Reviewing the Car Ignition System and How to Do It
The ignition system is a mechatronic circuit designed with the purpose of creating a spark at a specific time. The spark in a car engine functions as one of the components that allows the engine to start. To clarify, let’s discuss the definition of a car ignition system and how it works below.
Definition of Car Ignition System Components
The ignition system is defined as a system consisting of several components that are responsible for triggering a spark in the engine. This system is a crucial necessity that must exist in every conventional gasoline engine as well as fuel injection.
In conventional engines, the ignition system functions to create a spark that can ignite the fuel in the car engine.
The explosion produced can push the piston components in the combustion chamber forcefully and quickly. It is important to know that without this system, the car will not start even if it has a full tank of fuel. Since this system plays a role in starting the engine, the performance of the ignition system must be maintained.
Speaking of conventional ignition systems, this type of ignition uses points, a distributor, an ignition coil, and spark plugs to create a high-voltage spark.
Before the fuel mixture reaches TDC, the sequence of this car ignition system has already ignited the mixture of fuel and oxygen in the combustion chamber.
How the Ignition System Works
As explained, the ignition system is responsible for creating a spark to ignite the fuel when the engine is started. This spark is formed due to a high-voltage electrical energy surge passing through the spark plug electrodes. The voltage generated reaches 30,000 V DC with a gap of 0.88 mm in the spark plug electrode.
The presence of a gap in the spark plug electrode can cause an electron jump that will eventually lead to the formation of a spark. However, it is important to know that this spark is only needed when the car is about to be used. If the engine is not in use, the circuit breaker will regulate the spark so that the spark plug does not ignite indefinitely.
The operation of the ignition system begins when you turn the key to the ON position. In this position, the ignition relay and main relay components will become active, generating an electric current from the battery. This electric current then flows through the ballast resistor to the ignition coil.
In this part, you will find primary and secondary coils. Both coils have inputs that can carry electric current. However, these two components have different outputs from each other.
The primary coil has an output that tends to lead to the circuit breaker. Meanwhile, the secondary coil is more directed towards the spark plug component in the car.
The electric current flowing through the ignition system circuit will not change. This is because the voltage in the coil will not change unless there is movement in the circuit breaker.
This condition prevents the spark plug from igniting when the flywheel has not yet rotated. Due to the electric current passing through the primary coil, the core of the coil becomes a magnet for the fuel.
The sequence of non-conventional car ignition systems will work when the flywheel is rotated by the starter system. When the engine starts to rotate, this circuit will also rotate following the engine RPM.
When the points open, the electric current passing through the primary coil is interrupted. Even though the flow is interrupted, the core will still create a spark at the spark plug.
The transistor ignition system is often referred to as semi-electronic. This system no longer uses points but instead uses a transistor. The working principle of the transistor is almost the same as that of the conventional ignition type. When the ignition key is in the ON position, the current from the battery will flow to the ignition and transistor coil output.
Sequence of Car Ignition System
The ignition sequence is the stage of current flow in the spark plug component at the end of compression. This sequence has been designed and adjusted to the engine cylinder components located in the core of the car engine. The stages of the ignition system in this car are expressed in a variety of numbering.
The sequence of the car ignition system through the cylinder numbering on the engine component starts from the front. However, currently, this sequence has changed and been adjusted to variations in V-type engines. The ignition sequence in a 4-cylinder engine is either 1 – 3 – 4 – 2 or 1 – 2 – 4 – 3. Meanwhile, in a 6-cylinder engine, the sequence is 1 – 5 – 3 – 6 – 2 – 4.
The ignition system is one of the simplest forms of systems. In principle, the spark is produced as a result of the reaction of three elements: fuel, oxygen, and heat. With this system, the car can be started and driven. It is important to know that this component is very crucial. Therefore, always provide intensive maintenance.
