Abstract: A contactless ignition system for internal combustion engines permitting the elimination of mechanical ignition points by replacing such ignition points by a radiation source and a radiation sensitive element mounted on the distributor breaker plate. The radiation source, such as a light emitting diode, emits a radiation beam, such as a light beam, impinging upon the cam portion of the distributor shaft and which is reflected onto the radiation sensitive element, such as a photoelectric cell, or photoresistor or photoconductor, for example, or preferably a phototransistor providing at its output an appropriate timing pulse for a given angular position of the distributor shaft.