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Ignition Systems
Ignition Systems
The output of the ignition system is the spark plug.
There are Three main different types of ignition systems
There are Three main different types of ignition systems
Conventional: While this is called a “conventional” ignition system, it is not as common anymore! This is an older style of ignition system that uses points, a distributor, and an external coil. They are high-maintenance due to all of the moving parts which require regular preventative maintenance. However, they are easily fixed and relatively cheap. Service is generally recommended after 10,000 kilometres.The video below shows how this system works!
Electronic: An electronic ignition is a modification on the conventional system that can be found all over Canada today. In an electronic system, you still have a distributor, but the points have been replaced with a pickup coil, and there is an electronic ignition control module. These are far less likely to breakdown than conventional systems (points), and provide very reliable operation. Service intervals on these types of systems are generally recommended every 40,000 kilometres or so.
Distributor-less (DIS): This is the newest type of ignition system and it’s beginning to see very widespread use on new vehicles. It differs greatly from the other two types. In this system, the coils sit directly on top of the spark plugs (there are no spark plug wires), and the system is completely electronic. It’s controlled by the car’s computer. You might be more familiar with the name “direct ignition” system. They require very little maintenance as there are no moving parts. Some automakers specify more than 160,000 kilometres between services.
Waste Spark Igntion (Early DIS)
Waste Spark Igntion (Early DIS)
The earliest DIS featured a bank of coils; one coil for every two cylinders. Each pair of coils would provide power to two spark plugs. Each of the two paired coils would fire the paired spark plugs simultaneously, one on the compression stroke and the other on the exhaust stroke. Since one plug is fired on the exhaust stroke, serving no real purpose, the system was known as a “waste spark system.” This style of ignition has negative and positive polarity sides to the coil; meaning the spark plug also has positive or negative polarity. CLICK HERE to see an animation of the waste spark system!
It is important to know that in a waste spark ignition system that spark plug electrode wear occurs differently based on the polarity. For plugs in a positive polarity position, more electrode wear will occur at the ground electrode. Plugs in a negative polarity position will experience more wear at the center electrode.
As a result of this, vehicles equipped with waste spark ignitions often use double precious metal spark plugs, such as the OE Iridium® or OE Platinum®. These dual precious metal plugs feature either iridium or platinum on the center-firing electrode and platinum on the ground electrode. Because these electrode materials are harder, gap erosion is reduced, allowing for a longer service interval. Since these materials are denser, this will reduce gap erosion, thus leading to a much longer service interval. The use of nickel-alloy or single precious metal spark plugs in vehicles equipped with waste spark ignitions will result in more aggressive gap erosion and shorter spark plug life.
How to properly check for voltage drop dynamically. You should also be checking static voltage drop before moving on to dynamic measurements.
Refer back to your memory of MEC 1040 to explain why a diesel engine does not require an ignition system
Within an ignition coil, there are primary and secondary windings. Neither set of windings should be connected to the case of the coil.
SO a measurement of resistance should NOT show any connnection between the windings and the case.
Below is a video of how the ignition coil induces the high voltage in the secondary coil!
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