System Basics
This is one of the three things an engine needs to run, along with air-fuel mixture and compression.
What is an ignition source?
This battery is used in all three ignition system generations.
What is the SLI battery?
This ignition system was common from 1920 to the mid-1970s.
What is the Contact Point Ignition (CPI) system?
A faulty version of this component can cause engine misfires.
What are spark plug wires?
Spark plugs on EI systems should be changed every how many miles?
50,000 to 100,000 miles.
This system converts fuel’s chemical energy into mechanical and thermal energy.
What is the ignition system?
This component distributes high voltage to each spark plug in CPI and DI systems.
What is the distributor cap and rotor?
This system eliminated contact points and used an ignition module.
What is the Distributor Ignition (DI) system?
Moisture on these components can cause engine rotation but no start.
What are ignition components?
Spark plug wires should be changed every how many miles?
100,000 miles.
What is the purpose of stepping up voltage in the ignition system?
To ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.
This sensor detects uncontrolled detonation vibrations.
What is the knock sensor?
This system introduced computer-controlled coil ignition.
What is the Electronic Ignition (EI) system?
Swapping this component can help diagnose a single-cylinder misfire.
What is the ignition coil?
Timing belts should be changed every 6 years or between how many miles?
60,000 to 105,000 miles.
What is the voltage range of the secondary circuit in an ignition system?
10,000 to 100,000 volts.
This component is a switch that turns low voltage on and off to the ignition coil(s).
What is the ignition module?
Which generation uses a coil-on-plug (COP) design?
What is the EI system?
This sensor’s failure can cause incorrect spark timing.
What is the crankshaft position sensor?
What should be used in COP boots to inhibit corrosion?
What is dielectric grease?
What are the four strokes of an automotive engine cycle?
Intake, compression, power, exhaust.
These sensors track piston and valve positions to time the spark efficiently.
What are crankshaft and camshaft sensors?
Which generation uses points and a condenser?
What is the CPI system?
What are two signs of a faulty distributor cap or rotor?
Cracked, burned, or corroded.
What is the difference between interference and non-interference engines?
Interference engines can suffer internal damage if the timing belt fails; non-interference engines do not.