A Counterpersons Guide To Ignition Sales

Topic: The job of the ignition system:

Ignition System Overview

The main function of any ignition system is to produce the electrical energy necessary to jump the gap at each spark plug at a precise time. Ignition systems use two circuits, the primary and the secondary. The primary circuit converts low system voltage to a high voltage. The secondary circuit distributes this high voltage to each cylinder at just the right time during the compression stroke of each cylinder.

Primary Circuit Operation

The primary circuit must transform system voltage into very high voltages of 8,000 to 50,000 volts. The primary circuit consists of the battery, the ignition switch, a ballast resistor (on early systems), a primary switch, breakerpoints or an ignition module, and the primary windings of the ignition coil. Let's examine each of the components and the job they perform in the ignition systems primary circuit. HEI and DIS systems use system voltage (12 volts) at the ignition coil, while on conventional systems a resistor is used to drop voltage to the coil. The coil circuit is controlled by a solid sate module or a set of breaker points. The module opens and closes the coil primary circuit base on a signal from the pick-up assembly.

#1. Storage Battery: The battery is the source of electrical energy for the ignition system.

#2. Ignition Switch: The switch controls the flow of current to the ignition system.

#3. Ballast Resistor: The resistor is used to drop battery voltage down to 6 to 9 volts at the coil.

#4. Ignition Coil: The coil transforms source voltage into high secondary voltage. The cut-a-way shows the primary windings.

#5. Pickup: The pickup generates a signal to indicate when the module should open the primary circuit.

#6. Module: The module controls current flow through the ignition coils primary windings.