Signs of a Damaged Platinum Car to Watch Out For
The car won't start, suddenly dies, and feels powerless is a sign that the car's points are damaged. Friends need to understand these signs to avoid severe engine damage.
As we know, points are one of the components in the ignition system and function as a switch or connector for the electrical current to the primary coil in the ignition coil. The function of the points is quite important because if they are damaged, there will be no high voltage needed by the spark plug to produce a spark.
Points are usually found in old cars that use a conventional ignition system. The contact from these points generates high voltage in the secondary coil of 10KV or more, working when the electrical current flowing through the primary coil is suddenly interrupted by the points, which then induces high voltage in the secondary coil through self-induction.
The working principle is that when the interruption of the electrical current in the primary coil is delayed from the specified time, the emergence of high voltage in the secondary coil is also delayed, meaning the supply of voltage to the spark plug is also delayed, resulting in a delayed spark produced by the spark plug.
The timing or ignition time in the ignition system, especially in conventional types, is greatly determined by the points mechanism. The signs of the car above may be caused by worn points, bumps, misalignment, or changes in their settings. Because the spark from the spark plug becomes small due to low coil induction voltage.
Here are some explanations and causes of damage to car points:
1. Dirty or burned point surface
Dirty points cause increased resistance, small primary current, low induction voltage, and small spark. Similarly, poor contact surfaces cause the contact area to become small, the contact surface burns quickly, becomes dirty, and the primary current flow is small. This is what causes the car engine to stutter when started.
2. Worn rubbing block
This condition causes the contact gap to decrease. The spark at the contact becomes large, the dwell angle increases, causing the coil to heat up quickly during ignition. A worn rubbing block causes the gap adjustment or cam dwell angle (CDA) to be suboptimal. To prevent this, pay attention to the lubrication on the contact breaker cam.
3. Bump on the points
Due to the use of an incorrect capacitor capacity, bumps on the points can appear and hinder the ignition current flow.
4. Loose current binding screw
If this screw is loose, it automatically changes the contact gap, and the spark at the contact becomes large, which makes the dwell angle heat up quickly and even burn easily.
5. Incorrect point gap adjustment
If the gap is too small when the points open the primary induction current, this change can trigger small magnetism, causing a large dwell angle. The points close longer than they should, resulting in the coil overheating and weakening its induction.
Conversely, if the gap is too large, it causes a small dwell angle. The time the points close becomes shorter, the primary current flowing becomes small, and the induction produced does not meet the needs of the ignition system.
6. Damaged and dirty points cable
Due to the damaged insulator of the points cable, the primary current continues to flow but there is no induction in the coil. Thus, there will be no spark, the engine dies, and the coil becomes hot.
Similarly, if the cable is blocked by dirt. This prevents the primary current from flowing, resulting in no magnetism, no induction, no spark, and the engine cannot start. There are also several other causes such as a loose battery terminal, shorted coil, racing coil, poor capacitor, which causes a higher voltage than needed, triggering the points to burn or scorch.
Furthermore, to address and prevent damage to the points, friends should perform regular maintenance at the workshop. Usually, after 5000 km of use, the points' settings can change and their function becomes suboptimal. Perform several maintenance tasks such as checking the air filter, fuel filter, cleaning the spark plug, adjusting the points correctly, and cleaning the spark plug cables.
Alternatively, friends can take a car mechanic course if they are interested in the automotive field.
Author: Dinno Baskoro
