Points . Ignition points are a set of electrical contacts that switch the coil on and off at the proper time. The points are opened and closed by the mechanical action of the distributor shaft lobes pushing on them. The points have a tough job, switching up to eight amps of current many times per second at highway speed.
Full Answer
How to set distributor points?
What is dwell on spark plugs?
Why is it important to check ignition timing after you adjust distributor points?
When does the spark discharge?
Do you need a dwell meter for distributor points gap?
How do points in a distributor work?
Points. Ignition points are a set of electrical contacts that switch the coil on and off at the proper time. The points are opened and closed by the mechanical action of the distributor shaft lobes pushing on them. The points have a tough job, switching up to eight amps of current many times per second at highway speed ...
How do you file points on a distributor?
2:3313:42Classic Car Tech-Setting Up A Point Ignition - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFile. You're gonna need well you have to grease these things and you can use just like wheel bearingMoreFile. You're gonna need well you have to grease these things and you can use just like wheel bearing grease put it just a slightest swipe of it on the cam lobes. You know in a distributor. But.
How often should you change ignition points?
“When everything is working exactly as it should, the points should be changed every 8,000 to 10,000 miles,” Nobles said. “The only way around that is to switch to some form of electronic ignition.” THE SOLUTION: To replace the mechanical points in your car, there are, basically, two options.
Does a distributor have points?
A set of contact points inside the distributor are open and closed by lobes on distributor shaft as the engine spins. When the points are open, current is sent through the coil's primary windings, creating an electric field. This sets up a magnetic field in the coil's ferrous core.
What causes ignition points to burn out?
The usual causes for pitted or burned points are setting the points too close or having a bad condenser.
What happens if point gap is too big?
If the spark plug gap in your vehicle is too big, the spark plugs will need a higher voltage to get the ignition spark to cross the gap. The engine can't always provide the extra voltage needed to cross the gap, so the spark is weaker and won't ignite your fuel mixture properly.
How do I know if my ignition points are still good?
A 12-volt test light is your best friend when diagnosing ignition problems that keep a car from running. If your car still has points, a tach/dwell meter and a timing light—preferably a dial-back type—are pretty important cousins to your test light when it comes to figuring out why it's running poorly.
Can points cause no spark?
If no spark is visible, check to see if the points or wires are shorting to ground either at the points or at the primary terminal screw going through the housing. Also check where the contact spring connects to the main frame of the points and make sure the insulator is not melted. 3.
What happens if you hold ignition too long?
What happens if you hold the ignition for too long? Holding the ignition after the vehicle begins running often results in damage. The gear that engages with the flywheel continues to run, and that's not alright. It can affect your starter, break teeth on your flywheel, and even overheat the engine.
How do I check my distributor points?
3:0310:03How to Set Points Gap & Replace Condenser in a Bosch DistributorYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what you need to do is grab a spanner. And turn the engine over by hand until the little nylonMoreSo what you need to do is grab a spanner. And turn the engine over by hand until the little nylon follower on the points is at the peak of one of those lobes. It doesn't matter which.
How long do distributor points last?
They're used constantly – every time your car is cranked and then the entire time the engine runs. This puts a lot of wear and tear on them (hence the reason better, more durable ignition systems have been created for newer cars). In general, you can expect your points and condenser to last around 15,000 miles or so.
How do I know if my distributor has points?
How do you know if your older car has points? It's fairly simple. If you open your hood, be sure your car has a distributor cap with very thick wires coming out of the top and going to each spark plug. If you don't have a standard distributor cap like this, you don't have points.
Can you file ignition points?
Ignition point files are used as an abrasive for cleaning electrical contacts in tight spaces, generally for the removal of rust. The components that they clean are found in car engines, and are usually coated with tungsten, which is how the file earned its other name.
How do you set contact points?
2:534:15How to - Replacing Contact Breaker Points // Supercheap Auto - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUsing a feeler gauge of the correct manufacturer's specifications gently adjust the points with aMoreUsing a feeler gauge of the correct manufacturer's specifications gently adjust the points with a screwdriver. Until the points gap is in accordance with specifications.
