IGNITION SYSTEMS

What is Ignition System ???

 The system in an internal-
combustion engine that produces
the spark
to ignite the mixture of fuel and air:
includes the battery, ignition coil,
distributor, spark plugs, and
associated switches and wiring.
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
 BASIC IGNITION SYSTEM
Battery supplies power
to entire system
Ignition Switch turns
engine on or off
Coil transforms
volts
Switching device
triggers ignition coil
Spark Plug and
wires distribute
spark
IGNITION COIL
 Transformer
 2 sets of windings
 Primary windings
 Secondary windings
 Iron core
 Produces magnetic
field
IGNITION SYSTEM TYPES

 Battery ignition system

Magneto ignition system
Distributor less ignition system
BATTERY IGNITION SYSTEM
 A battery ignition system has a 6- or 12-volt
battery charged by an engine-driven
generator to supply electricity, an ignition
coil to increase the voltage, a device to
interrupt current from the coil, a distributor to
direct current to the correct cylinder, and a
spark plug projecting into each cylinder.
 Current goes from the battery through the
primary winding of the coil, through the
interrupting device, and back to the battery.
 The primary circuit consist of the battery, ammeter,
ignition switch, primary coil winding, capacitor, and
breaker points. The function of these components are :

 Battery – Provides the power to run the system

Ignition switch – allows the driver to turn the system
on and off
Primary coil – produces the magnetic field to create
the high voltage in the secondary coil.
Breaker points – a mechanical switch that acts as
the triggering mechanism
Capacitor – protects the points from burning out.
 The Secondary circuit converts magnetic induction
into high voltage electricity to jump across the spark
plug gap, firing the mixture at the right time. The
function of the components are –

secondary coil – the part of the coil that creats

the high voltage electricity.
Rotor – spin around on the top of the distributor
shaft, and distributes the spark to the right spark
plug.
spark plug – Take the electricity from the wires and
give it an air gap in the combustion chamber to jump
across to light the mixture.
MAGNETO IGNITION SYSTEM
 The simplest form of spark ignition is that using
a magneto.
 An ignition magneto, or high tension magneto, is
a magneto that provides current for the ignition
system of a spark-ignition engine, such as a petrol
engine.
 The engine spins a magnet inside a coil, or, in the
earlier designs, a coil inside a fixed magnet, and also
operates
a contact breaker, interrupting the current and causing
the voltage to be increased sufficiently to jump a small
gap.
 The spark plugs are connected directly
from the magneto output.
 Rotor Arm
Magneto Unit
Spark Generation

Condenser

Power
Generation

Coil
Distribution

Contact
Magneto
Breaker

Ignition
Switch

IGNITION SYSTEM – Magneto System

 Typica Vacuum Advance
l
Distributor Diaphragm Adjustable
Vacuum Plate
Chamber
Cap

‘Points’
Body Inlet
Pressure Cam Adjuster

Centrifugal
Advance

Input
Centrifugal
Shaft Weights

IGNITION SYSTEM – Distributor

 Cap Connector

Ceramic Body

Hexagon

Outer Casing

Copper Sealing Gasket

Securing Thread
Gap
Outer
Electrode

IGNITION SYSTEM – Spark Plug

Distributorless Ignition Systems

• Operation

• Developments

• Testing
Distributorless Ignition Systems
The principles of operation are basically no different
than those for distributor equipped electronic ignition
systems that began appearing on American automobiles
in 1972.

There are 2 obvious differences:

• A DI system does not have a mechanical distributor.

•Most DI systems use one coil for every two spark

plugs (however some systems have one coil per
cylinder i.e. BMW).
In operation the only major difference is that DI systems
fire all of the engines spark plugs in ONE crankshaft
revolution,
whereas the old mechanical distributor type fires all plugs
every TWO crankshaft revolutions.

On all four stroke engines, equipped with or with out

distributors require TWO crankshaft revolutions (720°
travel) for the combustion to occur on each cylinder.

