Pick-Up Coil: Description and Operation

Ignition System Components:

Magnetic Pick-Up Assembly:

HEI Wiring Diagram:

The magnetic pickup assembly, located inside the distributor, contains a permanent magnet, a pole piece with internal teeth, and a pickup coil. A toothed timer core, attached to the distributor main shaft, rotates inside the pole piece. As the teeth of the timer core line up with the teeth of the pole piece, a varying current is induced in the pickup coil. The varying current is seen as an 'ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON-OFF' signal which is sent to the ICM and PCM so that they can recognize crankshaft position.