How do I check my distributor points?
3:0310:03How to Set Points Gap & Replace Condenser in a Bosch DistributorYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what you need to do is grab a spanner. And turn the engine over by hand until the little nylonMoreSo what you need to do is grab a spanner. And turn the engine over by hand until the little nylon follower on the points is at the peak of one of those lobes. It doesn't matter which.
How do you know if you have a bad distributor point?
Bad point connections cause engine overrun, timing issues, speed missing and causes the engine to misfire or fail to start. Look closely at the surface of contact points. Check for corrosion or degradation. If the points look burned or the contacts have eroded or a worn out block, these parts need replacing.
How to set dwell AND point gap correctly? | The H.A.M.B.
which is a function of the points gap and the shape of the cam. As you increase the gap,the dwell angle goes down. With dual point distributors,you can get fancy moving points back and forth. On a single point distributor,it doesn't work that way. If it runs decently with the points gap,and initial timing,set correctly, you need a new meter.
QUICK SET POINT SETTING TOOL - BRATTON'S
Use this handy tool to easily adjust the points on your car. This special made tool slips over the distributor cam and allows you to set the points without turning the engine over to find the high lobe. A great time saver for when you are on tour or just want to double check the point gap quickly.
What was the basic ignition system in 1975?
The principles were the same and it simplified the ignition system. The basic ignition system consists of the ignition coil, points, condenser, distributor, and spark plugs. A ballast resistor may also be included in this system.
How to set dwell on GM distributor?
In fact, most all GM distributor caps have a little door that allows access to the points so the dwell can be adjusted while the engine is running. On engines that don't have that access, you need to be a little more creative. What we do is remove all the spark plugs from the engine, set up the points, turn the key on and crank the engine while adjusting the point dwell. Once it's set, we lock them down and finish the tune-up.
Why does inductance create a paradox?
Those same principles of inductance create a kind of paradox because when the points open and the magnetic field collapses, it also induces a current in the primary as well. It's not very much because there are only a few windings in the primary, but it's enough to jump a small air-gap, such as the one between the just-opening points in the distributor. That tiny spark is enough to erode metal away from the points and you'll 'burn' the points. It prevents the points from arcing and prevents coil insulation breakdown by limiting the rate of voltage rise at the points.
How does an ignition coil work?
The way an ignition coil works lies in the physical properties of electrical current. When a current flows through a conductor, it generates a magnetic field around the conductor. Conversely, when a conductor is moved through a magnetic field, a voltage will be induced in the conductor.
Why do we need a ballast resistor?
The ballast resistor lowers voltage after the engine is started to reduce wear on ignition components. It also makes the engine much easier to start by effectively doubling the voltage provided to the ignition coil when the engine is being cranked. Not all car manufacturers used a ballast resistor in their ignition systems, so you should check to see if yours does.
What happens when a coil is open?
When the points open, the current through the coil is disrupted, and the field collapses. The collapsing field tries to maintain the current through the coil. Without the condenser, the voltage will rise to a very high value at the points, and arcing will occur.
How to measure point gap?
To measure the point gap, you need a set of feeler gauges. Adjusting the point gap is a simple process, but it takes some practice to get the hang of doing it properly. First, make sure the rubbing block is on the high point of one of the cam lobes.
What are product distributors?
Product distributors are an intermediary between a manufacturer and a retail supplier. Distributors can sell and deliver products so manufacturers can focus solely on production.
What is distributor in retail?
A distributor sells products directly to consumers and fulfills orders for retailers. They can perform customer service duties like answering customer questions and handling product returns. Unlike other roles in the distribution process, a distributor specializes in targeting and selling products to a particular market segment. Using this specialty, they can perform market analysis to ensure products are selling according to plan.
What is selective distributorship?