On engines with an even number of cylinders, combustion

occurs in half of the cylinders in the first revolution (360°)
and in the other half in the second half of the revolution.
Each cylinder that has combustion in the first revolution has
a companion cylinder that fires 360° apart from it during the
second revolution.
Layout +
ECU

Primary

Secondary
Primary

Secondary

NGK
NGK NGK NGK
CONTACT POINT SYSTEM
Distributor turns 1/2
engine rpm
Distributor Cam
Contact Points
Condenser
Point Dwell (Cam
angle)
Basis for all Systems
IGNITION SYSTEM TROUBLESHOOTING
Problem Possible causes and/or solutions
No spark out of the coil Possible open in the ignition switch
circuit
Possible defective ignition module
(if electronic ignition coil) Possible
shorted condenser
Weak spark out of the coil Possible high-resistance coil wire or
spark plug wire
Possible poor ground between the
distributor or module and the
engine block
Engine missing Possible defective (open) spark plug
wire Possible
worn or fouled spark plugs
Possible defective pickup coil
Possible defective module
Possible poor electrical connections
at the pickup coil and/or module
IGNITION SYSTEM TYPES

 Battery ignition system

Magneto ignition system
Distributor less ignition system
 THE IGNITION
SYSTEM’s MAIN
COMPONENTS
PURPOSE

The purpose of the ignition

system is to create an
electric spark in the engine
combustion chamber, at
exactly the right time, which
will ignite the mixture of
petrol and air
MAIN COMPONENTS
The ignition system is made up of the
following main components: Battery,
ignition switch, coil, contact points,
condenser, distributor, sparking plugs
and cables. The main components
which are obviously associated with
the ignition system
The coiI is normally located
in the engine compartment
on a body or engine bracket
close to the distributor. Its
purpose is to transform the
low voltage from the battery
to a high voltage for
producing a spark.
The distributor is located on the
engine and has a central shaft which
is driven at half engine speed from the
camshaft. Its purpose is to act as an
automatic switch in the low tension
circuit and to direct the electricity from
the coil to the correct sparking plug at
exactly the right time.
The sparking plug or plugs, in the
case of a multi-cylinder engine, are
screwed into the cylinder head and
protrude slightly into the combustion
chamber. The high tension current
must jump the gap at the points and in
so doing creates a spark which ignites
the mixture
IGNITION CIRCUIT
OPERATION
Low Tension (Points closed)
With the ignition switched on and the contact points
closed, current (at battery voltage) flows through the
primary windings and through the contact points to
earth. This current flow creates a magnetic field
around the primary winding. As the engine rotates
the distributor cam opens the contacts and the
current ceases to flow. (The condenser ensures a
rapid collapse of the magnetic field and in doing so
prevents 'arcing' at the contacts.)
High Tension (Points open)
Stopping the low tension current flow
causes a rapid collapse of the magnetic
field. This collapse induces a high voltage
into the secondary winding which forces a
current along the high tension lead to the
rotor arm, which at that moment is in line
with a segment in the distributor cap. The
current is then directed from the segment,
along the lead to the sparking plug; where
it jumps the gap and creates the spark.
The next figure shows two different types of
ignition system. A-- A conventional contact
or breaker point type. B--An electronic
ignition system which incorporates a
breaker-less style distributor.
IGNITION SYSTEM
SERVICE

PREPARED BY: RUEL L. MONTEFOLKA

OBJECTIVE
S • Identify common ignition
system parts with problems;
• Check and diagnose
ignition system parts;
• Perform servicing
ignition systems
appropriately.
IGNITION SYSTEM SERVICE AND
REPAIRS
The purpose of the ignition system is to ignite, or
fire, the spark plugs in order to generate power to run
the engine. To do so, the battery sends current to the
ignition coil. Then that high voltage goes on to the
spark plugs — either through a distributor, if you have
an older vehicle, or directly to the spark plugs, if you
have a newer one.
As an Automotive Technician it is important to have
a periodic maintenance check up for the ignition
system and parts.
 BATTERY

One of the Major parts of the

Ignition System that sometimes
neglected in terms of checking
and servicing.
Check for battery connectors
and loose ground wires or any
wires connected to the battery
terminal in connection to the
electrical components…
Fluctuating current flow will
damage the sensitive electric
circuits. Make sure to include
and conduct a periodic checking
in the b a t t e r y …  
 IGNITION SWITCH CHECKING
The ignition switch is the master switch
that provides power for the vehicle's
electrical accessories, computer, fuel and
ignition systems. It also routes current from
the battery to the starter to crank the engine.

