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 HALL EFFECT
is a solid state
device DEVICE
 Contains a
permanent 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