Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Distributor: Description and Operation


Hall Effect Distributor:






PURPOSE

The distributor houses the Hall effect assembly, and distributes high voltage secondary output through the rotor and distributor cap and spark plug wires to the spark plugs.

OPERATION

The distributor uses the hall effect device called the sync sensor to generate a sync signal. This sensor detects the shutter on the distributor shaft. Its signal is used in conjunction with the CPS to differentiate between fuel injection and spark events. It is also used to synchronize the fuel injectors with their respective cylinders.

The sync signal generator consists of a rotating pulse ring (shutter) mounted to the distributor shaft. It is included as part of the distributor switch plate. The sync signal generator is a Hall Effect switch. The pulse ring rotates 180 degrees through the sync signal generator.

When the leading edge of the pulse ring enters the sync signal generator, the following occurs: The interruption of magnetic field causes the voltage to switch high resulting in a sync signal of 5 volts.

When the trailing edge of the pulse ring leaves the sync signal generator, the following occurs: The change of the magnetic field causes the sync signal voltage to switch low to 0 volts.