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What is the difference between points and electronic ignition?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Jan 12, 2026

In an electronic system, you still have a distributor, but the points have been replaced with a pickup coil, and there's an electronic ignition control module. These are far less likely to breakdown than conventional systems, and provide very reliable operation.

Which is better points or electronic ignition?

Electronic systems can be unreliable, and unlike points, they will stop working without a warning. A set of points will at least give you a clue, showing such signs as running rough, or maybe they haven't been changed in many years.

What is the difference between contact point and electronic ignition system?

Contact points systems were eventually done away with because they wear out over time. Electronics ignition systems do not use contact points, they have transistors, instead that act as an electronic switch that turns the coil primary current on and off.

What is the difference between a points coil and an electronic ignition coil?

Points ignition coils generally have a secondary resistance of 3 or more ohms. Electronic ignition coils tend to be 1.5 ohms or less. That's the main difference.

Can you replace points with electronic ignition?

There are two ways you can go about converting from points to electronic ignition – you can install a factory electronic system that replaces the factory points and distributor, or you can install an aftermarket high-performance system with parts and components from various manufacturers.

39 related questions found

Does electronic ignition add horsepower?

One of the easiest ways to increase the horsepower output of your classic car is by converting from the old, maintenance-intensive, unreliable points/breaker-type ignition to electronic ignition. Points-type ignitions are subject to wear which degrades engine performance and this wear begins immediately.

Do you need a condenser with electronic ignition?

Electronic ignition does away with the need for a traditional condenser and points, so these need to be removed by unscrewing them from the distributor base-plate.

What is electronic ignition?

electronic ignition. noun. any system that uses an electronic circuit to supply the voltage to the sparking plugs of an internal-combustion engine.

What is an electronic ignition coil?

An ignition coil (also called a spark coil) is an induction coil in an automobile's ignition system that transforms the battery's voltage to the thousands of volts needed to create an electric spark in the spark plugs to ignite the fuel.

Do cars with electronic ignition have spark plugs?

In an electronic system, you still have a distributor, but the points have been replaced with a pickup coil, and there's an electronic ignition control module. Is that correct? The system is completely electronic because there are no spark plug wires.

What are the 3 types of ignition systems?

There are three basic types of automotive ignition systems: distributor-based, distributor-less, and coil-on-plug (COP). Early ignition systems used fully mechanical distributors to deliver the spark at the right time. Next came more reliable distributors equipped with solid-state switches and ignition control modules.

Do points use a coil?

Points. Ignition points are a set of electrical contacts that switch the coil on and off at the proper time. The points are opened and closed by the mechanical action of the distributor shaft lobes pushing on them.

What is the advantage of contact point ignition system and electronic ignition system?

It has fewer moving parts. Low maintenance required. Less emission generates. Efficiency is good.

Can I use a Pertronix coil with points?

YES, that is perfectly acceptable. You can use the Pertronix FlameThrower coil with your points ignition system. While it's the perfect coil to go with the PerTronix Ignitor breakerless ignition, our 40,000 volt Flame-Thrower canister coil can benefit virtually any distributor type inductive system.

Who makes the best electronic ignition?

The 123 is very popular and works well. The Pertronix distributor is probably the most widely used and very reliable. It can be installed as a full replacement for the Lucas distributor or as just the ignition module that replaces the points and condenser in a stock Lucas distributor.

Is Pertronix any good?

A friend of mine with Pertronix module and flame thrower coil fitted for about 7 years and has just died completely while on the road. You'll get good and bad reports for all ignition types but the Pertronix module seems to be as good as any. The failure is more likely to be the flame thrower coil.

Are all points condensers the same?

Any condenser of the same value will work. They are indifferent to voltage but the capacitance (microfarads) should be the same or at least close. They aren't that accurate from new. If the condenser is perfect your points won't burn.

What is electronic spark ignition?

An electronic spark advance-type ignition system is described for an internal combustion engine comprising: an ignition coil; a magnetic pickup for generating a pair of pulse signals with a time interval therebetween substantially corresponding to a maximum advance angle in terms of crankshaft rotation degrees for each ...

How do you check ignition points?

Use a socket and a breaker bar to rotate the engine so that the points are at their widest gap. The gauge, either a wire type or feeler type, should just slide between the points without pushing them apart. If this doesn't solve the problem, try tracing the entire circuit, starting with the battery.

What are the advantages of electronic ignition?

The clean-burning of air and fuel mixture makes the system less polluting. Does not overload the engine combustion: The electronic ignition system works electrically without power from the crankshaft and as a result, it does not overload the performance of the engine.

What are the two types of ignition systems?

Although there are many different types of ignition systems on the market today, most can be placed in one of the three groups:

  • Conventional breaker-point ignition (in use since the early 1900s)
  • Electronic ignition (popular since the early 1970s)
  • Distributorless ignition (introduced in the mid-1980s)

What are the four different types of ignition system?

Currently, we recognize four types of ignition systems used in most cars and trucks: conventional breaker-point ignitions, high energy (electronic) ignitions, distributor-less (waste spark) ignition and coil-on-plug ignitions.

Do you need vacuum advance with electronic ignition?

And no, your electronic ignition does not eliminate the crucial need for vacuum distributor advance.

Does electronic ignition have a coil?

In an electronic system, you still have a distributor, but the points have been replaced with a pickup coil, and there's an electronic ignition control module. These are far less likely to breakdown than conventional systems, and provide very reliable operation.