Ignition System - HITACHI Electronic: Operation
Regardless of model, all distributors are equipped with a reluctor and stator, although the shapes may differ. The reluctor, which is mounted on the rotor shaft assembly, turns with the distributor shaft inside the stator.
As each reluctor tooth approaches and passes the stator teeth, the magnetic field changes, creating an electrical signal in the pick-up coil. This signal is received and processed by the IC ignition unit.
The IC ignition unit turns on or cuts off current flow to the ignition coil primary circuit. When current to the primary is turned off, a high voltage surge is created in the secondary circuit, which fires the spark plug.
Ignition timing is controlled by the relationship of the reluctor to the stator. All circuits are contained in one IC ignition unit. Failure of any circuit requires replacement of entire IC ignition unit.