HITACHI Electronic Ignition Systems - HONDA: Operation

The reluctor is mounted on the distributor rotor shaft, secured with a roll pin and turns with the distributor shaft. As the reluctor turns, its 4 external teeth come in line with the 2 stator up-right teeth. As the reluctor approaches and passes the stator teeth, variations occur in the magnetic field around them. This causes the pulse generator to signal the ignitor.

Each time the reluctor teeth come in line and then pass the stator teeth, transistors inside the ignitor are turned off and on. This results in a magnetic field building and collapsing in the primary circuit of the ignition coil. When this field collapses, a voltage surge occurs in the secondary circuit of the ignition coil.

When this occurs, a high voltage spark is fed from the coil, through the distributor rotor and cap to the secondary wiring and spark plugs.

Fig 1: Disassembled View of Hitachi Distributor (Civic Models)

Courtesy of NOT AVAILABLE

Fig 2: Disassembled View of Hitachi Distributor (Accord and Prelude Models)

Courtesy of NOT AVAILABLE

Fig 3: Schematic of Ignition System (Accord and Prelude Models)

Courtesy of NOT AVAILABLE

Fig 4: Schematic of Ignition System (Civic Models)

Courtesy of NOT AVAILABLE