Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
MOTORCRAFT DURA-Spark II Ignition Systems: Operation: Notes
The Dura-Spark II systems contain a distributor, electronic control module and ignition coil and function much the same as other solid state systems. See Fig 1and Fig 2. An armature on the distributor shaft rotates past a stator (pick-up coil).
The armature has the same number of teeth as the engine has cylinders. As the teeth rotate past the pick-up coil, a signal is sent to the electronic control module.
The module then determines when to turn current off and on in the primary windings of the ignition coil. This current collapse in the primary, causes a high voltage surge in the secondary, which is routed to the spark plugs through the rotor, distributor cap and spark plug wires. System components include the following:
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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