When you’re looking for a new car, there are a lot of things to consider. Price, size, fuel efficiency, and more. But one thing that can be tough to decide is which ignition to choose. In this article, we’ll show you how to pick the right one for your needs.
What is an Ignition Switch?
An ignition switch is the mechanism that starts a car. It’s typically a small, round button on the center console or gearshift. When you turn the car’s key, the engine turns over, but the ignition switch isn’t actually turned on. That job falls to the coil pack, which is located under the hood and contains a bunch of electric wires.
When you first turn the key in your car, all of these wires are pulled taut. This sends a powerful current through each wire and straight to the coil pack. The coil pack quickly heats up and fires up the engine. The downside is that if any of these wires get damaged, your car won’t start. That’s why it’s so important to keep your ignition switch in good condition – it’ll keep your engine running smoothly.
How to Pick a Car Ignition
Ignition systems in cars can be a bit confusing, so we’ve put together a guide on how to choose the right one for your vehicle.
The first thing you’ll want to do is identify the make and model of your car. This information is usually located on a plaque or sticker near the engine. After you have this information, you can start to look at the different ignition systems available.
There are three main types of ignition systems: mechanical, electronic, and hybrid. Mechanical systems use a switch or lever to turn the engine on. Electronic systems use a computer to control the engine start-up. Hybrid systems use both mechanical and electronic systems.
The type of system you choose will depend on your needs. If you just need to turn the car on, a mechanical system is fine. If you need features like anti-theft coding or fuel injection, an electronic system may be better for you. And if you plan on adding hybrid features in the future, a hybrid system would be the best option.
After you have decided on the type of system, you’ll need to decide what type of battery it uses. Most electric ignition systems use either lead-acid or nickel-cadmium batteries
Types of Ignitions
There are many types of car ignitions, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a brief overview of the most common types.
Lead-Acid: This type of ignition uses a lead ion battery to produce an electric spark that starts the engine. Lead-acid batteries are heavy and can be costly to replace, but they’re also reliable and easy to work on.
Gasoline: The most popular type of ignition, gasoline engines use a spark from a piston in the cylinder to start the engine. Gasoline engines are less reliable than lead-acid engines, but they’re cheaper to operate and don’t require a battery.
Electric: Electric ignitions use an electric spark plug to start the engine. They’re more expensive than gasoline or lead-acid engines, but they’re also fuel efficient and easier to maintain.
How to Test an Ignition Switch
If your car won’t start, is it the battery, the starter, or the ignition? Here’s how to test each one:
1. Test the Battery
If your car will not start even with a fully charged battery, it’s likely that your battery is not the culprit. However, if your car previously started but now won’t with a fully charged battery, it’s possible that your battery is at fault. To test the battery, try starting your car with just the key in the ignition and see if it will turn over. If so, your battery is probably good. If you still can’t start your car with only the key in the ignition, it’s time to check out the starter.
2. Test the Starter
If your car will not start with a fully charged battery and a properly working starter, there’s a good chance that something is wrong with the ignition switch. To test the ignition switch, first remove the spark plugs (or use an electric starter) and try to start your car. If you can get it running, then most likely something is wrong with the switch. If you’re unable to start your car even after replacing or repairing all of its parts and still have problems
Conclusion
There are a few things you need to know before picking the car ignition. First, the type of ignition key your car uses will determine what kind of spark plug wire you need. If your car uses an Autolite or Bosch igniter, then you’ll need a 6P14 spark plug wire. If your car uses an ASE or Delcoignor igniter, then you’ll need a 5W30 spark plug wire. Second, the rev limit on your engine will also affect which ignition wire is right for it. The rev limit on most engines is around 7500 rpm, but there are some exceptions (for example, engines with a rev limit in the high hundreds of thousands rpm). Finally, if you ever have to change the ignition wiring in your car, make sure to get a new key as well.