System Operation
The electronic ignition (EI) system consists of the following:
• | The ignition control (IC) module |
• | The crankshaft position (CKP) sensor |
• | The camshaft position (CMP) sensor |
• | The powertrain control (PCM) module |
In this system the secondary windings of each coil feed two spark plugs,
and neither end of the windings are grounded. The engine cylinders are paired
in opposites, i. e. cylinders 1 and 4, and 2 and 3. Each pair is on top
dead center (TDC) at the same time. When a coil discharges both plugs fire
at the same time to complete a series circuit. The cylinder on the compression
stroke is said to be the event cylinder, the cylinder on the exhaust stroke
the waste cylinder. The waste cylinder requires very little of the available
energy to fire the spark plug, the event cylinder will use most of the
energy. This same process will be repeated when the respective pair of
cylinders are on the opposite stroke. This method of ignition is known
as waste spark ignition.
It is possible in a waste spark ignition system for a spark plug to
fire even if the spark plugs companion plug is disconnected. The disconnected
plug wire acts as one plate of a capacitor, with the engine being the other
plate. These two capacitor plates are charged as the spark jumps across
the gap of the connected spark plug. The plates are then discharged as
the secondary energy is dissipated in an oscillating current across the
gap of the spark plug that is still connected. Secondary voltage requirements
are very high with part of the circuit open, but the ignition coil has
enough reserve energy to fire the connected plug at idle. Under high load
it is possible neither plug will fire resulting in a severe misfire. In
order to properly control the ignition timing, the PCM relies on the following
information:
• | The engine load (manifold pressure or vacuum) |
• | The engine coolant temperature |
• | The intake air temperature |
• | The crankshaft position |
System Components
The Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor
This system uses a magnetic crankshaft position (CKP) sensor, mounted
remotely from the ignition control module (ICM), which protrudes into the
block within approximately 0.050 inches from the crankshaft reluctor.
The graphic illustrates a typical sensor in relationship to the crankshaft
reluctor. The reluctor is a special wheel which is cast into the crankshaft
with 7 slots machined into the wheel, 6 of which are equally spaced (60 degrees
apart). A seventh slot is spaced 10 degrees from one of the other
slots and serves to generate sync-pules. As the reluctor rotates as part
of the crankshaft, the slots change the magnetic field of the sensor, creating
an induced voltage pulse. This signal is known as the 7x or low resolution
signal because it occurs 7 times per crankshaft resolution. The powertrain
control module (PCM) uses this signal to determine the speed and position
of the crankshaft. The 7x reference signal is also used for fuel injector
activation and ignition coil sequencing.
Ignition Coils
Two separate coils are mounted to the ignition coil assembly. Each coil
provides the spark for two plugs simultaneously (waste spark distribution).
Each coil can also be replaced separately.
Ignition Control Module (ICM)
The ICM receives the ignition control (IC) signals from the PCM which
in turn triggers the corresponding ignition coils. Since the PCM controls
spark timing and ignition control during crank and run, there is no bypass
mode. The ICM is not repairable. When an ICM is replaced, transfer the
remaining components to the new module.