How does a vehicles ignition system work?

1. Ignition Systems

2. Ignition System Types
 Points and Condenser
 Electronic Ignition
 DIS Distributorless Ignition System
 Coil on plug (COP)
All Systems have a primary and secondary circuits
• Primary wires go to the coil (Low-Voltage)
• Secondary wires are from the coil (High-Voltage)

3. Magnetic Induction

4. Ignition Coil

5. Points and Condenser

6. Points and Condenser

7. Distributor Cap and Wires

8. Points and Condenser System

9. Ignition System

10. Electronic Ignition

11. Electronic Ignition

12. DIS (Distributorless Ignition)
Ground signal
from PCM
12v Battery
voltage

13. Waste Spark

14. Coil On Plug
12v battery power
Ground signal
from PCM.

15. Spark Plugs-Single Electrode

16. Spark Plugs-Dual Electrode

17. Spark Plugs-Four Electrode

18. ???????

19. Copper Spark Plug

20. Platinum Spark Plug
Single Platinum Double Platinum

21. Iridium Spark Plug

22. Heat Range

23. Heat Range

24. Diagnosis

25. Which one is inside YOUR
engine right now?

26. Ignition Timing
 Timing light is hooked
up to #1 spark plug
wire
 Timing is checked at
crank shaft balancer
 Adjusted by turning
distributor (not
adjustable on DIS or
COP systems)

27. The Reason for Ignition Timing
 As “Load” and
RPM change so
must timing
 Low LOAD needs
more timing
 High LOAD needs
less timing
 Low RPM needs
less timing
 High RPM needs
more timing

28. The Reason for Ignition Timing

29. The Reason for Ignition Timing

30. Timing Too Advanced
 Hard starting (bite-back), starter damage
 Engine “Ping”
 Engine runs “Hot”
 Increases HC emissions
 Increases Nox emissions

31. Timing Too Retarded
 Lowers HC
 Poor gas mileage
 Causes loss of power
 Can make hard to start
 Lowers engine vacuum

32. Inputs-Outputs (The Magic)

33. The End