Electronic Ignition System ComponentsThe components of an electronic ignition systemregardless of the manufacturer all perform the samefunctions.

Each manufacturer has it own preferredterminology and location of the components. The basiccomponents of an electronic ignition system are asfollows:TRIGGER WHEELThe trigger wheel, alsoknown as a reluctor, pole piece, or armature, isconnected to the upper end of the distributorshaft. The trigger wheel replaces the distributorcam. Like the distributor cam lobes, the teeth onthe trigger wheel equal the number of enginecylinders.PICKUP COILThe pickup coil, also known asa sensor assembly, sensor coil, or magneticpickup assembly, produces tiny voltage surgesfor the ignition systems electronic control unit.The pickup coil is a small set of windingsforming a coil.ELECRTONIC CONTROL UNIT AM-PLIFIERThe ignition system electroniccontrol unit amplifier or control module is an"electronic switch" that turns the ignition coilprimary current ON and OFF. The ECUperforms the same function as the contact points.The ignition ECU is a network of transistors,capacitors, resistors, and other electroniccomponents sealed in a metal or plastic housing.The ECU can be located (1) in the enginecompartment, (2) on the side of the distributor,(3) inside the distributor, or (4) under the vehicledash. ECU dwell time (number of degrees thecircuit conducts current to the ignition coil) isdesigned into the electronic circuit of the ECUand is NOT adjustable.Electronic Ignition System OperationWith the engine running, the trigger wheel rotatesinside the distributor. As a tooth of the trigger wheelpasses the pickup coil, the magnetic field strengthensaround the pickup coil. This action changes the outputvoltage or current flow through the coil. As a result, anelectrical surge is sent to the electronic control unit, asthe trigger wheel teeth pass the pickup coil.The electronic control unit

increases the electricalsurges into ON/OFF cycles for the ignition coil. Whenthe ECU is ON, current passes through the primarywindings of the ignition coil, thereby developing amagnetic field. Then, when the trigger wheel andpickup coil turn OFF the ECU, the magnetic fieldinside the ignition coil collapses and fires a sparkplug.Hall-Effect SensorSome electronic distributors have a magneticsensor using the Hall effect. When a steel shuttermoves between the two poles of a magnet, it cuts offthe magnetism between the two poles. The Hall-effectdistributor has a rotor with curved plates, calledshutters. These shutters are curved so they can passthrough the air gap between the two poles of themagnetic sensor, as the rotor turns. Like the triggerwheel, there are the same number of shutters as thereare engine cylinders.Each time a shutter moves through the air gapbetween the two poles of the magnetic sensor, it cutsoff the magnetic field between the poles. This actionprovides a signal to the ECU. When a shutter is not inthe way, the magnetic sensor is producing voltage.This voltage is signaling the ECU to allow current toflow through the ignition coils primary winding.However, when the shutter moves to cut off themagnetic field, the signal voltage drops to zero. TheECU then cuts off the current to the ignition coilsprimary winding. The magnetic field collapses,causing the coil secondary winding to produce a highvoltage surge. This high voltage surge is sent by therotor to the proper spark plug.IGNITION TIMING DEVICESIgnition timing refers to how early or late the sparkplugs fire in relation to the position of the enginepistons. Ignition timing must vary with engine speed,load, and temperature.Timing advance happens when the spark plugs firesooner than the compression strokes of the engine. Thetiming is set several degrees before top dead center(TDC). More time advance is required at higher speedsto give combustion enough time to develop pressure onthe power stroke.Timing retard happens when the spark plugs firelater on the compression strokes. This is the opposite oftiming advance. Spark retard is required at lowerspeeds and under high load conditions. Timing retardprevents the fuel from burning too much on thecompression stroke, which would cause spark knock orping