Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

Honda is certainly not the only car manufacturer that uses ignitors (= igniters
= ignition control module).

I see igniters listed online for sale for 1984 Plymouth Reliants. E.g. see
http://www.plymouthpartstore.com/ , which says they have them for $79 for the
smaller, 2.2 liter engine and over $135 for the larger, 2.6 liter engine (not
counting shipping costs).

This particular site calls the part "ignition control module," but I bet the
exact same part for your car is also routinely called "igniter" or "ignitor."

Lots on the net on the subject...

"Al Smith" <ecarecar@yahoo.com> wrote
> OK. So, what does Chrysler call it?
>
> My mother's 1984 Plymouth Reliant died last year. The local garage
> guy said he put in a new ignitor. It worked and didn't cost
> a lot, so I didn't worry about except that I thought to myself,
> "What the hell is an ignitor?"
>
> Apparently, it is what you call left-over ignition parts that
> you don't have any other name for.
>
> "Randolph" <trash@junkmail.com> wrote
> > Honda actually calls it an Ignition Control Module, others call it an
> > ignition amplifier. As a mechanical engineer you probably appreciate the
> > old style ignition with points in the distributor. The way Honda does
> > (did?) electronic ignition, the ECU sends out a pulse every time it
> > wants voltage to be applied to the coil primary (based on solid state
> > sensors in the distributor housing). The igniter is not much more than a
> > power transistor that receives this pulse from the ECU and in turn does
> > the actual switching of power to the coil primary.
> >
> > I don't know if this is why Honda did it this way, but the wire to the
> > coil primary switches a fair amount of current, and the harmonic content
> > is very high. It is a nasty RF noise radiator and by keeping the wire
> > only a few inches long, neatly tucked into the distributor housing, the
> > radiation is kept to a minimum.
> >
> > Al Smith wrote:
> > >
> > > I gotta ask. What is an ignitor? What does it do?
> > >
> > > I am a mechanical engineer. I know all about the Otto
> > > cycle, but an ignitor?
> > >
> > > "Caroline" <caroline10027remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> > > news:uryPb.22207$zj7.8223@newsread1.news.pas.earth link.net...
> > > > "Jason Faas" <jpfaasNOSPAM@neb.rr.com> wrote
> > > > Caroline wrote:
> > > > > > This the first time you replaced the ignitor? How many miles at
> each
> > > > > > replacement?
> > > > >
> > > > > Yep, this is my first time. I have only owned the car for about
> 5,000
> > > > > miles. It is now at 126,000 and is in excellent condition. The
> > > distributor
> > > > > was replaced at 119,000 and I don't know if they would have replaced
> the
> > > > > igniter then or used what was in it.
> > > >
> > > > FWIW, from my experience, they wouldn't necessarily replace the
> igniter.
> > > Its too
> > > > expensive.
> > > >
> > > > > Hopefully the one I pulled lasted more
> > > > > than 7,000 miles! I should say I hope the new one lasts a long,
> long
> > > > > time...
> > > >
> > > > I think I'm going to replace mine regularly now, at about every 80k
> miles.
> > > >
> > > >
>
>

Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

"Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message
news:Xns9477CEB53310Djyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21.. .
> "Al Smith" <ecarecar@yahoo.com> wrote in
> news:100u7o0h5bgj43c@corp.supernews.com:
>
> > I gotta ask. What is an ignitor? What does it do?
> >
> > I am a mechanical engineer. I know all about the Otto
> > cycle, but an ignitor?
> >
>
>
> It's what Honda called the ignition control module,that switches the
> current thru the ignition coil in place of the old-style breaker points no
> longer in use.
>
> here's a pic and some info on one.
> http://www.gcw.org.uk/rover/igniter.htm
>
> --
> Jim Yanik
> jyanik-at-kua.net

Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

"Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message
news:Xns9477CEB53310Djyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21.. .
> "Al Smith" <ecarecar@yahoo.com> wrote in
> news:100u7o0h5bgj43c@corp.supernews.com:
>
> > I gotta ask. What is an ignitor? What does it do?
> >
> > I am a mechanical engineer. I know all about the Otto
> > cycle, but an ignitor?
> >
>
>
> It's what Honda called the ignition control module,that switches the
> current thru the ignition coil in place of the old-style breaker points no
> longer in use.
>
> here's a pic and some info on one.
> http://www.gcw.org.uk/rover/igniter.htm
>
> --
> Jim Yanik
> jyanik-at-kua.net

Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

"Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message
news:Xns9477CEB53310Djyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21.. .
> "Al Smith" <ecarecar@yahoo.com> wrote in
> news:100u7o0h5bgj43c@corp.supernews.com:
>
> > I gotta ask. What is an ignitor? What does it do?
> >
> > I am a mechanical engineer. I know all about the Otto
> > cycle, but an ignitor?
> >
>
>
> It's what Honda called the ignition control module,that switches the
> current thru the ignition coil in place of the old-style breaker points no
> longer in use.
>
> here's a pic and some info on one.
> http://www.gcw.org.uk/rover/igniter.htm
>
> --
> Jim Yanik
> jyanik-at-kua.net

Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

"Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message
news:Xns9477CEB53310Djyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21.. .
> "Al Smith" <ecarecar@yahoo.com> wrote in
> news:100u7o0h5bgj43c@corp.supernews.com:
>
> > I gotta ask. What is an ignitor? What does it do?
> >
> > I am a mechanical engineer. I know all about the Otto
> > cycle, but an ignitor?
> >
>
>
> It's what Honda called the ignition control module,that switches the
> current thru the ignition coil in place of the old-style breaker points no
> longer in use.
>
> here's a pic and some info on one.
> http://www.gcw.org.uk/rover/igniter.htm
>
> --
> Jim Yanik
> jyanik-at-kua.net

Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

as far as i know igniters cannot be fixed but they are not very expensive
and can be easily replaced if u are good with your hands in tight spaces you
will be fine i did mine on my 91 civic in under 45 minutes. after replacing
all wires and checking the coil and replacing the cap and rotor



"Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message
news:Xns9477CEB53310Djyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21.. .
> "Al Smith" <ecarecar@yahoo.com> wrote in
> news:100u7o0h5bgj43c@corp.supernews.com:
>
> > I gotta ask. What is an ignitor? What does it do?
> >
> > I am a mechanical engineer. I know all about the Otto
> > cycle, but an ignitor?
> >
>
>
> It's what Honda called the ignition control module,that switches the
> current thru the ignition coil in place of the old-style breaker points no
> longer in use.
>
> here's a pic and some info on one.
> http://www.gcw.org.uk/rover/igniter.htm
>
> --
> Jim Yanik
> jyanik-at-kua.net

Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

as far as i know igniters cannot be fixed but they are not very expensive
and can be easily replaced if u are good with your hands in tight spaces you
will be fine i did mine on my 91 civic in under 45 minutes. after replacing
all wires and checking the coil and replacing the cap and rotor



"Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message
news:Xns9477CEB53310Djyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21.. .
> "Al Smith" <ecarecar@yahoo.com> wrote in
> news:100u7o0h5bgj43c@corp.supernews.com:
>
> > I gotta ask. What is an ignitor? What does it do?
> >
> > I am a mechanical engineer. I know all about the Otto
> > cycle, but an ignitor?
> >
>
>
> It's what Honda called the ignition control module,that switches the
> current thru the ignition coil in place of the old-style breaker points no
> longer in use.
>
> here's a pic and some info on one.
> http://www.gcw.org.uk/rover/igniter.htm
>
> --
> Jim Yanik
> jyanik-at-kua.net

Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

as far as i know igniters cannot be fixed but they are not very expensive
and can be easily replaced if u are good with your hands in tight spaces you
will be fine i did mine on my 91 civic in under 45 minutes. after replacing
all wires and checking the coil and replacing the cap and rotor



"Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message
news:Xns9477CEB53310Djyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21.. .
> "Al Smith" <ecarecar@yahoo.com> wrote in
> news:100u7o0h5bgj43c@corp.supernews.com:
>
> > I gotta ask. What is an ignitor? What does it do?
> >
> > I am a mechanical engineer. I know all about the Otto
> > cycle, but an ignitor?
> >
>
>
> It's what Honda called the ignition control module,that switches the
> current thru the ignition coil in place of the old-style breaker points no
> longer in use.
>
> here's a pic and some info on one.
> http://www.gcw.org.uk/rover/igniter.htm
>
> --
> Jim Yanik
> jyanik-at-kua.net

Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

as far as i know igniters cannot be fixed but they are not very expensive
and can be easily replaced if u are good with your hands in tight spaces you
will be fine i did mine on my 91 civic in under 45 minutes. after replacing
all wires and checking the coil and replacing the cap and rotor



"Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message
news:Xns9477CEB53310Djyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21.. .
> "Al Smith" <ecarecar@yahoo.com> wrote in
> news:100u7o0h5bgj43c@corp.supernews.com:
>
> > I gotta ask. What is an ignitor? What does it do?
> >
> > I am a mechanical engineer. I know all about the Otto
> > cycle, but an ignitor?
> >
>
>
> It's what Honda called the ignition control module,that switches the
> current thru the ignition coil in place of the old-style breaker points no
> longer in use.
>
> here's a pic and some info on one.
> http://www.gcw.org.uk/rover/igniter.htm
>
> --
> Jim Yanik
> jyanik-at-kua.net

Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

You can almost fix anything but at what cost? An igniter is actually quite
expensive in my opinion. They go for about $100 each for that little
critter. I've replaced three of those in the past 12 years. I believe the
cost to try to get a bad one fixed is going to be more than it costs to buy
a new one.

I now keep a spare one and a spare coil in my trunk just in case.

"HyDr0" <hydr0@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:R5mdnUQm-uclBbzdRVn-uA@comcast.com...
> as far as i know igniters cannot be fixed but they are not very expensive
> and can be easily replaced if u are good with your hands in tight spaces
you
> will be fine i did mine on my 91 civic in under 45 minutes. after
replacing
> all wires and checking the coil and replacing the cap and rotor
>
>
>
> "Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message
> news:Xns9477CEB53310Djyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21.. .
> > "Al Smith" <ecarecar@yahoo.com> wrote in
> > news:100u7o0h5bgj43c@corp.supernews.com:
> >
> > > I gotta ask. What is an ignitor? What does it do?
> > >
> > > I am a mechanical engineer. I know all about the Otto
> > > cycle, but an ignitor?
> > >
> >
> >
> > It's what Honda called the ignition control module,that switches the
> > current thru the ignition coil in place of the old-style breaker points
no
> > longer in use.
> >
> > here's a pic and some info on one.
> > http://www.gcw.org.uk/rover/igniter.htm
> >
> > --
> > Jim Yanik
> > jyanik-at-kua.net
>
>

Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

You can almost fix anything but at what cost? An igniter is actually quite
expensive in my opinion. They go for about $100 each for that little
critter. I've replaced three of those in the past 12 years. I believe the
cost to try to get a bad one fixed is going to be more than it costs to buy
a new one.

I now keep a spare one and a spare coil in my trunk just in case.

"HyDr0" <hydr0@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:R5mdnUQm-uclBbzdRVn-uA@comcast.com...
> as far as i know igniters cannot be fixed but they are not very expensive
> and can be easily replaced if u are good with your hands in tight spaces
you
> will be fine i did mine on my 91 civic in under 45 minutes. after
replacing
> all wires and checking the coil and replacing the cap and rotor
>
>
>
> "Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message
> news:Xns9477CEB53310Djyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21.. .
> > "Al Smith" <ecarecar@yahoo.com> wrote in
> > news:100u7o0h5bgj43c@corp.supernews.com:
> >
> > > I gotta ask. What is an ignitor? What does it do?
> > >
> > > I am a mechanical engineer. I know all about the Otto
> > > cycle, but an ignitor?
> > >
> >
> >
> > It's what Honda called the ignition control module,that switches the
> > current thru the ignition coil in place of the old-style breaker points
no
> > longer in use.
> >
> > here's a pic and some info on one.
> > http://www.gcw.org.uk/rover/igniter.htm
> >
> > --
> > Jim Yanik
> > jyanik-at-kua.net
>
>

Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

You can almost fix anything but at what cost? An igniter is actually quite
expensive in my opinion. They go for about $100 each for that little
critter. I've replaced three of those in the past 12 years. I believe the
cost to try to get a bad one fixed is going to be more than it costs to buy
a new one.

I now keep a spare one and a spare coil in my trunk just in case.

"HyDr0" <hydr0@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:R5mdnUQm-uclBbzdRVn-uA@comcast.com...
> as far as i know igniters cannot be fixed but they are not very expensive
> and can be easily replaced if u are good with your hands in tight spaces
you
> will be fine i did mine on my 91 civic in under 45 minutes. after
replacing
> all wires and checking the coil and replacing the cap and rotor
>
>
>
> "Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message
> news:Xns9477CEB53310Djyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21.. .
> > "Al Smith" <ecarecar@yahoo.com> wrote in
> > news:100u7o0h5bgj43c@corp.supernews.com:
> >
> > > I gotta ask. What is an ignitor? What does it do?
> > >
> > > I am a mechanical engineer. I know all about the Otto
> > > cycle, but an ignitor?
> > >
> >
> >
> > It's what Honda called the ignition control module,that switches the
> > current thru the ignition coil in place of the old-style breaker points
no
> > longer in use.
> >
> > here's a pic and some info on one.
> > http://www.gcw.org.uk/rover/igniter.htm
> >
> > --
> > Jim Yanik
> > jyanik-at-kua.net
>
>

Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

You can almost fix anything but at what cost? An igniter is actually quite
expensive in my opinion. They go for about $100 each for that little
critter. I've replaced three of those in the past 12 years. I believe the
cost to try to get a bad one fixed is going to be more than it costs to buy
a new one.

