Ignition System

The ignition system is designed to ignite the compressed air to fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine by a high voltage spark delivered from an ignition coil controlled by the PCM.

Integrated Electronic Ignition System

NOTE: Electronic ignition engine timing is controlled entirely by the PCM. Electronic ignition engine timing is not adjustable. Do not attempt to check base timing. You will receive false readings.

The integrated electronic ignition system consists of a CKP sensor, coil on plug (COP), connecting wiring, and a PCM. The COP integrated electronic ignition system uses a separate coil per spark plug, and each coil is mounted directly onto the plug. The COP integrated electronic ignition system eliminates the need for spark plug wires, but does require input from the CMP sensor. Operation of the components are as follows:

The CKP sensor indicates the crankshaft position and speed by sensing a missing tooth on a pulse wheel mounted to the crankshaft. The COP integrated electronic ignition system uses the CMP sensor to identify the compression stroke of cylinder 1, and to synchronize the firing of the individual coils.
The PCM uses the CKP sensor signal to calculate a spark target and then fires the COP. The PCM uses the CMP sensor signal to identify the compression stroke of cylinder 1, and to synchronize the firing of the individual coils.
The PCM controls the ignition coils after it calculates the spark target. The COP system fires only one spark plug per coil upon synchronization during the compression stroke. The current flow, or dwell, through the primary ignition coil is controlled by the PCM by providing a switched ground path through the ignition coil driver to ground. When the ignition coil driver is switched ON, current rapidly builds up to a maximum value, determined by the coil inductance and resistance. When the current is switched OFF, the magnetic field collapses which induces a secondary high voltage surge and the spark plug is fired. This high voltage surge creates a flyback voltage which the PCM uses as a feedback during the ignition diagnostics. The PCM uses the charge current dwell time characteristics to carry out the ignition diagnostics.
The PCM processes the CKP sensor signal and uses it to drive the tachometer as the clean tach output (CTO) signal.

Engine Crank/Engine Running

During engine crank the PCM fires 2 spark plugs simultaneously. Of the 2 spark plugs fired, one is under compression while the other is on the exhaust stroke. Both spark plugs fire until camshaft position is identified by a successful CMP sensor signal. Once camshaft position is identified only the cylinder under compression is fired.

Camshaft Position Failure Mode Effects Management (FMEM)

During camshaft position FMEM the COP ignition works the same as during engine crank. This allows the engine to operate without the PCM knowing if cylinder 1 is under compression or exhaust.