Automotive

Ignition Systems
Ignition System Purpose
Create a high voltage spark
Deliver the spark at correct time

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Ignition Timing
BTDC
ATDC
Engine RPM
Engine Load
Firing Order
Retard
Advance
Firing Order
Firing Order
1,3,4,2

1,2,5,4,3,2

1,5,6,3,4,2,7,8
Firing Order
Ignition System Circuits
Primary Circuit
(Low Voltage)
Ignition Switch
Resistor
Coil Primary Winding
Ignition Module
Pick-up Assembly
Secondary Circuit
(High Voltage)
Coil Secondary
Winding
Coil Wire
Distributor Cap &
Rotor
Plug Wires
Spark Plugs
Ignition Primary Circuit
Battery
Ignition Switch
Resistor
Coil Winding
Ignition Module
Pick-up Assembly
Low voltage side
Ignition Coils
Step-up transformer
Primary winding
Secondary winding
Uses electro-
magnetic induction
to operate
Magnetic field must
be built up and then
collapsed
Ignition Coil
High Voltage wire
+ Battery
- ign module
Primary Windings
Secondary Windings


Making & Breaking Fields
Ignition Modules
Old Systems Used
Breaker Points
Modules Contain a
Switching Transistor
Externally Mounted
Distributor Mounted
Ignition Pick-up
Assemblies
Can be mounted in one of
five different locations:

#1 Distributor
#2 Vibration Damper
#3 Flywheel
#4 Crankshaft
#5 Camshaft
Distributor
A mechanical timing
device
Drives off engine
camshaft
Can controls both
primary and
secondary circuits
May contain
advance units
The Rotor at Work
Rotates around to
DISTRIBUTE voltage
to each spark plug
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tion-system4.htm
Ignition Secondary Circuit
Coil Winding
Coil Wire
Distributor Cap &
Rotor
Spark Plug Wire
Spark Plug
Distributor Cap & Rotor
Cap fits on top of the
distributor housing
Made of lexon plastic
Has an index mark for
proper installation
Rotor fits on top of
distributor shaft
Also is indexed

Spark Plug Wires
Very high resistance
wire 1000 ohms per
inch
Mostly insulation
material
Small conductor
material
Must follow firing
order
Spark Plug Placement


Spark Plugs
Shell w/threads
Ceramic insulator
Center electrode
Side electrode
Plug gap
Heat range
Plug designation
Resistor Plugs
Heat Rages of Plugs
The difference
between a "hot" and
a "cold" spark plug
is in the shape of the
ceramic tip.
The difference between a "hot" and a "cold" spark plug is in the shape of the ceramtip.
The carmaker will select the right-temperature plug for each car.
Some cars with high-performance engines naturally generate
more heat, so they need colder plugs. If the spark plug gets too
hot, it could ignite the fuel before the spark fires; so it is important
to stick with the right type of plug for your car.

Spark Plugs tell a story
Normal Worn Lead Erossion Insulator Breakage

Minor Melting

Over Heating
Carbon
Fuel/Additive
Deposits
Lead Fouled
Lead Fouled
Oil

Old Breaker Point Ignition
Used 1920s - 1974
mechanical switch in
distributor
build-up - collapse
coil magnetic field
Points wear out
Must be replaced
each year
Breaker Point (dwell angle)
Breaker Point Parts

Making & Collapsing field
Electronic Ignition with
Distributor (HEI)
1970s
Transistor in ignition
module turns coil
on/ off
Module mounted
externally or in
distributor
Pick-up in distributor
High Energy Ignition (HEI)

Trigger Wheel
No Points
Rotating Reluctor
Wheel
Fewer Tune-Ups
More Efficient
Optical Trigger (Chrysler)
Photo Electric
Sensor
(Photo = Light)
CKPS (crankshaft position sensor)
Fewer Parts
No Points
No Distributor
No Rotor
Computer Controlled
More Efficient
Crank Trigger Wheel
Direct Ignition
No Distributor
One Coil for Two
Cylinders
Waste Spark System
One Plug Fires
Backwards
Wasted Spark
1
st
plug fires
forward
2
nd
fires backwards
Sister cylinders
Direct Ignition
Coil Over


Business End of the Ignition
System
Size
Reach
Heat Range
Spark.Air Gap
Ignition System
Maintenance
Replace Spark Plugs every
30,000mi/36mo
Inspect Cap and Rotor (replace if
necessary)
Inspect Spark Plug wires (replace if
necessary)
Check Firing Order
Check Ignition Timing (if necessary)
Timing
Engine Warm
At Idle
Defeat Advance
#1 Plug wire