I now keep a spare one and a spare coil in my trunk just in case.

"HyDr0" <hydr0@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:R5mdnUQm-uclBbzdRVn-uA@comcast.com...
> as far as i know igniters cannot be fixed but they are not very expensive
> and can be easily replaced if u are good with your hands in tight spaces
you
> will be fine i did mine on my 91 civic in under 45 minutes. after
replacing
> all wires and checking the coil and replacing the cap and rotor
>
>
>
> "Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message
> news:Xns9477CEB53310Djyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21.. .
> > "Al Smith" <ecarecar@yahoo.com> wrote in
> > news:100u7o0h5bgj43c@corp.supernews.com:
> >
> > > I gotta ask. What is an ignitor? What does it do?
> > >
> > > I am a mechanical engineer. I know all about the Otto
> > > cycle, but an ignitor?
> > >
> >
> >
> > It's what Honda called the ignition control module,that switches the
> > current thru the ignition coil in place of the old-style breaker points
no
> > longer in use.
> >
> > here's a pic and some info on one.
> > http://www.gcw.org.uk/rover/igniter.htm
> >
> > --
> > Jim Yanik
> > jyanik-at-kua.net
>
>

Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

"Pailyn" <fluffydaddym3@yahoooo.com> wrote in
news:jIjUb.220417$I06.2420470@attbi_s01:

> You can almost fix anything but at what cost? An igniter is actually
> quite expensive in my opinion. They go for about $100 each for that
> little critter. I've replaced three of those in the past 12 years. I
> believe the cost to try to get a bad one fixed is going to be more
> than it costs to buy a new one.
>
> I now keep a spare one and a spare coil in my trunk just in case.

IMO,if you could find out what component inside is failing,you could
substitute a more robust device(I'm betting a semiconductor is the
failure),save money,and not have to replace it any more.

Or all it may need is the addition of a diode to block the flyback
spike,and protect the switching transistor.(like in a TV)

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik-at-kua.net

Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

"Pailyn" <fluffydaddym3@yahoooo.com> wrote in
news:jIjUb.220417$I06.2420470@attbi_s01:

> You can almost fix anything but at what cost? An igniter is actually
> quite expensive in my opinion. They go for about $100 each for that
> little critter. I've replaced three of those in the past 12 years. I
> believe the cost to try to get a bad one fixed is going to be more
> than it costs to buy a new one.
>
> I now keep a spare one and a spare coil in my trunk just in case.

IMO,if you could find out what component inside is failing,you could
substitute a more robust device(I'm betting a semiconductor is the
failure),save money,and not have to replace it any more.

Or all it may need is the addition of a diode to block the flyback
spike,and protect the switching transistor.(like in a TV)

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik-at-kua.net

Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

"Pailyn" <fluffydaddym3@yahoooo.com> wrote in
news:jIjUb.220417$I06.2420470@attbi_s01:

> You can almost fix anything but at what cost? An igniter is actually
> quite expensive in my opinion. They go for about $100 each for that
> little critter. I've replaced three of those in the past 12 years. I
> believe the cost to try to get a bad one fixed is going to be more
> than it costs to buy a new one.
>
> I now keep a spare one and a spare coil in my trunk just in case.

IMO,if you could find out what component inside is failing,you could
substitute a more robust device(I'm betting a semiconductor is the
failure),save money,and not have to replace it any more.

Or all it may need is the addition of a diode to block the flyback
spike,and protect the switching transistor.(like in a TV)

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik-at-kua.net

Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

"Pailyn" <fluffydaddym3@yahoooo.com> wrote in
news:jIjUb.220417$I06.2420470@attbi_s01:

> You can almost fix anything but at what cost? An igniter is actually
> quite expensive in my opinion. They go for about $100 each for that
> little critter. I've replaced three of those in the past 12 years. I
> believe the cost to try to get a bad one fixed is going to be more
> than it costs to buy a new one.
>
> I now keep a spare one and a spare coil in my trunk just in case.

