Minia University Automotive & Tractor Eng.

Dept Elective course ( 3 )

Faculty of Engineering November, 2013 Code: AT 419

Attempt to answer ALL Questions

Ignition Systems
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. Explain the operating principles of an automotive conventional ignition system Describe the parts of an automotive ignition system Explain the function of an automotive ignition systems secondary wires Explain the function of an automotive ignition systems primary wires Explain the construction of various automotive ignition coil designs Define the term ignition dwell Explain how a Hall effect chip operates Describe the evolution of ignition timing advance systems Explain the operation and function of an ignition systems electronic control unit Describe the operation of direct ignition system Sketch the basic parts of an automotive ignition system. How is a spark plugs heat range indicated? Describe the basic construction of a modern automotive ignition coil. Explain the function of an automotive distributor rotor. How does a trigger wheel and pickup coil ignition system operate? Describe the functions of a modern ignition systems electronic control unit. Explain how a distributorless ignition system operates. How do most modern ignition systems control timing advance? What is the purpose of an automotive ignition system? Compare and contrast early and modern distributors. Why do certain spark plugs contain resistors? Define the term spark plug reach. Describe the function of an ignition coil. Explain the purpose of secondary wires. Where an ignition system is ECU normally located? Define the term true spark. Explain how early centrifugal advance mechanisms operate. Describe the basic operation of a direct ignition system. Describe the basic operation of a contact breaker switched ignition system. Describe the basic purpose of ignition timing point setting/advance with regard to engine speed and load. Explain how can Refit the High Tension leads in the correct firing order. How can Test the electrical resistance of an ignition coil. Draw a block circuit diagram of a basic electronic ignition system that uses a distributor based signal generator (pickup). Describe the function of the Inductive and Hall type signal generators (pickups) in an electronically controlled ignition system. Describe the function, basic operating and test principles of the amplifier/switching unit in Inductive and Hall effect electronic ignition systems. Describing the Hall effect, operation of an inductive pick up module and an optical pulse generator. Describing the use of control modules. |Page1

Minia University Automotive & Tractor Eng. Dept Elective course ( 3 )

Faculty of Engineering November, 2013 Code: AT 419

There are three general types of ignition system: breaker ignition; electronic ignition; and direct ignition: 1234567891011121314151617181920Explain the difference between them What are the main components of each? Explain ignition advance and ignition retard. Describe the requirements of an ignition system of a SI engine. List different type of ignition system. Describe the working of battery ignition system with the help of a suitable diagram. Draw a neat sketch of magneto ignition system and explain its working. List various advantages and disadvantages of battery ignition system. Describe in brief the function of a distributor. Describe in brief the functions of the following components of an ignition system: Condenser, Spark plugs and Ignition switch. What are different effects of ignition retard on the performance of an automobile? What happens to the performance of a vehicle due to ignition advance? How does centrifugal advance mechanism works? What is the working principle of vacuum advance mechanism? What do you mean by battery capacity? What is the requirement of a good spark plug? What type of tests which can be conducted on the battery for testing? How servicing of ignition system should be done? Draw a wiring diagram showing the primary and secondary ignition systems. What are the Primary ignition system components? Measure and record the resistances of the primary and secondary coil windings of the ignition coil. The ignition system controls the ignition timing in accordance with the engine speed and load so that the maximum combustion force occurs at 10 ATDC. Discuss with neat sketch.

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Minia University Automotive & Tractor Eng. Dept Elective course ( 3 )

Faculty of Engineering November, 2013 Code: AT 419

Ignition System Quick Quiz

1- If you hear the term Smart Ignition System what is this referring to? An Ignition System that thinks for itself Computer Controlled Ignition System An Ignition System that is non-computer controlled 2- How do you measure the secondary resistance of an Ignition Coil? Use an Ohm meter across the coil tower and one of the Primary terminals Use an ohm meter across the two Primary terminals Use the volt meter across the Coil tower and one of the Primary terminals 3- What is the typical amplification factor between the Primary and Secondary windings of the coil? 10 to 1 100 to 1 1000 to 1 10000 to 1 4- What does a number on a Spark Plug represent? The length of the threads The length of the porcelain The heat range 5- What is the main function of the Ignition Control Module? Control the timing Control the Fuel Injectors Control the Spark Control transmission shifting

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Minia University Automotive & Tractor Eng. Dept Elective course ( 3 )

Faculty of Engineering November, 2013 Code: AT 419

Choose the answer that BEST completes the following statements or questions.
1) ____________ refers to the precise moment a spark plug fires in relation to the position of a piston in the cylinder. Less power will be produced the earlier the spark event occurs. A) Ignition rpm B) Ignition timing C) Ignition sequence D) Ignition spark 2) The __________ of a spark plug contributes to the resistance of the ignition secondary circuit and determines how much gasoline is ionized when the spark plug fires. A) resistance area B) laminate C) magnetic force D) air gap 3) Which of the following ignition system configurations are commonly found on OBD II compliant engines? A) Hall Effect, Optical, breaker point, fast start B) Direct ignition, electronic ignition, TIF C) Distributorless Ignition Systems (DIS), coil near plug, Coil-Over-Plug (COP) D) None of the above 5) Some EI systems are called fast start systems because the spark plugs begin firing within _______ degrees of crankshaft rotation. A) 60 B) 120 C) 180 D) 360 6) When using a digital voltmeter to check a two-wire crankshaft or camshaft sensor signal there are three aspects to measure, they include: A) Amperage, amplitude, frequency B) Duty cycle, frequency, resistance C) A/C voltage, frequency, resistance D) DC voltage, frequency, resistance 7) Spark duration is measured in: A) milliseconds B) milliamps C) millivolts |Page4

