Exploring 5 Car Ignition Systems Along with the Functions of Their Important Components

In order for the car to start, the engine is designed with an ignition chamber. The purpose is to create combustion that will generate movement power. Some of you may be wondering, how does the car ignition system work? To get the answer to that question, let's take a look at the following review.

1. Conventional Ignition System

For your information, this system is the first system ever designed in cars. This system still relies on mechanical platinum and a distributor to channel the spark.

The purpose of this spark delivery is to create the combustion process that occurs in the combustion chamber, so the car can start when turned on.

This ignition model is the basis for the ignition systems of CDI and DLI types. Mechatronics as the basic principle functions as a spark generator in the car's spark plug.

Previously, mechatronics utilized high-voltage electrical energy to create an induction process in the coil. In this coil, there is an electric current flowing in the spark plug.

This ignition method is widely used in older cars with simple engine systems. When the ignition is in the ON position, the voltage from the battery or ACCU will flow into the coil. When the car is started, you will hear the engine sound resulting from the car's ignition system.

There are several components that play an important role in the ignition process, including the battery, accu, ignition coil, distributor, and spark plug.

The performance of the ignition system will be optimal if these components are always maintained properly. The use of the wrong fuel should be avoided to prevent damage to the components in the ignition system.

2. Transistor Ignition System

From a principle standpoint, this system is actually quite similar to the conventional ignition. The difference lies in the fact that platinum is no longer used.

Instead, this ignition uses a transistor that serves to replace the role of platinum. Typically, the transistor ignition system is often referred to as electronic ignition.

As the name suggests, the transistor ignition system uses a component called a transistor that is used as an electronic switch.

The presence of this switch aims to cut the primary current and replace it with electromagnetic induction. The year 1955 marked the beginning of the use of this ignition system.

In that year, this ignition model was only used in certain cars, particularly those that still used mechanical components in the conventional car ignition system.

Currently, this car system can be said to be hard to find. This simple and traditional system has been replaced with a more modern one.

3. Semi Transistor Ignition System

You should know that the semi-transistor ignition system is still part of the transistor ignition system. The difference is that this system uses platinum contacts that are almost the same as the conventional ignition system model. Although the use of platinum contradicts the transistor system, the principle remains exactly the same.

If in the primary coil, platinum functions as a breaker. In the semi transistor, platinum is not used in that regard. In this system, platinum is used only as a current breaker that goes to the base leg of the transistor.

Thus, the electric current that is channeled will be perfectly controlled. This is what distinguishes semi transistor platinum from conventional.

4. CDI Ignition Scheme for Cars

In fact, this type of system is also in the same category as the transistor system. The difference is that fully transistor systems no longer use platinum or electric ignition.

This system tends to use an igniter to cut the current at the base leg. In fully transistor, the CDI ignition scheme for cars can indeed be found in fully transistor.

Both the semi transistor and fully transistor ignition systems have striking differences in their operation. The significant difference lies in the dynamic operation of both systems.

Interestingly, the fully transistor ignition system can still be found in the latest generation cars. This further proves that the system is still effective.

5. Distributor Less Ignition

As the name suggests, this ignition system is a system that no longer uses a distributor. Instead, this system uses a computer to control the ignition system or can be referred to as EFI. To control the ignition system, this system uses an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

Several components involved in this ignition system include Coil Pack, CKP, CMP, ICM, ECM, Dual Pack, and Single Pack. One more important component is the computer that controls the ignition system.

Unfortunately, if one of these components is damaged, the ignition system will also not be optimal because the CDI ignition scheme for cars is not optimal.