BATTERY

IGNITION SYSTEMS
IGNITION FUNCTION
• Produces 30,000-40,000 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 BATTERY IGNITION SYSTEM
COMPONENTS
• BATTERY
• IGNITION SWITCH
• IGNITION COIL
• SWITCHING DEVICE
• SPARK PLUG
• IGNITION SYSTEM WIRES
 BASIC
Battery supplies power
IGNITION
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
Soft 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 Shaft
Cam
Breaker Points
Condenser
Point Dwell (Cam
angle)
Basis for all Systems
The contact breaker is operated by an engine-driven
cam, and the position of the contact breaker is set so
that it opens (and hence generates a spark) at
exactly the correct moment needed to ignite the fuel
at the top of the piston's compression stroke. The
contact breaker is usually mounted on a plate that is
able to rotate relative to the camshaft operating it.
The plate is rotated by a centrifugal mechanism, thus
advancing the ignition timing (making the spark occur
earlier) at higher revolutions. This gives the fuel time
to burn so that the resulting gases reach their
maximum pressure at the same time as the piston
reaches the top of the cylinder.
CONTACT POINT SYSTEM
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
ELECTRONIC IGNITION SYSTEM
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
DEVICE
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 COIL SECONDARY
• 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
SPARK PLUG OPERATION
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 DIAGRAM
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