These days this is all handled by computers. The computer that directly regulates your ignition system is called the ignition module, or ignition control module. There is no maintenance or repair procedure for the module, other than replacement.
Your Ignition System, How Does it Work?
By Matthew Wright, About.com
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The Ignition Module
The ignition module regulates those sparks.
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In the old days, a distributor relied on a lot of its own "mechanical intuition" to keep the spark timed perfectly. It did this through a setup called a points-and-condenser system. Ignition points were set to a specific gap that created optimum spark while the condenser regulated.
Index: Your Ignition System, How Does it Work?
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Ignition Maintenance and Troubleshooting Procedures
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