IMO,if you could find out what component inside is failing,you could
substitute a more robust device(I'm betting a semiconductor is the
failure),save money,and not have to replace it any more.

Or all it may need is the addition of a diode to block the flyback
spike,and protect the switching transistor.(like in a TV)

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik-at-kua.net

Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

when i replaced mine i took the old one and beat the hell out of it with a
hammer because of all the trouble. looks like it wont be fixed now huh



"Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message
news:Xns94863237F17Cjyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21...
> "Pailyn" <fluffydaddym3@yahoooo.com> wrote in
> news:jIjUb.220417$I06.2420470@attbi_s01:
>
> > You can almost fix anything but at what cost? An igniter is actually
> > quite expensive in my opinion. They go for about $100 each for that
> > little critter. I've replaced three of those in the past 12 years. I
> > believe the cost to try to get a bad one fixed is going to be more
> > than it costs to buy a new one.
> >
> > I now keep a spare one and a spare coil in my trunk just in case.
>
> IMO,if you could find out what component inside is failing,you could
> substitute a more robust device(I'm betting a semiconductor is the
> failure),save money,and not have to replace it any more.
>
> Or all it may need is the addition of a diode to block the flyback
> spike,and protect the switching transistor.(like in a TV)
>
> --
> Jim Yanik
> jyanik-at-kua.net

Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

when i replaced mine i took the old one and beat the hell out of it with a
hammer because of all the trouble. looks like it wont be fixed now huh



"Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message
news:Xns94863237F17Cjyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21...
> "Pailyn" <fluffydaddym3@yahoooo.com> wrote in
> news:jIjUb.220417$I06.2420470@attbi_s01:
>
> > You can almost fix anything but at what cost? An igniter is actually
> > quite expensive in my opinion. They go for about $100 each for that
> > little critter. I've replaced three of those in the past 12 years. I
> > believe the cost to try to get a bad one fixed is going to be more
> > than it costs to buy a new one.
> >
> > I now keep a spare one and a spare coil in my trunk just in case.
>
> IMO,if you could find out what component inside is failing,you could
> substitute a more robust device(I'm betting a semiconductor is the
> failure),save money,and not have to replace it any more.
>
> Or all it may need is the addition of a diode to block the flyback
> spike,and protect the switching transistor.(like in a TV)
>
> --
> Jim Yanik
> jyanik-at-kua.net

Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

when i replaced mine i took the old one and beat the hell out of it with a
hammer because of all the trouble. looks like it wont be fixed now huh



"Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message
news:Xns94863237F17Cjyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21...
> "Pailyn" <fluffydaddym3@yahoooo.com> wrote in
> news:jIjUb.220417$I06.2420470@attbi_s01:
>
> > You can almost fix anything but at what cost? An igniter is actually
> > quite expensive in my opinion. They go for about $100 each for that
> > little critter. I've replaced three of those in the past 12 years. I
> > believe the cost to try to get a bad one fixed is going to be more
> > than it costs to buy a new one.
> >
> > I now keep a spare one and a spare coil in my trunk just in case.
>
> IMO,if you could find out what component inside is failing,you could
> substitute a more robust device(I'm betting a semiconductor is the
> failure),save money,and not have to replace it any more.
>
> Or all it may need is the addition of a diode to block the flyback
> spike,and protect the switching transistor.(like in a TV)
>
> --
> Jim Yanik
> jyanik-at-kua.net

Re: Can Igniters be fixed?
 

when i replaced mine i took the old one and beat the hell out of it with a
hammer because of all the trouble. looks like it wont be fixed now huh



"Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message
news:Xns94863237F17Cjyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21...
> "Pailyn" <fluffydaddym3@yahoooo.com> wrote in
> news:jIjUb.220417$I06.2420470@attbi_s01:
>
> > You can almost fix anything but at what cost? An igniter is actually
> > quite expensive in my opinion. They go for about $100 each for that
> > little critter. I've replaced three of those in the past 12 years. I
> > believe the cost to try to get a bad one fixed is going to be more
> > than it costs to buy a new one.
> >
> > I now keep a spare one and a spare coil in my trunk just in case.
>
> IMO,if you could find out what component inside is failing,you could
> substitute a more robust device(I'm betting a semiconductor is the
> failure),save money,and not have to replace it any more.
>
> Or all it may need is the addition of a diode to block the flyback
> spike,and protect the switching transistor.(like in a TV)
>
> --
> Jim Yanik
> jyanik-at-kua.net