Ignition System: Description and Operation

Ignition System:

The Nippondenso ignition system consists of a distributor, ignition coil, distributor cap, distributor rotor, igniter, spark plugs, secondary ignition wires, vacuum and centrifugal advance components.

Battery voltage is supplied to the positive side of the ignition coil by the ignition switch. As the reluctor inside the distributor rotates it collapses a magnetic field surrounding the stator. The collapse of this field produces a voltage pulse which is transmitted to the power switching transistor, igniter. The pulse of the power switching transistor interrupts current flow through the primary circuit. This interruption induces high voltage in the secondary coil. The high voltage travels through the coil wire to the distributor cap where it is transferred, by the distributor rotor, to the specified secondary ignition wire. Finally the high voltage reaches a spark plug where it jumps a specified gap and ignites the air/fuel mixture within the combustion chamber. The distributor also utilizes centrifugal and vacuum advance controls for maximum engine performance at all operating temperatures and speeds.