What Does Secondary Ignition Mean?
2 Answers
Secondary ignition refers to accidentally attempting to start the vehicle again after it has already been started. Additional details are as follows: 1. Signs of secondary ignition: You may hear an abnormal "screeching" noise from the engine area. This sound is caused by the starter gear grinding against the flywheel. When the engine is running, the flywheel rotates much faster than the starter motor. Due to this significant speed difference, the starter gear cannot re-engage with the flywheel teeth during secondary ignition, thus preventing damage to the starter motor. 2. Hazards of secondary ignition: Occasional accidental operations like this won't cause major harm to the starter motor. However, frequent occurrences can lead to starter motor damage, including starter slippage, severe wear of the starter drive gear, or even starter coil burnout. These issues are directly related to secondary ignition. Additionally, secondary ignition can also cause wear to the flywheel teeth. 3. How to determine: When starting the vehicle, simply observe the engine RPM needle on the dashboard. If the needle is not at the 0 position, it indicates the vehicle is already running. If the needle is at 0, it means the vehicle is turned off. You can also check various indicator lights on the dashboard to determine whether the vehicle is running.
Once when I was driving my old car, the engine suddenly started shaking violently with loud popping noises, so I rushed to the repair shop for a check. The mechanic said it was called 'secondary ignition,' meaning there was an issue with the ignition system—the spark plugs were firing at the wrong time, like a light bulb flickering twice abnormally. This usually happens due to old, carbon-fouled spark plugs or a failing ignition coil, causing inaccurate control. The impact is significant: the car feels sluggish, fuel consumption increases, and in severe cases, it can damage the engine. It's recommended to check the spark plugs during regular maintenance, typically replacing them every 30,000 kilometers. In my case, it was a spark plug issue, and after replacing them, the engine immediately ran smoothly. It's good practice to develop proper driving habits, like not stomping on the accelerator right after startup, and checking the electrical system wiring to prevent minor issues from turning into costly repairs.
