Servicing Ignition System

DLM 03 Developing print-based Learner’s Guide including all related documents
Notes Format of Learner’s Guide

Course: Automotive Servicing NC II
Unit of competency: Service Ignition System
Servicing Ignition System
Module: At the end of the session, learners should be able to:
Learning outcomes:

1. Prepare/Select Tools and Equipment
2 Check ignition system
3. Check Ignition Coil
4. Check Ballast
5. Adjust Contact Point
6. Perform Ignition Wiring Installation
7. Perform Ignition Timing
8. Repair Non Electronic Ignition System / components

Duration: 40 hours
Situating Learning: The senior supervisor of an automotive company calls the attention of the
newly hired automotive technician. The newly hired automotive technician
assigned to perform automotive works. The senior supervisor expect the
technician to have skills, knowledge and attitudes to:
1. Prepare tools and equipment.
2. Check Ignition System, Ignition Coil and Ballast Resistor.
3. Perform Spark Test.
4. Perform Ignition Wiring Installation.
5. Perform Ignition timing.
6. Repair non Electronic Ignition System

The technician must observe the Occupational Health and Safety and
personal hygiene while working.
In order to have a Competent output the technician shall:

- Observe safety when working
- Always follow manufactures manual and specification.
The technician shall complete the whole task as what is required in the job
requirements.

Assessment Criteria: 1. Tools and Equipment are Identified.
2. Checking Ignition system, Ignition Coil and Ballast resistor are identified.
3. Performing Spark Test is determined.
4. Preforming Ignition Wiring Installation are identified.
5. Performing ignition Timing is determined.
6. Repairing Non Electronic Ignition System are Identified.

Pedagogical Training in Instructional Design & Delivery for TVET Page 1
© 2010, Institute of Technical Education, Singapore

DLM 03 Developing print-based Learner’s Guide including all related documents
Notes Format of Learner’s Guide

Learning chunk Performance Criteria Learning Activities Learning documents
(Brief description of (Documents
strategies, sequence
of lesson, evaluation) referenced by each
learning activity)

1. Prepare/Select  Tools and 1.1 Identifying tools and Read information
Tools and Equipment are materials sheet 1.1.1 Identifying
Equipment check according to Tools
specification
Answer worksheet
1.1.2

2. Check ignition  Coil terminal of 2.1 Procedures in Read operation sheet
system, ignition coil is checking ignition 2.1.1 Checking
disconnected system Ignition system

Check Ignition Coil,  Ignition coil 2.2 Procedures in Answer worksheet
resistance is checking ignition coil 2.1.2

checked 2.3 Procedures in Read operation sheet
checking ballast 2.2.1 Procedures in
Check Ballast  Ballast resistor is resistor checking Ignition coil
Resistor checked
Answer Worksheet
2.2.2

Read operation sheet
3.1.1 procedure in
checking ballast
resistor

Answer Worksheet
3.1.2

3. Adjust Contact  Position contact 3.1 Steps in Adjusting Read operation sheet
Point point fully opened Contact point 3.1.1 steps in
adjusting Contact
 Contact point is point
adjusted
Answer Worksheet
3.1.2

4. Perform Ignition  Wiring installation is 4.1 Procedures in Read operation sheet
Wiring Installation 4.1.1 Procedure in
performed performing Ignition performing ignition
wiring installation
according to Wiring Installation

standard

Answer Worksheet
4.1.2

5. Perform Ignition  Ignition Timing is 5.1 Steps in performing Read operation sheet
Timing performed Ignition Timing 5.1.1 Steps in
according to performing Ignition
manufacturers timing
specification
Answer Work sheet
5.1.2

6. Repair Non  Ignition system/ 6.1 Procedures in Read operation sheet
Electronic Ignition components are repairing non 6.1.1 Procedures in
System / repaired without electronic ignition repairing non
components causing damage to system / component electronic ignition
any other vehicle system/ component
parts.
Answer Workshhet
6.1.2

Pedagogical Training in Instructional Design & Delivery for TVET Page 2
© 2010, Institute of Technical Education, Singapore

Job Sheet 1.1 Service Ignition System

Learning outcomes:
LO1 Check ignition system
LO2 Perform spark test
LO3 Check ignition coil resistance
LO4 Check ballast resistor
LO5 Adjust contact point clearance (if necessary)

Service Ignition System

Name _______________________ Station ___________________ Date __________________

Objective:
Upon completion of this job sheet, you will be able to demonstrate the ability to service the ignition
system of a vehicle. You must know how to perform this task in order to pass the competency
assessment. Before beginning, review the material on the topic in Chapters 24 and 25 of
AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY.

