Thick Film Ignition (PIP/SPOUT)

Slide 57 of 123

Notes:

The Profile Ignition Pickup ( PIP) sensor, is a Hall effect switching device located inside the distributor or behind the crankshaft harmonic balancer.

The PIP is a three-wire sensor that create a pulsed voltage signal that appears on a scope as a square wave that switches between 0-12 volts.

The PIP signal is first sent to the module, then it is passed along to the computer. The computer creates the SPark OUTput (SPOUT) signal from the PIP signal. Both signals are digital square waves, as shown in the illustration.

trailing edge turns on the primary ignition circuit

The SPOUT signal leading edge turns off the primary circuit to fire the coil.The SPOUT signal contains added timing adjustments from the computer, visible as notches in the waveform.

Quick Note: If the PIP sensor is black in color, it needs to be changed! The black sensors are used with open bowl distributors. When they fail, they turn into silly putty in the area of the ignition module connector. These sensors should be tested hot while tapping on them lightly.