Conventional Ignition (CI) System

The CI system was common in vehicles from about 1920 to the mid 1970s. This system is considered a mechanical type ignition system because mechanical contact points in the distributor control the spark by opening and closing the primary circuit of the ignition coil. The condenser helps to suppress arcing between the points which can cause pitting and corrosion. Tune-ups during this age were frequent – sometimes every 5,000 to 10,000 miles (≈8,000 to 16,000 km).