System

Engine

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Water Pipe Gasket

Vehicle water pipes connect various cooling system components, such as the radiator and water pump, to the engine. Water pipe gaskets seal the connection between the water pipes and other components. These gaskets are typically made using flexible materials like rubber. The water pipe gasket is heat resistant and durable since it’s usually exposed to high temperatures and pressure. The water pipe gasket’s seal is crucial in maintaining the cooling system’s function, as failed gaskets can easily compromise engine cooling and result in crippling damage.

System

Cooling System

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Water Pipe O-Ring

The Water Pipe O-Ring is a ring-shaped seal or gasket in between the water pipe and another component. Also known as water hoses, water pipes are flexible hollow tubes that allow automotive fluids to flow from one component to another. The water pipe o-ring prevents these fluids from leaking. It’s easy to produce, so you can usually get one at a cheap price. Most o-rings are basically just rubber rings that can withstand high temperatures and pressures.

System

Cooling System

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Water Pressure Gauge

A Water Pressure Gauge is an instrument used to measure and keep track of liquid pressure in your vehicle’s cooling system. Once attached, it reads the force exerted and displays the reading in psi, bar, Torr, or Pascal. These gauges have separate fittings that can be attached for easier measuring. They come in different designs with faces and needles in different colors. They’re made of metal and are cylindrical in shape.

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DIY

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Water Pump

A Water Pump is the part of the cooling system that circulates coolant through the engine to regulate temperature. It’s mounted on the front of the engine and driven by a belt that also drives the alternator.

System

Cooling System

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Water Temperature Gauge

The Water Temperature Gauge warns drivers when an engine is operating outside of its optimum temperatures. It accomplishes this by letting drivers know when the engine is overheating or running too cool. This gauge is typically installed as an aftermarket accessory.

System

Engine

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Wheel Adapter

A Wheel Adapter is an aftermarket upgrade that pushes the wheels outward to create space. It also lets you install a wheel with a different bolt pattern.

Wheel adapters should always be bolted to the hub and placed on the thicker side. Installing wheel adapters might also require some modifications to the fender and caliper clearances.

System

Wheels and Tires

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Wheel Bearing

Wheel bearings are integral components of the wheel bearing assembly. They have a metal ring with metal balls or rollers that spin around the metal ring.

These bearings support the vehicle’s weight and allow the tires to rotate when you’re driving. They’re usually made to last the life of the vehicle.

Improper lubrication and contaminants can jeopardize the performance of the wheel bearings.

System

Wheels and Tires

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Wheel Center Cap

A Wheel Center Cap is a metal or plastic disc covering the center bore of the wheel to enhance its appearance. Wheel center caps also keep dirt and moisture out of the hole where the spindle nut and wheel bearings are found.

System

Wheels and Tires

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Wheel Cylinder

The wheel cylinder is the part that’s designed to extend and press the brake shoes against the brake drum. The friction generated when the brake shoe presses against the brake drum is what slows the vehicle down when you hit the brakes.

If the wheel cylinder is malfunctioning or damaged in any way, it can make braking slower and less effective because your brakes will be less responsive.

System

Braking System

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Wheel Hub

The Wheel Hub is the part of the vehicle responsible for housing the wheel bearings, sensors, brake rotors, and brake calipers. The wheel hub also connects the wheels to the vehicle, securing them with bolts and studs to prevent them from getting dislocated. Because of this, it greatly affects a driver’s ability to steer and control their vehicle. This component can be found between the car’s drive axle and brake drum.

System

Suspension

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Winch

A winch is a truck accessory that can help the vehicle pull itself out of a difficult situation. This could either be when the vehicle is stuck in mud, on a steep incline, or in a situation where it can’t move because of its engine power or grip. Winches work by rotating a spool that’s driven by a powerful motor. The cable typically has a hook at the end, which is attached to an object like a tree or rock. Winches are attached to a vehicle’s front or rear bumper.

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Accessories

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Winch Cable

The winch cable is a cable or rope that can recover a stuck vehicle. This part might be needed if you must replace the existing or stock cable wrapped around the car winch. Winch cables wrap around the winch spool, and they can pull your vehicle or other vehicles depending on their working load limit. The car winch provides the tension that enables the winch cable to pull loads.

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Accessories

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Winch Cover

The Winch Cover is a cover that protects a vehicle’s winch from water, dust, and ultraviolet (UV) damage. It fits snugly around the winch with a sewn-in elastic band that prevents it from getting blown off by the wind. Most winch covers are made of durable neoprene or nylon fabric, but you can also find some made of hard plastic. Winch covers come in different sizes, so you’ll have to find one that fits the dimensions of your vehicle’s winch.

System

Accessories

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Winch Disconnect Kit

The Winch Disconnect Kit is a set of wires, connectors, and other parts that can be used to make a winch detachable from a service vehicle. Instead of the winch being a semi-permanent fixture, it can be swapped around and placed on various different vehicles with the use of this kit. The wires included in the kit stretch down the length of the vehicle to connect the winch to the engine.

System

DIY

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Wiper Arm

Wiper Arms provide structural support to the wiper frames and blades. A special linkage connects the wiper motor to the wiper arm, allowing it to pivot to a certain range of motion.

System

Car Body

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Wiper Blade

The Wiper Blade keeps the windshield clean by removing rain, snow, ice, and other debris. There are four types of blades, namely: traditional flat blades, beam blades, winter blades, and hybrid blades.

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Car Body

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Wiper Cowl

The Wiper Cowl seals the gap between the vehicle’s hood and its windshield to prevent debris buildup and moisture buildup from the road. This slows the accumulation of these contaminants in the windshield wiper system and the cabin air filter.

Wiper cowls can also enhance a vehicle’s visual appeal.

System

Car Body

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Wiper Linkage

The Wiper Linkage is part of a vehicle’s windshield wiper system that connects the wiper motor to the wiper arms. This mechanism allows the arms to move back and forth across the windshield when the wipers are activated.

System

Car Body

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Wiper Motor

The Wiper Motor activates the linkage that moves the wiper arms back and forth. This small motor can usually be found on the firewall or under the cowl. Vehicles with a rear window wiper will have a separate motor from the front wipers.

A failing wiper motor can result in intermittent wiper operation.

System

Car Body

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Wiper Pivot Assembly

The Wiper Pivot Assembly houses the pivot points of vehicle wipers. It’s arguably the most sensitive part of the system due to the constant strain from friction generated by the wipers.

System

Car Body

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About The Author
Written By CarParts.com Research Team

Automotive and Tech Writers

The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.

Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.

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CarParts.com Research Team