Know Your Car's Ignition System

The purpose of the ignition system is to generate the high voltage from the car's 12-volt battery and send this to each spark plug igniting the fuel-air mixture in the engine’s combustion chambers. The ignition coil is the component that produces this high voltage.

There are mainly three types of ignition systems:

1. Distributor ignition system - It connects to the camshaft with gears. In the fully mechanical distributor, gears spin the main distributor shaft. Inside, a set of “ignition points” rubs against a multi-sided cam on the distributor shaft. The cam opens and closes the points; they act like a mechanical switch that interrupts the current flow. That’s what starts and stops the flow of power to the ignition coil. Once the coil generates firing voltage, it travels to the top of the coil and into the top of the distributor cap. There, a rotating disc attached to the distributor shaft distributes the power to each of the spark plug wires.

2. Distributor less ignition system - This system determines spark timing based on two shaft position sensors and a computer. The Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP) is mounted at the front of the crankshaft, or near the flywheel on some vehicles, and the Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) is mounted near the end of the camshaft. These sensors continuously monitor both shafts’ positions and feed that information into a computer. The Distributor less ignition system also employs a different coil setup. Instead of asking a single coil to power all the cylinders, the Distributor less ignition system uses multiple ignition coils, each generating spark for just two cylinders.
3. The coil-on-plug ignition system - These ignition systems have an enormous advantage. Since the coil mounts directly on top of the spark plug, spark plug cables are eliminated because the firing voltage is delivered directly to the plug. Plug cables mean greater resistance loss of amperage and voltage, as well as the possibility of contamination and cross-firing between cables if they become greasy or worn.

Here are the important features of a car ignition system:

• An ignition system can produce a voltage between 8000 V to 20000 V depending upon the compression ratio and operating conditions of the engine. 

• The ignition system supplies high voltage to each spark plug at the correct timing on each cylinder of the multi-cylinder conditions of the engine. 

• The ignition system must generate a very high voltage from the car's 12-volt battery.

Want to know the working of car ignition system? In that case, you should keep on reading further:

When the ignition switch is turned ON, the current from the battery flows through the ignition switch to the electric control unit of the vehicle which is connected to the ignition module and coil assembly. The gear mounted on the camshaft and crankshaft have equally spaced teeth with one gap, and the position sensors comprise the magnetic coil that constantly generates a magnetic field as the camshaft and crankshaft rotate. When these gaps come in front of the positioning sensors, fluctuation in the magnetic field occurs and the signals of both the sensors are sent to the ignition module which in turn senses the signals, and the current stops to flow in the primary winding of the coils and when these gaps go away from the sensors the signals of both the sensors are sent to the ignition module which turns ON the current to flow in the primary winding of the coils. This continuous make and break of the signals generate a magnetic field in the coils which in turn induced EMF in the secondary winding of the coils and increases the voltage. This high voltage is then sent to the spark plugs and the generation of sparks takes place. The timing of the spark plugs is controlled by an electronic control unit by continuously processing the data received from the ignition control module.

Many problems can let the ignition system failure such as:

• A fouled spark plug
• Bad plug wire 
• Weak ignition coil
• There might be no ignition, fuel, or compression
• A bad battery, starter, ignition switch or safety circuit, or anti-theft immobilizer system if the engine won't crank, 
• Water in the system
• Loose cable

Several skilled auto mechanics have a goal of opening their car repair shop in their career. But let’s face it; if you want to put up an efficient and profit-making shop, then you might need much more than mechanical skills. There are several tools that you might need to perform the car repairs quickly as well as reliably. Auto repair equipment that you will need to repair your Ignition System may include:

• Plier
• Screwdriver
• Wrench Set
• Gauge

If you know which car parts brand suits the best for your Ignition System, then it would save a lot of your decision-making time. What we believe is that picking a particular brand would always help reduce the clutter, and would make it easier for the customers to find what they are looking for. That’s why we have listed out some top brands for Ignition System below:-

• Blue Streak (Hygrade Motor) Ignition System
• NGK Canada Ignition System
• Cardone Industries Ignition System
• Worldparts Wire Sets Ignition System
• MSD Ignition Ignition System
• Denso Ignition System
• Autolite Ignition System
• Standard/T-Series Ignition System
• Bosch Ignition System

If you are like most of us, then you won’t know much about the related components of the car Ignition System. Fear not! Here is a quick and easy guide to explain the related parts of the Ignition System.

• Engine crankshaft speed sensor
• Camshaft position sensor
• Knock sensor
• Distributor
• Electronic Control Module
• Ignition coil
• High tension cable
• Spark plug

Do you want to learn how to replace the ignition system? So, here's how we've simplified the step by step process for you:

Step 1 - Remove the battery

You must first open the car's bonnet and then locate the battery; if your vehicle has a soundproofed cover, it may be necessary to remove it first. You'll need to detach the negative battery cable once you've seen the battery. Make certain, to begin with the negative cable (black).

Return to the automobile and unscrew the panels beneath the steering wheel. Every car is a little different, but there are usually two separate panels. It may be difficult at first since you must unscrew and then carefully release the clamps.

Step 2 - Remove the steering wheel from the vehicle

Disconnect the horn after removing the steering wheel's middle cover. If your vehicle is equipped with an airbag, things could get a lot more complicated. Make a notation on the spine and wheel before removing the wheel so you can line it up properly again. The steering wheel can then be removed by pulling it away from the car once the bolts have been removed. If it is firmly stuck, use the puller to free it.

Step 3 - Disconnect the Switches

Remove the switches that control your car's wipers and turn on your indicators. Depending on the car, different procedures will be employed. Consult your car's service handbook.

Step 4 - Search for the Ignition Switch

You should now be able to locate the starter switch, which you can access by unscrewing it. Remove the ignition switch and disconnect the cables.

Step 5 - Take out the cylinder

You'll want to remove the cylinder from your old ignition switch because you'll be utilizing the same keys. To do so, insert the key and turn it to the locked position. To free the cylinder, press down the clip with a screwdriver and then switch the key to "off."

Step 6 - Complete the task

Reconnect all the wires after inserting the old cylinder into the new ignition switch. All that's left is to reattach all the panels and screw the ignition switch back into the housing. However, you should test the new ignition switch before reassembling everything.