Ignition System: Description and Operation

When the ignition key is turned on voltage is present at the primary circuit of the ignition coil. As the distributor shaft rotates the teeth of the reluctor pass the pickup coil generating a signal which is passed to the electronic control module (igniter). The igniter then breaks the circuit in the primary winding of the ignition coil. The resulting colapse of the magnetic field surrounding the primary and secondary windings of the coil induces a voltage in the secondary which fires the spark plugs.