Selective. Unlike an intensive distributor, a selective distributor sells products to specific retailers that match a producer's target market or branding. A benefit of a selective distributorship is that manufacturers can have greater control over their customer base and use this control to set higher prices.
What is direct to consumer sales?
Direct-to-consumer sales: In direct-to-consumer sales distribution, a manufacturer sells goods directly to consumers without a middleman like a distributor or retailer.
What is wholesaler in business?
Wholesaler. A wholesaler fulfills retailers' orders for stock. They can buy goods in bulk from manufacturers or distributors to get a discounted price and sell the goods to retailers for more than they paid the manufacturer in order to gain a profit from the transaction.
What is distributorship contract?
A distributorship is typically a contractual agreement between a producer and a distributor where each party has to meet certain goals in order to fulfill the obligations of the relationship. For example, a distributorship contract could require a manufacturer to produce a certain number of products in exchange for the distributor selling the products at an agreed-upon price.
What is direct distribution?
A direct distributor sells products directly to a store, rather than its distributor. A benefit of direct distribution is they can often sell and stock products faster than other types of distributors. This benefit can allow direct distributors to enter into beneficial relationships with retailers, who enjoy the direct distributor's ability to supply the necessary amount of stock to meet consumer demand.
What do spark plugs do?
What The Spark Plugs and Their Wires Do. You will probably be thankful to hear that these last few parts are pretty simple. The spark plug wires or ignition wires are insulated wires that carry the power to the spark plugs. The spark plugs are what finally produce the spark that causes combustion.
How to tell if spark plugs are bad?
Since the results are so similar, it may be hard to tell what part is causing your problem. A good first step in determining your problem is to visually inspect the parts. You may be able to identify wear to the distributor or cracks in the distributor cap. You may notice cracks in the spark plug wire insulation. If you remove the spark plugs, you may see that they are pitted, fouled, covered in soot, or otherwise in poor shape.
How does a distributor work?
That moves other distributor parts that cause the ignition coil to pulse, and sends the electricity down each spark plug wire in order. The power travels down the spark plug wires to the spark plugs and causes sparks. The sparks ignite the fuel and air in the engine cylinders.
How does an ignition system work?
Most ignition systems in automotive history have used a distributor to send electricity to the right cylinder at the right time. More recent distributor-less or direct ignition systems forego the mechanical distributor and use electronic sensors and the vehicle's computer, the engine control unit (or ECU), to control the spark timing. In both these systems, the goal is to get the spark plugs to spark in the correct order and at the ideal time to keep combustion occurring smoothly, in each cylinder, in sequence.
Why is my spark timing thrown off?
Problems with different ignition parts can cause similar problems. If you have problems with the distributor, the spark plug wires or the spark plugs, the results will be the same. The spark timing will be thrown off or one or more spark plugs might not produce a spark at all.
What happens when a camshaft spins?
The faster the camshaft is spinning—and by extension, the faster the valves are opening and closing—the faster the distributor will spin, and the faster the sparking sequence will go. This neatly times the valves that feed fuel and air to the cylinders to the distributor that supplies the spark.
What is the role of the distributor in a car?
The distributor is like a traffic cop for electricity.
How to check if a battery is short?
Use your voltmeter to check for a short to ground between the battery and the points. Block the points open with a small piece of wood and put one probe on the appropriate battery terminal and the other probe on the point itself. Just make sure that you have your polarities straight. With the points blocked open one will be positive, the other negative. If the meter doesn’t show any voltage when the probe is on the “spring clip,” you may have a bad insulating washer at the distributor, which would let electricity go to ground through the block before going to the points. Test for continuity between the block and the negative coil terminal to confirm this theory. Test for continuity between the block and the stationary point attached to the distributor plate.
What is a breaker point ignition system?
Breaker point ignition systems were, until the advent of electronic ignition systems, used on millions of engines . From the engines powering rum runners of the 1930s to all those Jeeps in World War II, all of them had breaker point ignition systems. Simple to troubleshoot and repair, they are, like anything else, ...
How do breaker points work?