Tools and Materials
Service manual for the above vehicle
A tune-up kit

Protective Clothing
Safety goggles or glasses with the shields
Steel-toed shoes

Description of Vehicle:
Year______________________ Make_________________ Model__________________
VIN______________________ Engine Type and Size____________________________
Mileage _______________________

Describe the general operating condition:
___________________________________________________________________________

Firing order ________________________

Code No. Servicing Ignition System Date: Developed Date: Revised Page #
ALT723303
Sept. 20, 2010 Sept. 20, 2010 1

Job Sheet 1.1 Service Ignition System

PROCEDURE:

1. Check ignition system
2. Perform spark test
3. Check the ignition coil resistance
4. Check the ballast resistor
5. Adjust contact point

Problems Encountered:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Code No. Servicing Ignition System Date: Developed Date: Revised Page #
ALT723303
Sept. 20, 2010 Sept. 20, 2010 2

Worksheet 1.1 Service Ignition System

Learning outcomes:

LO1 Check ignition system
LO2 Perform spark test

LO3 Check ignition coil resistance
LO4 Check ballast resistor

LO5 Adjust contact point clearance (if necessary)

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. What are the five basic functions of an ignition system?
2. List and explain the six major parts of an ignition system.
3. An ignition system _________ circuit is used to supply direct battery voltage tot the system

during starter motor operation.
4. Define the terms “ignition system primary” and “ignition system secondary”.
5. An ignition coil is capable of producing this voltage output.

a. 10 kV.
b. 20 kV.
c. 30 kV.
d. none of the above.
6. The primary windings of an ignition coil are several hundred turns of heavy wire. True or
False?
7. When the current flowing through the ignition coil is broken, the magnetic field ________
and induces high __________ into the secondary.
8. Explain the difference between a contact point and pickup coil (electronic) distributor.
9. What is dwell?
10. An electronic ignition system uses an _______ circuit and a distributor _______ circuit and
a distributor __________ ___________ to operate the ignition coil.
11. The trigger wheel or reluctor causes a tiny ECU and ignition coil. True or False?
12. How does the pickup coil produce signals for the electronic control unit?
13. The ignition system ___________ or __________ ____________ is the “electronic switch”
that turns the ignition coil primary on and off.

Code No. Servicing Ignition System Date: Developed Date: Revised Page #
ALT723303
Sept.20,2010 Sept. 20, 2010 1

Worksheet 1.1 Service Ignition System

ANSWER KEY

1. The five basic functions of an ignition system are:
Provide a method of turning a spark ignition or petrol engine ON and OFF.
Be capable of operating on various supply voltages (battery or alternator voltage).
Produce a high voltage arc at the spark plug electrodes to start combustion.
Distribute high voltage pulses to each spark plug in the correct sequence.
Time the spark so that it occurs as the piston nears TDC on the compression stroke.
Vary spark timing with engine speeds, load, and other conditions.

2. The six major parts of an ignition system are:
BATTERY (provides power for system).
IGNITION SWITCH (allows driver to turn ignition and engine on and off).
IGNITION COIL (changes battery voltage into 30,000 volts or more).
SWITCHING DEVICE (contact points or electronic circuit that operates ignition coil).
SPARK PLUG (air gap in combustion chamber for electric arc).
IGNITION SYSTEM WIRES (conductors that connect components.

3. Bypass and resistance
4. Ignition system primary includes all of the components and wires operating on low voltage.

Ignition system secondary is the high voltage (30,000 volts or more) section. It consist of wires
and parts between the coil output and spark plug ground.
5. C. 30 kV.
6. True
7. Collapse, voltage
8. A contact point distributor uses mechanical breaker point to interrupt the primary current through
the ignition coil. Meanwhile, a pick-up coil is a transistor or electronic control circuit operate the
ignition coil. Pick-up coil and control unit replaced the contact point.
9. Amount of time point s remain close remain in degrees of distributor rotation.
10. Electronic control circuit, pick-up coil
11. True
12. As trigger wheel tooth passes the pick-up coil, it strengthens the magnetic field around the coil.
This causes a change in the current flow through the coil. As a result, an electrical pulse
(voltage current) is sent to electronic control circuit.
13. ECU or Amplifier or control module.

Code No. Servicing Ignition System Date: Developed Date: Revised Page #
ALT723303
Sept.20,2010 Sept. 20, 2010 2