an ignition systems insides and outs

The following article has been donated by Marcie E. Stoker of Everdrive.com, a leading used auto parts, Ford parts, and Honda parts provider.


The purpose of your car’s monstrous ignition system is to time a spark that ignites gas at the precise moment needed to power your engine. Several different parts work together to make this happen. Your car’s engine is basically a huge pump. Air and gas are pumped in, producing energy that turns the tires and moves the vehicle. That’s an oversimplification, but sufficient for learning how the components of the system work. Below, I’ll briefly describe the parts involved and take you through the process of igniting the gas and powering your engine.

Parts And Their Jobs

Your ignition system is comprised of spark plugs, a distributor (and cap), rotor, and coil. The coil is what transforms an electrical current from your car battery into a spark. When the coil successfully creates a spark (and it needs to be potent enough to actually ignite the fuel), the spark is transferred to your car’s distributor. The reason it’s called a distributor is because it spins and allocates the sparks from the coil to multiple spark plugs. It does that through the rotor.

The rotor spins with the distributor and contacts the cylinders of the engine. When it does this, it transfers the sparks to the spark plug wires. At this point, the spark has nearly traveled to where it needs to be. Each of the spark plug wires is attached to the distributor cap through its own contact point. Those wires send the spark directly to the spark plugs which are mounted in your car’s cylinder head. When the gases from the fuel flow into the cylinder, the spark ignites them, causing combustion.

The process I’ve just described happens over and over, tens of thousands of times while your car is in operation.

A Seamless System

Your ignition system is most effective when the sparks are precisely timed. In the past, this was done by employing a points-and-condenser module to tell the distributor when to allocate the sparks to the spark plugs. Today, most cars are equipped with computers (called ignition modules) that control the timing. They do so by notifying your car’s engine control unit about the placement of the pistons. If an ignition module fails, it’s usually necessary to replace it.

Over the past few years, manufacturers have begun experimenting with “distributorless” ignition systems. Rather than a single coil creating the sparks needed to ignite the fuel, each spark plug has its own coil. That effectively eliminates the need for the distributor. It’s still considered a young technology, but holds significant promise.

Posted under Technology by admin on Sunday 26 July 2009 at 11:33 pm

DSL Versus Satellite Broadband: Which Is Better?

Millions of people are confused about the differences between DSL and cable internet connections. Fewer still understand the advantages and disadvantages of satellite internet access. Potential subscribers who want to enjoy the fastest service for the lowest price are understandably bewildered by their choices. Fortunately, the decision is usually a simple one.

For most people, satellite broadband service will be a less than ideal choice. Below, we’ll explain how the service works and the type of customer most likely to use it. We’ll also explore how it compares to a DSL connection. You’ll likely find that if a conventional broadband alternative is available in your area, it will be a better solution.

Satellite Broadband In A Nutshell

In order to understand how satellite broadband (SB) compares to a digital subscriber line, it is worth reviewing how the technology works. The service does not use phone lines, fiber optics, or a cable infrastructure. Instead, the upload and download data transmission takes place via a dish and an orbiting satellite.

The dish must be installed so that it maintains a clear path skyward. If its “view” is obscured (for example, by trees, clouds, etc.), the data transmission may be slowed or temporarily severed.

One of the limitations of SB service is the rate at which you can upload and download data. You can download at rates up to 1.5 Mpbs and upload at 256 Kbps. While that is markedly faster than a dial-up modem, both throughput rates are significantly slower than those offered by a DSL connection.

Another limitation involves price. Given the slower performance of the technology, you would expect its price to be lower than that of a digital subscriber line. However, that is rarely the case. More often than not, SB service costs as much, if not more, than a conventional broadband connection.

Is A Digital Subscriber Line Better?

Simply put, yes. First, a digital subscriber line is normally less expensive on a monthly basis and it’s easier to install. Second, it will seldom require a long-term contract while an SB provider will push for such a commitment. Third (as noted above), the data transfer rate of DSL is almost always much faster than that offered by satellite internet. By contrast, SB will often carry a higher monthly bill, cost several hundreds of dollars to install, and offer a slower datastream. What’s more, it can be unreliable if the path of the dish is obscured in any way.

The reason SB customers use the service is because their alternatives are usually limited. Subscribers often live in areas that lay outside the territory serviced by DSL Internet Providers. In that case, the technology - as limited as it is - might be considered valuable. However, if you live in an area that is near a DSL provider, they will usually be able to offer the most value (i.e. speed, reliability, etc.) for the price.