1. Check the Status of the Switch if the

light indicators in the panel/dash board
addresses the correct position of the KEY.
2. Problems Starting and Running Your
Vehicle. (No response in starting)
3. Overheating Switch ( This may cause for
grounded circuits)
BALLAST RESISTOR CHECKING
A device that protects the ignition
coil… it the one that prevents the
coil from overheating or
damaging due to the high surge
during starting.
Check for the continuity of
current flow through the coil and
its resistance enough to protect
the coil from high surge current
supply during starting. You can
use multimeter/tester for the
resistance and continuity.
 IGNITION COIL CHECKING
To test the ignition coil connect the
ohmmeter's two test leads to the coils primary
terminals (+ and -). Most coils should read
between 0.4 and 2 ohms. Zero resistance would
indicate a shorted coil while a high resistance
reading would indicate an open coil.

Secondary resistance is measured between

the positive (+) terminal and high voltage output
terminal. Newer coils with segmented
construction typically read 6,000 to 8,000 ohms,
core
while others can may read as high as 15,000
ohms.
On coils that are not a can style, the primary
terminals may be located in a connector or even
under the coil. Refer to the
WARNING!!!
Never pull off a plug wire or the
coil's high voltage output wire to
test for a spark. Besides risking a
severe shock, an open plug wire
or coil wire will increase the
voltage demands on the coil to
the point where it may damage
the coil. The only safe way to
test for spark is to use a spark
plug tester tool.

manufacturer's
vehicle service information for the
terminal locations and ignition coil test
procedures.
CONTACT POINTS/CONDENSER
CHECKING
Refer to Info Sheet No.
2.5.1
Check the burning around
the breaker points. If no
burning or arcing the
condenser is literally in good
condition. However, if it is
opposite you have to replace
the condenser for safety
purposes…
Current passing through
the contacts burns away
one of them and deposits a
peak of metal on the other.
DISTRIBUTOR IGNITION
CHECKING/SERVICES
1.DISTRIBUTOR IGNITION SYSTEMS
-Unique maintenance requirements
2.DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND
ROTOR SERVICE
-Distributor is cracked: carbon trail often
forms
-Excessive resistance in secondary
system: creates a hole at the tip of the
rotor
-Distributor cap has an aligning feature
 SPARK PLUGCABLE
CHECKINGSPARK PLUG CABLES.
1. REMOVING
- Must be a careful operation application.
2. DETERMINE INTERNAL
STRUCTURE OF A CABLE IS
SOUND.
- Check continuity and resistance with
an ohmmeter
3. CHECK CABLE ENDS FOR
POSSIBLE DEFECTS.
- Terminal is crimped tightly to the cable
4. SPARK PLUG CABLES BOOT
- Installed in the holes around the distributor cap.

CHECK IF THE CABLES ARE STILL GOOD

OR DURABLE ENOUGH.
 SPARK PLUG
SERVICE
-Use correct replacement plugs
-Use the correct spark plug
heat range
-Check the size of the threads
-Check to see if the old spark plug
used a gasket
-Check the reach or thread length
-Tapered seat plugs can
be difficult to remove

IMPORTANT POINTS!!!
1. TEMPERATUREOF SPARK
PLUG
-Relates directly to combustion
chamber temperature
2.CONDITION OF USEDSPARK
PLUGS
a.Indicates condition of engine and fuel
system
b.Spark plug wear
-Some use double platinum plugs
-Worn rounded electrode more
surface area to be charged
c.Fouled plugs
-Oil and ash deposits

SPARK PLUG
SPARK PLUG DIAGNOSIS
(CONT’D.)
1.Checking and adjusting the spark plug gap
2.Gap is set at the manufacturers standard
specification.
3.Always double-check before installation.
 REFERENCES
• http://what-when-how.com/auto-repair/the-ignition-system-auto-
repair/
• https://ww
w.howacarworks.com/ignition-system/fitting-and-
adjusting-contact-breaker-points
• Ignition System Overview
by Mark Davidson (http://www.auto-repair-
help.com/automotive_maintenance/ignition_system.php
)
•https://www.google.com.ph/search?
q=distributor+assembly&dcr=0&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X
&ved=0ahUKEwj5_4qs1YbYAhUBlpQKHQaNDWUQ_AUICigB
&biw=1366&bih=700