Electronic Ignition: Operation: Distributor
The distributor consists of a reluctor (toothed wheel), mounted on the distributor shaft, and a permanent magnet, pick-up coil, and pole piece.
As the distributor shaft turns, the reluctor turns with it. See Fig 1. As each tooth of the reluctor passes the magnetic pick-up coil, a voltage pulse is produced in the magnetic pick-up coil. This pulse is transmitted from the distributor to the switching transistor, mounted externally on the electronic control unit. No moving parts contact each other in the distributor and there is no need for regular adjustments.