Vehicle Ignition System Basics

In this episode of Saturday Mechanic, Ben Wojdyla explains the basics on how an ignition system operates and how it has evolved over the years.

Who says you can't work on your own car anymore? Follow Popular Mechanics associate auto editor Ben Wojdyla as he leads viewers, step by step, through repairs, upgrades, and troubleshooting tips. Got car questions? Email Ben, and he may answer them on the show.

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[EarthtonesCymbals]

Videos like this make YouTube a valuable source of information. Well done sir and best wishes to you.

[knockout]

keep posting more. This helped me understand a lot for my automotive electrical class.

[Antoinbracken]

This is fantastic, I would love to see more of these tutorials from you on the different aspects of an engine and all other systems in a car. I've shared your videos with all my car fanatics here in Ireland.

[tamras]

Thanks for posting such a great video! This is by far the best instructional video I’ve ever seen YouTube or anywhere else. Very in depth and informative, very professional, and at just the right speed. I will definitely be looking for more of your videos. You’re an excellent teacher!

[spangles]

I learned more on this video then a semester class about cars in my school! Great video and Thanks for uploading it

[rubencosta]

This was pretty cool and you just mentioned what they been explaining to us in my automotive mechanics school for the pass 2 weeks in 7 minutes i can wait till we move on to the next thing

[patrickmccoy]

As a automotive tech student studying the ignition system basics this video explained the ignition system better than the book we use.

[northperthmechanic]

Nice video! People should watch this since it explains the basic system in vehicle ignition in a manner in which you understand it.

[ngafijonathan]

Thanks very much sr l really enjoyed the lesson. How can I join you when you on.

[vigeshpavithran]

Hey Thanks Man !! I Was Having An Exam On This Ignition System And You Helped Me !!!

[buddyboy]

The best explanation on ignition I have seen yet !!! thank you !!!

[svtwrc]

One other mention is the Distribution cap o-ring gasket. The video mentions a stumbling or low power issue as a result of water and or moisture in the cap and or the wires/plugs. If you can’t replace the o ring due to size and vintage you can get Permatex RTV sealant and carefully craft your own gasket o ring for you distributor cap just make sure it’s neat with no RTV getting into the points/internals of the cap/rotor.

[luckyamo]

I don't know Why I got into a $30k debt with UTI when I could've just learned everything from you Ben, on YouTube...

[azharmalik]

A very interesting and highly informative lecture. thanks

[VedafoneYT]

It looks like a great video, thanks for your explanation about the engine distribution system but if i have in my car the distributor cap only without the breaking points and the condenser where the coil have an i/p of 4 points and the normal secondary o/p>>>>what does that mean and how it works?

[oveazeus]

I'm restoring an old car, 56'. Thanks for the easy to understand principals.

[eduardorodriguez-ojzc]

Thanks for sharing knowledge sir
Very precise
distributor to camshaft and starter to crankshaft
Correct if wrong pls

[Bigblackee]

Pretty good visual to someone learning the information on paper only. ❤ thanks.

[losteroni]

Your video helped me troubleshoot a fifty year old forklift with no spark . I guess the wire from the key was shorted, when I checked for voltage at the coil during cranking it was only getting 2-3 volts . I ran hot wire from the battery and got spark . thanks !

[luismajalca]

you should make a video more in depth with the old toyota motor. i have that same motor in my AE86 and im having trouble with the ignition system. your video really really helped me. keep doing what your doing bro! your awesome. definitely subscribing!