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Posted under Technology by admin on Friday 26 June 2009 at 5:21 am

Best Selection of New and Used Vehicles

There are a lot of different cars on the market, and finding the right one for you can be tricky. Do you buy domestic or import? Standard or hybrid? Coupe, sedan, SUV, or truck? Whatever you decide, Conklin Cars Hutchinson has the vehicle for you. A leading provider of Kansas Honda, Kansas Nissan, and Kansas Cadillac cars, trucks, and SUVs, the staff at Conklin Cars Hutchinson is ready and willing to help you find the perfect car to fit your needs and your budget. If a new car isn’t in your future, they have a huge inventory of Hutchinson used cars and trucks as well that are all certified before they’re sold to you.

No matter what type of car you’re in the market for, take a look at Conklin Cars Hutchinson’s site, see what they have, and then pay them a visit. The welcoming staff there will be more than happy to find the perfect car, truck, or SUV for you.

Posted under Technology by admin on Sunday 24 May 2009 at 10:24 am

How To Increase Your Car’s Horsepower

This article has been provided by Jenna J. Evans of Everdrive.com, which provides used auto parts, used engines, used Ford parts, and used Honda parts


Do you want a big beast of a car engine? Most of us want more power and punch when we hit that gas pedal. Some of us crave it like a big piece of juicy steak. Well, unless you’re willing to shell out the big bucks for a 640-hp Lamborghini Murcielago (it’ll cost a bit more than a Toyota Corolla), you’ll need to approach the problem from another direction. Fortunately, there are a few easy steps you can take to boost the horsepower in your car without taking a second mortgage out on your home. Today, I’ll share a few of them with you.

Room For Improvement

Before we get into the steps to boost your car’s power, it’s important to realize that automakers compromise a lot when they build cars. They need the cars to pass emissions tests while keeping them affordable and reliable. That’s actually good news for you. It means you can upgrade certain components that will provide the extra horsepower you want. Here are a few ideas: Air Filter - Pistons create air resistance that suck power away from your car’s engine. You can reduce the amount of resistance by using a larger air filter. Plus, if you change it out regularly, you can keep it from becoming clogged with dust and other debris. It may not give you an extra 100 hp. But, every little bit helps.

Synthetic Oils - They cost a lot more than conventional motor oils, but synthetics can offer an instant performance advantage. They allow your engine to operate more easily in both hot and cold temperatures while reducing a lot of its friction. Because the friction eats away at your engine’s horsepower, eliminating it allows you to put the hp to better use.

Lighter Pistons - Heavier pistons make your engine work harder. Think about how they work. They travel back and forth, over and over, as your car barrels down the street. The problem is that they consume a lot of energy whenever they switch directions. That’s a drag on horsepower. If you replace the heavier pistons with lighter ones, they’ll use less energy and free up the extra power.

More Compression - This isn’t recommended for every car, so definitely speak with your mechanic about your particular make and model. The higher the compression ratio on your air-and-gas mix, the more power your engine will generate. But, there’s a potential drawback: there’s a point at which the additional compression can cause the air-and-gas blend to ignite. Filling up with higher-octane gas will prevent this, but you should still speak with your mechanic. There you have it. Four ways to give your car a little more power. None of them will turn your Ford Escort into a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, but a little boost here and there adds up.

Posted under Technology by admin on Sunday 24 May 2009 at 10:23 am

Cars, Trucks, and SUVs…Oh My

Whether you’re looking for a car, truck, or SUV, Conklin Cars Salina is your one-stop shop for all your vehicle needs. As a leading provider of Kansas Honda, Kansas Toyota, and Kansas Cadillac vehicles, they’ve got a huge selection of cars, trucks, and SUVs that fit every need and budget. If you’re in the market for a vehicle, big or small, there’s no reason not to check out Conklin Cars Salina, either online or in person. Visit them today to see what they’ve got on the lot and I’m confident you’ll be leaving in a new car, truck, or SUV sooner than you’d think possible.

Posted under Technology by admin on Sunday 24 May 2009 at 10:08 am

Accredited Degrees in a website

Before degree course can be enrolled at schools and university and learning school. But our life now are being dependent to technology and computer. Most of the things we need can now be found in the internet. Before research was done in the library. But now even at home you can research any topic in the internet and even with  images or videos. Shopping can now be done in the internet. Without going to the mall to buy accessories or clothes you can visit website that sells clothes and accessories and they will deliver your order at your home.

Now there is an Online Accredited Degrees where you can study at home without going out, travel to school, iron clothes for your proper uniform. Now education can be done in front of your computer. What good about it is that is accredited. You can follow the link to know more about it.

Posted under Technology by admin on Thursday 9 April 2009 at 1:52 pm