The breaker points open and close as the distributor shaft rotates. One half of the point set is fixed, the other half pivots and there is a rubbing block on the moveable half of the point set. The distributor shaft has lobes that contact the rubbing block. These lobes act as cams to push the points open, thereby breaking the electrical connection between the points. The points have a spring clip that acts to hold the points shut, and this spring causes the moveable point to snap back into contact with the stationary point mounted to the distributor plate when the cam rotates out of contact. If this is unclear, take the distributor cap off of a breaker point-equipped engine and rotate the engine manually, watching the parts move. The interplay will become obvious.
How many circuits does a coil have?
The coil has two circuits in it; the primary, which runs from the positive coil terminal to the negative coil terminal; and the secondary circuit, which goes from the positive terminal on the coil to the ignition wire in the center of the distributor cap.
How to check a resistor?
You can check the resistor with an ohmmeter. Get the resistance of the resistor from the manual for your engine (some resistors may have their ohm rating marked on them). The coil can be checked the same way.
What is a spring clip?
The spring clip is electrically insulated from the distributor body so that the primary circuit is grounded only when the points are closed . When the points are touching each other electricity runs from the battery, through the coil and to the engine block, which is grounded to the negative terminal on the battery.
What to do if your engine isn't running?
If your engine isn’t running and you suspect the ignition system, the first thing to do is look the whole thing over for anything that is obviously wrong, like loose or broken wires. Push down hard on the boots at the end of the spark plug wires to make sure that they are on securely.
How does the secondary winding dissipate energy?
The energy in the secondary winding dissipates as the spark plug fires, and the current stored in the condenser discharges back through the primary circuit. The process is ready to start again on the next ignition rotation of the engine.
How many coils are in an ignition coil?
The ignition coil consists of two coils of wire – primary and secondary – within the plastic housing. The secondary winding has a great many more coils than the primary winding. The exact number will be determined by the manufacturer for the specific motorcycle model. While the contact breaker is “closed” or connected to earth, ...
How does a contact breaker work?
While the contact breaker is “closed” or connected to earth, current is flowing from the battery positive terminal to earth. The current flowing through the primary ignition coil sets up a magnetic field. When the engine rotation reaches the proper place, the cam begins to rotate around and opens the breaker points, ...
How many volts does a secondary coil have?
Since the secondary winding has a great many more windings than the primary, the induced voltage is very high, perhaps around 15,000 volts. The secondary coil is connected to the spark plug. This very high voltage is sufficient to make an arc jump across the spark plug gap. The energy in the secondary winding dissipates as the spark plug fires, ...
What is the ignition system on an older motorcycle?
An essential part in any “elderly” motorcycle is the ignition system, operated via a “contact breaker” or “breaker points” ignition system. Later motorcycles dispensed with the contact breaker in lieu of electronics, which we will cover in a later article.
What is the function of a condenser?
The condenser has a very important function here. The current flowing in the primary circuit would tend to arc across the breaker gap as it opens, and dissipate all the energy in the primary coil. The condenser absorbs the current and brings the flow to a quick stop.
What happens when a magnetic field moves?
And conversely, when a magnetic field moves, it can “induce” or move a current in a wire. The “primary” circuit is connected from the battery positive terminal, the primary winding in the ignition coil, and to the contact breaker.
How Does an Ignition Switch Work?
The ignition system depends on completing a circuit for the battery so that energy can flow from the battery to the electronic ignition coil, electricity’s next stop on its way to the spark plug.
What is the job of a distributor?
The distributor is a vital part of the ignition system . Cars have multiple cylinders (e.g., 4-cylinder, 6-cylinder, etc.). Each cylinder needs to receive its spark to ignite the fuel and air mixture at the correct time. The correct time is when the piston, which rotates through a complete 360o circle is just before top dead center on its combustion stroke. It is only at its optimal location for a spark for a tiny fraction of a second. Therefore, timing each spark to occur at the exact right moment in each of the cylinders is critical. This is the job of the distributor.
