Electronic Ignition (EI) Systems

4.
Electronic Ignition (EI) Systems

Automotive – Ignition & Charging Systems
Electronic Ignition (EI) Systems
Topics covered in this presentation:

 DIS Primary and Secondary Circuits
 Typical Distributorless Ignition Systems
 Direct Ignition and Capacitor Discharge Systems
ClassAct SRS enabled.

4. Electronic Ignition (EI) Systems
EI / DIS Systems
Ignition systems were improved to
minimize exhaust emissions.
The distributor was replaced with an electronic system to

determine which spark plug should receive a spark.
Known as Electronic (EI) or Distributorless (DIS) Ignition systems. Next >

Typical DIS System Components

The components of a typical DIS system are:
 Ignition module.
 Ignition coils.
 Crankshaft sensor.
 Trigger wheel.
The advantages of a DIS system are:

 Fewer moving parts.
 No mechanical timing.
 Less maintenance.
 No mechanical load on engine.
 Increased coil saturation. Next >
Question 1
Which of the following is NOT an advantage of a EI system?
A) Fewer moving parts
B) Cheaper to produce
C) No mechanical load on engine
D) Less maintenance required

DIS Secondary Circuit

A spark plug is attached to each
end of secondary winding.
The two plugs are in cylinders whose

pistons reach top dead centre (TDC) at
the same time, but on different strokes.
The compression stroke

cylinder is the "event" cylinder.
The exhaust stroke cylinder

is the "waste" cylinder.
The cylinder head acts as a conductor

to complete the secondary circuit.
Next >
Question 2
What is the compression stroke cylinder called when it is fired by the
DIS secondary circuit?
A) Event cylinder
B) Home cylinder
C) Waste cylinder
D) Lead cylinder
‘Waste Spark’
A voltage is produced across both
spark plugs at the same time.
The compression stroke spark

ignites the air and fuel mixture.
The exhaust stroke spark is

'wasted’ and has no affect on
engine operation.
The theoretical output voltages

should be equal in magnitude, but
of opposite polarity. In practice, the
waste spark voltage is smaller (the
reason why is covered later).
One plug fires using a positive
voltage, the other fires using a
negative voltage. Next >
DIS Primary Circuit

Crankshaft sensor
Primary winding connected Other sensors
between 12V and ECU output.
Output on, current flows in primary

winding, building up magnetic field.
Spark required, output off, magnetic

field collapses, producing very high
secondary voltages.
As both plugs fire, system does not

need a method of determining which
plug requires a spark, it just needs to
know ‘when’ (crankshaft sensor).
Next >
Question 3
In an EI system, what directly causes the secondary circuit to fire?
A) The crankshaft rotation
B) The induction coil switching on
C) Switching the power supply on
D) The ECU turning the primary winding off

DIS Voltage Waveforms

The diagram
shows primary
and secondary
coil voltages.
Typically, the event

spark = 20000V.
Typically, the waste

spark = 1000V.
Next >
Typical Ford Distributorless Ignition System

This system has a coil for
each pair of spark plugs.
The ICM fires two spark plugs

at once, on the compression
and exhaust strokes.
The ICM is mounted

on a bulkhead, away
from coil pack.
It adjusts ignition timing by

monitoring engine speed,
load and temperature.
Next >
Question 4
How many coils will there be in a typical Ford 4 cylinder system?
Enter your answer and press SEND.

Question 5
In a 4 cylinder system, how many times will the crankshaft turn before
the same event cylinder fires again as an event cylinder?

