Distributor: Description and Operation

Distributor:

OPERATION
The distributor is driven by the camshaft and mounts to the rear of the engine, it does not contain centrifugal advance weights, springs, or a vacuum advance unit. The distributor has an internal magnetic pickup assembly that contains a permanent magnet, a pole piece with internal teeth, and a pickup coil. When the rotating teeth of the timer core line up with the teeth of the pole piece, voltage is induced in the pickup coil. This voltage signals the Ignition Control Module (ICM) to trigger the primary ignition circuit. Current flow in the primary circuit is interrupted and up to 35,000 volts is induced in the ignition coil secondary winding. This high voltage is directed through the secondary ignition circuit to fire the spark plugs.