IGNITION SYSTEMS
IGNITION FUNCTION
Produces 30,000 volt spark across
spark plug
Distributes high voltage spark to each
spark plug in correct sequence
Times the spark so it occurs as piston
is nearing top dead center
Varies spark timing with load, speed,
and other conditions
BASIC IGNITION SYSTEM
COMPONENTS
BATTERY
IGNITION SWITCH
IGNITION COIL
SWITCHING DEVICE
SPARK PLUG
IGNITION SYSTEM WIRES
Battery supplies
BASIC IGNITION
power to entire system SYSTEM
Ignition Switch turns
engine on or off
Coil transforms volts
Switching device
triggers ignition coil
Spark Plug and wires
distribute spark
PRIMARY CIRCUIT
Consists of low
voltage wiring and
components
Uses conventional
type automotive
primary wires
Controls when
ignition will take
place. (When coil
fires)
SECONDARY CIRCUIT
Distributes current
to individual
cylinders to jump
spark plug gap
Must have thicker,
heavier insulation on
wires
Typical voltage to
jump gap - 10K Volts
IGNITION COIL
TRANSFORMER
2 SETS OF
WINDINGS
– Primary windings
– Secondary
windings
IRON CORE
PRODUCES
MAGNETIC FIELD
IGNITION SYSTEM TYPES
CONTACT POINT IGNITION SYSTEM
ELECTRONIC IGNITION SYSTEM
DISTRIBUTORLESS IGNITION
SYSTEM
CONTACT POINT SYSTEM
Distributor turns 1/2
engine rpm
Distributor Cam
Contact Points
Condenser
Point Dwell (Cam
angle)
Basis for all
Systems
DWELL (CAM ANGLE)
Amount of time in
distributor degrees
that points remain
closed between
each opening
Coil saturation
time is controlled
by amount of dwell
ELECTRONIC IGNITION
SYSTEM
Uses electronic
control circuit to
operate the
ignition coil
More dependable
than contact
system
Higher secondary
Ignition voltages
MAGNETIC PICK UP COIL
Produces tiny
voltage pulses to
create magnetic field
changes
Trigger Wheel
interrupts magnetic
field
Tell control unit
(amplifier) when to
fire ignition coil
Hall Effect element is HALL EFFECT
a solid state device
Contains a permanent DEVICE
magnet next to
element
A Tab shunts
magnetic field to
send signal to control
unit
Signal is On or Off
IGNITION CONTROL UNIT
AMPLIFIER
Controls Primary current to tell Ignition
Coil when to fire spark plugs
HIGH VOLTAGE
IGNITION COILSECONDARY
COIL WIRE
COMPONENTS
DISTRIBUTOR
DISTRIBUTOR CAP
DISTRIBUTOR ROTOR
SPARK PLUG WIRE
SPARK PLUG
SECONDARY CIRCUIT
DISTRIBUTES SPARK TO RIGHT PLACE
AT RIGHT TIME
PARTS ARE DESIGNED TO CONTROL
HIGH VOLTAGES
SPARK PLUGS
Pg 121C
1.Normal 1 2 3 4 5
2.Overheated
3.Pre-ignition
4.Cracked 6 7 8 9 10
insulator
5.Bridged gap
6.Deposit
fouled
7.Carbon
glazed
8.Splashed
9.Glazed
10. Oil fouled
SPARK PLUG TYPES
DISTRIBUTORLESS
IGNITION
Timing is very precise
No mechanical parts to wear out
Requires less maintenance
Ignition timing is USUALLY not adjustable
Computer relies on ignition sensors
On-board computer controls ignition
timing usually through a ignition module
DISTRIBUTORLESS
IGNITION SYSTEM
DIS System
THE END