Is the distributor part of the ignition system?
A distributor is an enclosed rotating shaft used in spark-ignition internal combustion engines that have mechanically timed ignition. The distributor’s main function is to route secondary, or high voltage, current from the ignition coil to the spark plugs in the correct firing order, and for the correct amount of time.
What does a distributor do in an ignition system?
The distributor is the component that transfers the voltage from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. The primary components of the distributor include the rotor and the cap, in which the former spins inside the latter. The cap has the output contacts. The distributor is driven by the engine’s camshaft.
Do cars with electronic ignition have a distributor?
In an electronic system, you still have a distributor, but the points have been replaced with a pickup coil, and there’s an electronic ignition control module. These are far less likely to breakdown than conventional systems, and provide very reliable operation.
Which two types of ignition system do not use a distributor?
The first two types of ignition system, breaker-point system and electronic system, are both distributor-based, in contrast with the other two distributor-less systems.
How does Voltage Flow in a distributor ignition system?
Distributor ignition system: With this design, voltage flows from the ignition coil, through a spark plug wire, to the distributor. As the distributor rotor turns, it delivers voltage from the center terminal to the spark plug wires. Energy then flows through the spark plug wire to the plug, causing it to fire.
What does each wire from the distributor do?
Also, as a fail safe measure, when ignition occurs an ignition confirmation signal (IGF signal) is sent to the ECM. This correctly distributes high voltage to the spark plug of each cylinder in the specified ignition order.
How is the distributor Connected to the primary coil?
The distributor contains a “breaker point” that grounds the primary coil’s circuit. This point is connected to the ground by a lever. The lever gets moved by a cam connected to the distributor shaft. That opens the primary coil circuit and causes the collapse that triggers the high voltage bursts in the secondary coil.
How does the ignition coil work in a car?
However, in order to achieve a spark for combustion to occur, there needs to be between 20,000 to 50,000 volts at the spark plug. To enable such a considerable increase in voltage, you need the ignition coil. The ignition coil converts the low voltage from the battery to the high voltage needed by the spark plugs.