How a Pickup Coil in a Distributor Works
by Chris GillilandPurpose
The distributor is an integral component of the ignition system, routing voltage from the ignition coil to fire the engine's spark plugs in sequence. The pickup coil determines this firing order as it spins within the distributor, using a magnetic sensor in place of mechanical breaker points.
Operation
The pickup coil consists of a hall effect sensor, which is housed within a metal rotor mounted on top of the distributor shaft. This shaft is spun by a gear that is driven by the camshaft. The rotor incorporates windows that open into a small gap between the rotor and a stationary permanent magnet. The number of windows correlates to the number of cylinders in the engine. As the rotor spins, the windows pass in front of the sensor, exposing it the magnet which triggers a signal to the car's ignition system which then fires a spark within the firing order.
The Hall Effect
The Hall effect is produced as an electrical current, or voltage, crosses a conductor. In terms of the pickup coil, the conductor is the sensor. The magnet within the rotor presents a current that is picked up by the sensor as the window passes by the sensor, which is then processed by the vehicle's ECU or ignition system.
References
- Performance ignition systems: electronic or breaker-point ignition system; Christopher Jacobs; Berkley Publishing Group; 1999
- Technical Information; Performance Distributors
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Auto Repair Vyvyan Lynn and Tony Molla; Alpha Books; 2007
Writer Bio
An avid motorcyclist, Chris Gilliland has immersed himself into the two-wheeled world while balancing work life and raising three daughters. When he is not managing the parts department of a local, multi-line motorcycle dealership, Gilliland can often be found riding, writing or working on his motorcycle blog, Wingman's Garage.
