Abstract: An electronic ignition system having an automatic shutdown feature is disclosed. In a first embodiment of the invention, should an output terminal of an integrated circuit (10, 10a) remain in a high voltage condition for a prolonged period of time, a capacitor (C100) which is charged from a constant voltage and alternately discharged through a terminal (105) of the integrated circuit, is allowed to charge, and gradually reaches the threshold voltage of a transistor (Q200) which is connected to shunting transistor (Q1), which diverts current from transistor (Q2) in series with an ignition coil primary winding (76, 76a) and gradually deenergizes the ignition system. In a second embodiment, a capacitor (C200) is charged from a constant voltage, and alternately discharged by being shorted by an inverting transistor (Q300) connected to a terminal (205) of an integrated circuit (200, 200a), which provides a signal which is the compliment of an output terminal.