What are the four types of ignition system?
Currently, we recognize four types of ignition systems used in most cars and trucks: conventional breaker-point ignitions, high energy (electronic) ignitions, distributor-less (waste spark) ignition and coil-on-plug ignitions.
How does a distributor ignition system work?
As the engine rotates, the distributor shaft cam turns until the high point on the cam causes the breaker points to separate suddenly. Instantaneously, when the points open (separate) current flow stops through the primary windings of the ignition coil. This causes the magnetic field to collapse around the coil.
What are the two types of ignition systems?
There are three basic types of automotive ignition systems: distributor-based, distributor-less, and coil-on-plug (COP). Early ignition systems used fully mechanical distributors to deliver the spark at the right time.
What is Distributorless ignition system?
A distributorless ignition system is a type of ignition system, that is consists of multiple induction coils instead of having a distributor of an electronic ignition system. This is very different from the traditional and electronic ignition systems. The coils rest on top of the spark plugs.
What sends power to the distributor?
The ignition coil is the part of your engine that produces high voltage in order to power your cylinders. The distributor is what gets that high voltage from the coil to the right cylinder. The connection is accomplished through a cap and rotor.
What does TCI engine stand for?
A Transistor Coil Ignition (TCI) type of an Inductive Discharge Ignition (IDI) system is an electronic ignition system used in internal combustion engines. An ignition system provides a high-voltage spark in each of the engine’s cylinders to ignite the air-fuel mixture.
How does a pulser coil work?
The Pulser Coil is an important component in an engine’s timing & ignition system. The Pulser Coil, (often called Pickup Coil, or Timing Coil) is responsible for providing the timing signal to the ignition control box on modern motorcycles with solid-state ignition systems.
What is the oldest type of ignition system?
The oldest type of ignition system is the conventional breaker-point ignition system, which sometimes is also called mechanical ignition systems. It has been used since the early days of the automobile industry, especially through the 1970s.
How does an electronic ignition system work?
How Electronic Ignition Works Like early breaker-point ignition systems, electronic systems have two ignition coils and accordingly two circuits, a primary circuit and a secondary circuit. The part of the primary circuit from the battery to the battery terminal at the primary coil stays unchanged, as well as the entire secondary circuit.
What is a high energy ignition system?
Manufacturers came up with a high energy ignition system that relied less on mechanical workings: the electronic ignition system. The breaker points in earlier systems would break down and mess up spark timing, negatively affecting the engine’s performance and would require replacement as often as every 12,000 miles.
Are all types of ignition systems easy to maintain?
Even as they do, all the four types of ignition system are still easy to maintain and repair, and well-suited for the vehicles of their own era. To learn more about important components in your precious vehicle and how they work, dive into our comprehensive maintenance tips articles.