Ignition System

When fitting new contact-breaker points in the distributor , the normal way of checking the gap between them is with a feeler gauge . Read more

The high-tension (HT) or secondary circuit carries high-voltage electricity. It runs from the secondary winding of the coil through the distributor to the plugs. Any of these can break down and cause ignition failure. Read more

If the starter does not turn the engine although the car battery is in good condition, the fault may be a simple mechanical one or it may be an electrical one in the starter-motor circuit . Read more

The contact-breaker setting is often neglected, but it is vital to good running. Ideally, check and set the gap, between every major service, and replace the contact breaker after 6,000 miles or 10,000 km, or twice a year. Read more

Inspect the ignition system whenever you make a general under-bonnet check. It takes only a couple of minutes, and guards against a frequent cause of breakdown. Read more

The high-tension leads from the coil to the distributor and from there to the plugs may start to deteriorate after long service, causing bad starting, misfiring and radio interference. Read more

The condenser is a small electrical device connected across the contact-breaker points in the distributor . Read more

A static timing check with the engine stationary is never fully accurate. It does not allow for wear or between two parts such as the teeth of gears. data-term-id="1310">backlash Read more

If testing the starter circuit (See Checking the starter circuit ) indicates a fault in the starter motor , disconnect the battery and remove the motor from the car - complete with its attached solenoid if it is a pre-engaged type of motor. Read more

Bosch distributors are found on many different cars and are generally very reliable. But after a high mileage you may find that the engine isn't running quite as it should. If the rest of the fuel and ignition system is well tuned but the car doesn't accelerate cleanly, the problem may lie in the distributor advance mechanism. Read more

Check and clean sparkplugs every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) and replace them after 10,000 miles (16,000 km). Their condition can tell you about the condition of the engine , and help you to correct faults elsewhere. Read more

The low-tension (LT), or primary-ignition, circuit consists of the battery , ignition switch , contact breaker, and the primary winding of the coil . Read more

On some cars, because of limited space, the only way of replacing the contact-breaker points or condenser is with the distributor removed. Read more

The timing mechanism in the ignition system causes the sparkplug to fire in each cylinder just before the piston reaches top dead centre ( TDC ) on its compression stroke . Read more

The name Bendix gear strictly applies to the spiral drive mechanism of an inertia-type starter . However, the term is sometimes used for the pre-engaged starter mechanism. Read more

Remove the starter motor from the car (See Checking and replacing starter-motor brushes ). Read more

Starter-motor bearings are usually bushes made of graphite-bronze. A few starters - especially heavy-duty types - have ball bearings at the pinion end. Read more

Both inertia and pre-engaged starters can have one of two types of commutator . Read more

The ignition warning light, sometimes known as the no-charge light, is one of the most important lights on your dashboard . It warns you when the car's generator is not charging the battery . Read more

Running-on is when the engine continues to turn after you've switched off the ignition because the fuel /air mixture is being ignited by a hot-spot in the combustion chamber . Furthermore, because the mixture is often firing at the wrong point in the cycle , the engine does not run smoothly but jerks and rocks badly on its mountings (and sometimes backfires ). The problem can be so bad that the engine runs on for a minute or more if left alone. Read more

If your car is misfiring or running badly, or has suddenly stopped completely, the most likely source of the problem is the ignition system. Read more