Abstract: A contactless ignition system includes a free running oscillator which generates an output timing pulse to a pulse generator and an ignition coil whenever the oscillations of a saturable core transformer and a series resonant circuit which is driven by the feedback voltage induced in the transformer secondary winding cease. In the free running state, the feedback voltage sustains the oscillator operation at a frequency fixed by the resonant circuit. A disk, having a plurality of permanent magnets evenly spaced around its periphery, is affixed to the distributor shaft and disposed within the vicinity of the saturable core of the transformer. As the disk rotates, the magnetic field of each magnet, as it passes the vicinity of the core, momentarily saturates the transformer core. Saturation of the core reduces the feedback voltage below the oscillation sustaining level and, consequently, causes the oscillator to generate an output pulse which is synchronous with the engine speed.