Abstract: A solenoid operated valve is installed in the fuel supply line of an internal combustion engine and is effective to interrupt the flow of fuel to the engine while the operating solenoid thereof is energized. A normally closed contact pair of an electrical relay which is energized when the engine is in the normal cranking mode is connected in series in the energizing circuit of the operating solenoid of the solenoid operated valve. A holding circuit for the operating coil of the relay is provided and includes at least a normally open contact pair of the relay and circuitry responsive to the operating mode of the engine effective to interrupt the holding circuit while the engine is in the not running mode.

Abstract: To reduce the potential magnitude necessary to break down the distributor arc gap between the distributor movable output electrode carried by the distributor rotor and each of the stationary output electrodes of the distributor cap, a distributor movable output electrode of an electrically conductive material having a cross-sectional area so selected that the output tip is heated to incandescence by arc current is employed and is located within a surrounding thermal shield member of an electrically nonconductive and heat insulating material.