We may be getting ahead of ourselves if the engine/distributor is 'out of time.' When the cylinder is is at the top of the compression stroke; the points open, releasing a small spark stored in the condenser. This is the little spark(lower current) that goes to the coil, signaling it to release the big spark(much higher current) to the center of the distributor, which then sends it to the correct cylinder.(we hope) In a running engine, all of this happens over 1000 times per minute.
Click here for an explanation of the process with graphics. If you would like an even more detailed explanation,
click here.