Minia University Automotive & Tractor Eng. Dept Elective course ( 3 )

Faculty of Engineering November, 2013 Code: AT 419

D) milliohms 8) When diagnosing ignition problems, trace patterns of the ignition oscilloscope can be divided into three main zones or sections: the firing section, the intermediate section and the _________. A) spark section B) dwell section C) raster pattern D) timing pattern 9) Ignition systems on OBD II compliant vehicles has two main electrical circuits, the: A) inductive and reluctive circuits B) high energy and low energy circuits C) input and output circuits D) primary and secondary circuits 10) ______________ is produced when electromagnetic radio waves of sufficient amplitude escape from a spark plug wire or conductor? A) Capacitive discharge B) Resistor interference C) Spark triggering D) Electromagnetic interference 11. An ignition system changes ____ into very high voltage and then sends the high voltage to the spark plug. a. low input signals b. high input signals c. high battery voltage d. low battery voltage 12. Many older engines use a _____ to direct high voltage to the spark plug wire. Newer models use a _____ instead. a. VOM; relay and electronic control unit (ECU) b. transformer; distributor c. coil; ECU d. distributor; computer and ECU 13. Automotive spark plugs screw into holes machined into the engine _____. a. intake manifold b. fuel rail c. cylinder head d. short block

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Minia University Automotive & Tractor Eng. Dept Elective course ( 3 )

Faculty of Engineering November, 2013 Code: AT 419

14. If spark plug reach is too long, the piston can strike the plug tip and _____. a. misfire b. cause major engine damage c. short out the system 15. The spark plug wire and coil wires are classified as secondary wires. Most new cars use a(n) _____ wire that prevents radio interference. a. routing b. electric c. electronic suppression d. fire 16. True or False? Many cars now mount the ignition coil directly on the engine above the spark plugs, eliminating secondary wires. 17. Older cars often feature a Unitized Ignition System in which the ignition coil mounts inside_____. a. the engine b. the top of the distributor cap c. the battery d. the coil pack 18. The distributor cap is a plastic cover that fits over the top of the distributor body to hold the_____. a. primary wires b. distributor gear c. distributor rotor d. secondary wires 19. A _____ and special _____ secure the distributor into the top of the engine. a. bolt; clamp b. nut; pin c. pin; nut d. clamp; nut 20. Which of the following is another name for the ignition systems ECU? a. ignition amplifier b. integrated computer c. DC controller d. (all of these) 21. The ignition systems ECU is used to convert an AC _____ wave into a _____ wave, which is then sent to the automobiles computer. a. square; sine b. sine; square c. cosine; square |Page6

Minia University Automotive & Tractor Eng. Dept Elective course ( 3 )

Faculty of Engineering November, 2013 Code: AT 419

d. square; cosine 22. In a distributorless ignition system, the _____ and a coil control unit are used to fire the ignition coils. a. reluctor b. computer c. relay d. condenser 23. In a distributorless ignition system, the _____ are often the main inputs going to the ECU and computer. a. secondary wires b. coil packs c. crank sensor and cam sensor 24. With a direct ignition system, one small _____ is used for each cylinder or spark plug. a. sensor b. ignition coil c. switch d. reluctor 25. The term _____ refers to the amount of time that primary current is flowing through the ignition coil. a. advance b. pick-up c. persistence d. dwell

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Minia University Automotive & Tractor Eng. Dept Elective course ( 3 )

Faculty of Engineering November, 2013 Code: AT 419

The primary (low-voltage) ignition system must be working correctly before any spark occurs from a coil. Which component is not in the primary ignition circuit? Spark plug wiring Ignition module (igniter) Pickup coil (pulse alternator) Ignition switch

The ignition module has direct control over the firing of the coil(s) of an ignition system. Which component(s) triggers (controls) the module? Pickup coil Computer Crankshaft sensor All of the above

Distributor ignition systems can be triggered by a ________. Hall-effect sensor Magnetic sensor Spark sensor Either a or b

Ignition coil primary resistance is usually ________ ohms. 6,000 to 30,000 150 to 1,500 Less than 1 to 3 Zero

Coil polarity is determined by the ________. Direction of rotation of the coil windings |Page8

Minia University Automotive & Tractor Eng. Dept Elective course ( 3 )

Faculty of Engineering November, 2013 Code: AT 419

Turn ratio Direction of laminations Saturation direction

A compression-sensing ignition system uses a ________ type of ignition. Distributor Coil on plug Waste spark All of the above

The pulse generator ________. Fires the spark plug directly Signals the electronic control unit (module) Signals the computer that fires the spark plug directly Is used as a tachometer reference signal by the computer and has no other function Two technicians are discussing coil-on-plug ignition systems. Technician A says that they can be called coil-near-plug or coil-by-plug ignition systems. Technician B says that some can use ion sensing. Which technician is correct? Technician A only Technician B only Both Technicians A and B Neither Technician A nor B

A waste-spark-type ignition system fires ________. Two spark plugs at the same time One spark plug with reverse polarity One spark plug with straight polarity

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Minia University Automotive & Tractor Eng. Dept Elective course ( 3 )

Faculty of Engineering November, 2013 Code: AT 419

All of the above

Technician A says that a defective crankshaft position sensor can cause a no-spark condition. Technician B says that a faulty ignition control module can cause a no-spark condition. Which technician is correct? Technician A only Technician B only Both Technicians A and B Neither Technician A nor B

With my best wishes Dr. Nouby M. Ghazaly

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