Car Parts and Services: Ignition & Tune-Up

Introduction and Overview

Although all your ignition system does is produce a spark, it has to be timed perfectly with the engine function and give up just the right amount of electricity to ignite your fuel. The gasoline in the pistons must be ignited at just the right time for maximum fuel efficiency and power for your car; otherwise, the “timing” is off and the car does not run well.

How the System Works

This spark must happen an instant before the piston reaches the top of the compression stroke of a four-stroke engine (which most are have). However, as the engine speeds up and slows down, so must the spark production. Not only that, the spark must be delivered to the proper piston. This is a complicated job, and is done by the distributor. Some cars now have an ignition system that does not use distributors. When you hear about cars that don’t need tune ups for a hundred thousand miles, that’s the kind of car that’s being referred to. The tune up replaces old worn parts of a distributor and plug wires.

Although the modern distributorless system provides sparks to ignite the gasoline in the pistons, this engine control unit (ECU) controls the timing completely by itself. There are no distributor parts to wear out and no plug wires to replace. Many people like the idea of not having to have tune ups like they did with older cars, but more importantly, these systems help the car reduce emissions and run more smoothly.

Car Parts and Repair Issues

The downside of the new ignition system is that it’s difficult for the ordinary automobile owner to repair. Many of today’s car repairs must now be done by specialists trained in computerized compenents, and require special tools and diagnostic equipment. Today’s cars must have precise repairs, and the days of judging whether a car is fixed by its sound and operation are largely gone unless you collect antique cars.

Although the new cars require specialized repairs and diagnoses, they have also reduced emissions and brought us closer to realizing a clean-burning car. This type of ignition system—and engine technology in general—has brought us one step closer to stopping the damage we’ve done to the atmosphere. Keep your car’s ignition system in good order to continue doing your part.