The introduction of low-maintenance ignition systems has changed how we sell and service secondary ignition system parts for import vehicles.

Most import nameplates have, for example, replaced conventional distributor ignition systems with distributorless or coil-on-plug (COP) ignitions in order to reduce the number of wearing parts in the secondary or high-voltage portion of the ignition system. Unlike distributor ignitions, distributorless and COP secondary ignitions have no distributor rotor or cap to wear out. To further reduce maintenance, the COP design also eliminates the secondary ignition cable itself as a source of high-tension voltage leakage or resistance. Finally, better oil and fuel control in modern engines, combined with modern long-life spark plugs, has increased the reliability of secondary ignition systems to the point that secondary ignition maintenance has become a scheduled, rather than a "failure-based," maintenance item.

Follow the Maintenance Schedule
In most import applications, secondary ignition system maintenance is recommended at either 30,000- or 100,000-mile intervals. Too often, however, many owners feel that their import doesn't need a "tune-up" or secondary ignition system maintenance as long as it feels like it's "running good." In reality, spark plugs eventually develop high electrical resistance because the electrodes wear away. When this happens, the secondary ignition vol...