Typical GM Distributorless Ignition System

This system uses an
ECU and an electronic
coil module (ECM).
The ECU monitors
sensors and sends
timing pulses to
the ECM.
When the ECM
receives correct signals
from crank / cam
sensors and the ECU, it
fires the appropriate
ignition coil.
The camshaft sensor replaces
the function of the distributor
cap and rotor arm. Next >
Question 6
In a typical GM distributorless ignition system, where does the
camshaft sensor send its signal?
A) To the crankshaft sensor
B) To the electronic control unit
C) To the electronic coil module
D) To the ignition coil

Direct Ignition Systems

System uses one ignition coil per spark plug.
Coils are mounted directly on top of spark plugs.
A ‘cassette’ assembly can be used to house multiple coils.
Coil
Advantages: Spark
 No spark plug leads, therefore no RFI. plug
 No mechanical wear due to moving parts.
 Compact packaging. Next >
Direct Ignition System Operation

This system is wired so that two coils
are switched by one ECU output.
It functions using the

‘waste spark’ principle.
The ECU controls ignition

timing using crankshaft and
other sensor information.
This system is wired so that coils are

switched by individual ECU outputs.
The ECU has to know the

position of cylinder 1.
It controls ignition timing using camshaft,

crankshaft and other sensor information. Next >
Question 7
How many coils will there be in a six cylinder direct ignition system?

Capacitor Discharge Ignition (CDI) Systems

Widely used in racing for high RPM operation.
Uses a capacitor to store energy

that is discharged through a coil,
at the required firing time.
Discharge time = 150 - 500μs.
Modern CDI systems produce multiple

sparks to overcome poor combustion
problems with lean mixtures.
CDI module and coil
Saab have fitted CDI as part of
their direct ignition system.
Next >
Typical CDI (DIS) System Operation

Power supply
converts 12V DC
into 400V, to
charge the
capacitor.
When a spark is
required, the
capacitor is
discharged
through a
primary winding.
This produces a high
voltage pulse across
a secondary winding
(typically 50,000V).
Charging and discharging timing is controlled by the computer. Next >
Question 8
Where does the capacitor discharge to in order to produce a
spark in a typical CDI system?
A) To the secondary winding
B) To the primary winding
C) To the relay
D) To the spark plug

Summary
You should now be aware of:
 DIS Primary and Secondary Circuits
 Typical Distributorless Ignition Systems
 Direct Ignition and Capacitor

Discharge Systems
End >

Electronic Ignition (EI) Systems

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4.

Electronic Ignition (EI) Systems

Electronic Ignition (EI) Systems

Topics covered in this presentation:

ClassAct SRS enabled.

The distributor was replaced with an electronic system to

Known as Electronic (EI) or Distributorless (DIS) Ignition systems. Next >

Typical DIS System Components

The advantages of a DIS system are:

A) Fewer moving parts

C) No mechanical load on engine

D) Less maintenance required

DIS Secondary Circuit

The two plugs are in cylinders whose

The compression stroke

The exhaust stroke cylinder

The cylinder head acts as a conductor

The compression stroke spark

The exhaust stroke spark is

The theoretical output voltages

DIS Primary Circuit

Output on, current flows in primary

Spark required, output off, magnetic

As both plugs fire, system does not

A) The crankshaft rotation

B) The induction coil switching on

C) Switching the power supply on

D) The ECU turning the primary winding off

DIS Voltage Waveforms

Typically, the event

Typically, the waste

Typical Ford Distributorless Ignition System

The ICM fires two spark plugs

The ICM is mounted

It adjusts ignition timing by

Enter your answer and press SEND.

Enter your answer and press SEND.

Typical GM Distributorless Ignition System

A) To the crankshaft sensor

B) To the electronic control unit

C) To the electronic coil module

D) To the ignition coil

Direct Ignition Systems

Direct Ignition System Operation

It functions using the

The ECU controls ignition

This system is wired so that coils are

The ECU has to know the

It controls ignition timing using camshaft,

Enter your answer and press SEND.

Capacitor Discharge Ignition (CDI) Systems

Uses a capacitor to store energy

Discharge time = 150 - 500μs.

Modern CDI systems produce multiple

Typical CDI (DIS) System Operation

A) To the secondary winding

B) To the primary winding

D) To the spark plug

 DIS Primary and Secondary Circuits

 Typical Distributorless Ignition Systems

 Direct Ignition and Capacitor

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