Car ignition modules
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Car Ignition Modules
Ignition Modules or Ignition Control Modules control when the coil fires the spark plug in a modern engine. They started life in or mounted on the distributor as electronic or breaker less ignition modules. The contact set or points were replaced with these and it increased reliability as points needed regular adjustments.
The cars computer has taken over and made the distributor redundant. Instead of using a single coil and the distributor to fire the plugs, each plug now has its own coil. The ignition module still controls when the plug ignites the fuel/air mix in the cylinder heads combustion chamber. Unlike the distributor which has a lot of mechanical moving parts and handles the high voltage, the ignition module simply gives the order (trigger) to the coil pack to fire the spark plug.
The distributor got its timing mechanically as its drive gear was in constant mesh with the gear on the camshaft. The ignition module gets its timing electronically from either the crankshaft position sensor or the camshaft position sensor. These 2 items monitor their parts and know exactly where they are at all times and where the motor is in its firing order.
Popular Questions Asked
What are the symptoms of a failing Ignition Module?
If an ignition module failure is bad enough the car won't run. It can misfire causing the engine to run rough and not deliver smooth power or the acceleration may be sluggish. The engine may stall and need to be restarted or the check engine light may be on. It is hard to diagnose and best done with a scan tool. A scan tool is your best friend in diagnosing issues in modern engines.
What causes the Ignition Control Module to fail?
Heat in an engine is never very good for electrical components. Eventually their shielding or insulation breaks down and they fail. This would be the main cause though contaminants like oil, dust and water don't help either.
Are Ignition Modules easy to replace?
They are, it is the diagnostics that can be more difficult.
