How Does a Car Engine Start by the Ignition?

The Ignition System

The ignition system is responsible for creating the spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture in the engine’s cylinders. It consists of the following components:

• Battery
• Ignition switch
• Ignition coil
• Spark plugs

When you turn the ignition key, the battery sends electricity to the ignition switch. The ignition switch then sends the electricity to the ignition coil. The ignition coil transforms the low-voltage electricity from the battery into high-voltage electricity. The high-voltage electricity is then sent to the spark plugs.

The spark plugs are located in the engine’s cylinders. They create a spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture. The air-fuel mixture burns, creating pressure that drives the pistons up and down. The up-and-down motion of the pistons turns the crankshaft, which in turn drives the wheels.

The Starter Motor

The starter motor is responsible for turning the engine over. It consists of the following components:

• Electric motor
• Solenoid

When you turn the ignition key, the battery sends electricity to the starter motor’s solenoid. The solenoid engages the starter motor’s electric motor with the engine’s flywheel. The electric motor then turns the flywheel, which in turn turns the engine over.

The Fuel System

The fuel system is responsible for delivering fuel to the engine’s cylinders. It consists of the following components:

• Fuel tank
• Fuel pump
• Fuel filter
• Fuel injectors

The fuel tank stores the fuel. The fuel pump draws fuel from the fuel tank and sends it to the fuel filter. The fuel filter removes impurities from the fuel. The fuel injectors then spray the fuel into the engine’s cylinders.

The Air Intake System

The air intake system is responsible for delivering air to the engine’s cylinders. It consists of the following components:

• Air filter
• Throttle body

The air filter removes impurities from the air. The throttle body controls the amount of air that enters the engine’s cylinders.

The Exhaust System

The exhaust system is responsible for removing exhaust gases from the engine. It consists of the following components:

• Exhaust manifold
• Catalytic converter
• Muffler
• Tailpipe

The exhaust manifold collects exhaust gases from the engine’s cylinders. The catalytic converter converts harmful pollutants in the exhaust gases into less harmful substances. The muffler reduces the noise of the exhaust gases. The tailpipe expels the exhaust gases into the atmosphere.

How the Engine Starts

When you turn the ignition key, the following steps occur:

1. The battery sends electricity to the ignition switch.
2. The ignition switch sends electricity to the ignition coil.
3. The ignition coil transforms the low-voltage electricity from the battery into high-voltage electricity.
4. The high-voltage electricity is sent to the spark plugs.
5. The spark plugs create a spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture.
6. The air-fuel mixture burns, creating pressure that drives the pistons up and down.
7. The up-and-down motion of the pistons turns the crankshaft.
8. The crankshaft drives the wheels.

Conclusion

The ignition system, starter motor, fuel system, air intake system, and exhaust system work together to start a car engine. When you turn the ignition key, the ignition system creates a spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture. The air-fuel mixture burns, creating pressure that drives the pistons up and down. The up-and-down motion of the pistons turns the crankshaft, which in turn drives the wheels.