Ignition modules

Safety

The primary current for the ignition coil can be 10 A or more. The electronics in the ignition module, which switch this current on and off, become very hot due to this high current (power loss). Therefore, all ignition modules have cooling surfaces or even heat sinks made from aluminium. Ignition modules should never be put into operation without the designated cooling measures, not even during testing. This would very quickly result in the electronics overheating and self-destructing.

Ignition modules which are screwed along with their cooling plates onto the chassis of the vehicle or other cooling plates should always be coated with a thermal heat sink paste in order to ensure optimum heat transfer. The plug connectors to ignition modules and ignition coils must always be clean and free from corrosion. Otherwise, contact resistances can cause malfunctions or even cable fires.

Note: Please only ever swap modules with matching reference numbers one for the other. Even if the housing and the plug connector, including the number of contacts, are the same, the electronics inside the module might be different.

Function

In order for a petrol engine to function, an ignition spark must be generated between the electrodes of the spark plug at the correct point in time in order to ignite the petrol/air mixture compressed by the piston. This ignition spark must have sufficiently high energy. Depending on requirements, voltages between approx. 28,000 V and approx. 35,000 V are necessary to generate sparking between the spark plug electrodes. However, as the battery in a passenger car only has a voltage of 12 V, the high voltage required must be generated by means of transformation. This function of transformation from 12 V to the necessary high voltage is performed in the vehicle by an ignition coil /an ignition transformer.

Environmental protection

The ignition is one of the significant factors influencing the exhaust gas values of a vehicle. Misfiring, mistimed ignition or insufficient ignition energy have an essential role to play here. An ignition module that is in perfect working order is therefore also good for climate protection.