Ignition Control Module: Description and Operation

Igniter Assembly:

The ignition system used on this vehicle includes a conventional ignition coil, and igniter which controls current flow within the system. Both are located inside the distributor along with a magnetic pulse type triggering unit, pickup coil. Conventional distributor rotor, cap, and spark plug wires are used to deliver secondary voltage to the spark plugs.

Battery voltage is applied to the igniter and to the ignition coil primary windings. The primary coil circuit is completed to ground through the power switching transistor located within the igniter. As the reluctor passes the pole piece of the pickup coil it creates a signal voltage, upon receiving signal voltage the switching transistor momentarily opens the primary ground circuit causing the magnetic field within the coil to collapse. High voltage is induced in the coil secondary windings upon collapsing of the magnetic field.