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.
NIPPONDENSO Electronic Ignition System: Operation
As the timing rotor turns with the distributor shaft, its teeth (one for each engine cylinder) pass the pick-up coil assembly. See Fig 1. As the air gap changes with the passing of the teeth, the magnetic field varies creating a signal in the pick-up coil assembly.
The ignitor senses this signal and turns the ignition coil primary circuit on and off. This causes voltage to build and collapse, resulting in a voltage surge in the ignition coil secondary circuit that fires the spark plugs.
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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.