A control system for a low cost, light duty combustion engine, where the control system generally utilizes engine speed and/or temperature input signals and independent operating sequences to determine a desired ignition timing and air-to-fuel ratio for a combustible mixture. There are several independent operating sequences, each one of which is designed to optimally control the engine under certain conditions. These operating sequences include a Cranking sequence that commences after the engine is initially turned on, a Warm Up sequence which follows the Cranking sequence, a Normal Mode sequence for typical operating conditions, an Acceleration sequence for certain increases in engine speed, a Come Down sequence for when a sufficient engine speed is followed by a certain decrease in speed, and a Recovery Bump sequence for when the engine speed dips below a predetermined level.