What type of ignition system does a car use?
Modern cars use an electronic ignition system. For example, the internal combustion engine requires a high-energy spark to jump the spark plug gap at a precise time.
What happens when the car is sitting and the ignition is off?
Normally, when a car is sitting and the ignition is off, the battery is not connected to the system and holds energy. However, once the ignition key is turned on, a circuit is completed, allowing the battery’s electricity to start flowing.
What is distributor timing?
Therefore, the “timing” must be occasionally adjusted on cars with traditional distributors. In older cars this is done with a distributor timing light, much like a times strobe light. It ensures that the high-voltage electricity will be released into the cylinder at the correct time.
Where is the ignition coil located?
In most modern cars, the standard ignition coil has been replaced with a coil for each cylinder of the engine. The ignition coils are found on top of each spark plug but they work the same way as the original coil in that they converted low-voltage current to the high-voltage needed by the spark plug.
What is the purpose of the modern automobile?
At its core, the modern automobile is identical to that of the first car made with an internal combustion engine by Karl Benz in the 1880s: to get from one place to another faster and easier than using two legs to carry us.
What does a spark plug do?
The spark plug uses a spark from the distributor to ignite the fuel mixture that keeps the engine operating. High voltage passes through the whole distributor system during vehicle operation. But if there is a problem with it, the voltage will not be supplied to the correct spark plugs to ensure the engine is running.
What happens when a rotor contacts the spark plug?
Finally, as the rotor makes contact with the internal terminal of the spark plug in the distributor cap, a high voltage electrical pulse travels to the spark plug and gives a spark within the cylinder head.
How does a running engine work?
A running engine gives a high power to the rotor through the ignition coil that rotates inside the distributor. The rotor transmits energy through spark plug wires to the cylinders of the engine in a typically correct firing sequence.
What is the cover on a distributor?
As the name suggests, it is the cover that protects the internal parts of the distributor system and maintains contact between the internal rotor and the spark plug wires.
How does an ignition distributor work?
When the distributor shaft began to rotate, it also rotates the cam and rotor of the distributor. While the cam rotates it pushes the cam follower that is connected to the contact breaker.
What is a distributor lobe?
It is a part of a distributor that is attached to the distributor shaft and rotates with it. It consists of lobes to open the contact breaker point. The number of lobes in the distributor is similar to the number of cylinders.
What is the main function of a car distributor?
The main function of the car distributor is to provide the high voltage current produced by the secondary coil to the correct spark plugs in the correct firing order and at the correct time. Now let’s see what are the parts of a distributor.
How to set distributor points?
To set your distributor points by checking the dwell you need a dwell meter, a tool to adjust the points, and steady hands. Setting the points by checking the dwell is much more accurate than setting the points gap but you have to do it while the engine is running and it can be very tricky. Not to mention you need a dwell meter.
What is dwell on spark plugs?
The dwell is the amount of time the points we show here with a gap between them are closed. If you reduce the points gap they will ride closer to the shaft of the distributor and therefore be closed longer (more dwell). If you open the gap the contacts on the points are touching for a shorter amount of time so you get less dwell. The goal of these points is to close and power your ignition coil so it can “charge up” and be able to produce the 10s of thousands of volts your spark plug needs then open at just the right time to send that energy to the spark plug.
Why is it important to check ignition timing after you adjust distributor points?
As we mentioned earlier, the spark is discharged when your points open so adjusting the gap will change when the spark event occurs. This means it’s important to check your ignition timing after you’ve adjusted your distributor points.
When does the spark discharge?
As we mentioned earlier, the spark is discharged when your points open so adjusting the gap will change when the spark event occurs. This means it’s important to check your ignition timing after you’ve adjusted your distributor points.
Do you need a dwell meter for distributor points gap?
Setting the points by checking the dwell is much more accurate than setting the points gap but you have to do it while the engine is running and it can be very tricky. Not to mention you need a dwell meter. Adjusting your distributor points gap just requires the right set of feel gauges and some patience!
