DURASPARK II Ignition System Operation

All 5.8L carbureted engines use Duraspark II ignition system. All 4-Cylinder Probe vehicles use an ignition system that is similar to Duraspark II. Each system consists of a breakerless distributor, ignition module, ignition coil, ignition ballast resistor, ignition switch, and battery.

The rotating reluctor causes fluctuations in a magnetic field produced by stator/pick-up coil assembly. These fluctuations induce a voltage in the stator/pick-up coil which sends a signal to the ignition module.

The occurrence of this signal to ignition module, in relation to initial spark timing, is controlled by centrifugal and vacuum advance mechanisms. Centrifugal advance controls spark timing in response to engine RPM. Vacuum advance controls spark timing in response to engine load.