Abstract: A capacitor discharge engine ignition system includes an ignition coil having a primary winding and a secondary winding for coupling to an engine ignition spark plug. A first electronic switch has primary current conducting electrodes in circuit with an ignition charge storage capacitor and the primary winding of the ignition coil, and a control electrode responsive to-trigger signals for operatively connecting the ignition charge storage capacitor to discharge through the primary winding of the, ignition coil. A charge/trigger coil arrangement generates periodic signals in synchronism with operation of the engine. The charge coil generates a charge signal to charge the ignition charge storage capacitor, while the trigger coil generates a trigger signal for triggering discharge of the capacitor through the ignition coil.