Ignition System: Description and Operation

Electronic Ignition System Description

Electronic Ignition (EI) System Operation

The electronic ignition (EI) system produces and controls the high energy secondary spark. This spark ignites the compressed air/fuel mixture at precisely the correct time, providing optimal performance, fuel economy, and control of exhaust emissions. The engine control module (ECM) primarily collects information from the crankshaft position (CKP) and camshaft position (CMP) sensors to control the sequence, dwell, and timing of the spark.

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor

The crankshaft position (CKP) sensor circuits consist of an engine control module (ECM) supplied 5-volt reference circuit, a low reference circuit, and an output signal circuit. The CKP sensor is an internally magnetic biased digital output integrated circuit sensing device. The sensor detects magnetic flux changes of the teeth and slots of a 58-tooth reluctor wheel on the crankshaft. Each tooth on the reluctor wheel is spaced at 60-tooth spacing, with 2 missing teeth for the reference gap. The CKP sensor produces an ON/OFF DC voltage of varying frequency, with 58 output pulses per crankshaft revolution. The frequency of the CKP sensor output depends on the velocity of the crankshaft. The CKP sensor sends a digital signal, which represents an image of the crankshaft reluctor wheel, to the ECM as each tooth on the wheel rotates past the CKP sensor. The ECM uses each CKP signal pulse to determine crankshaft speed and decodes the crankshaft reluctor wheel reference gap to identify crankshaft position. This information is then used to determine the optimum ignition and injection points of the engine. The ECM also uses CKP sensor output information to determine the camshaft relative position to the crankshaft, to control camshaft phasing, and to detect cylinder misfire.

Crankshaft Reluctor Wheel

The crankshaft reluctor wheel is part of the crankshaft. The reluctor wheel consists of 58 teeth and a reference gap. Each tooth on the reluctor wheel is spaced 6 degrees apart with a 12-degree space for the reference gap. The pulse from the reference gap is known as the sync pulse. The sync pulse is used to synchronize the coil firing sequence with the crankshaft position, while the other teeth provide cylinder location during a revolution.

Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor

The camshaft position (CMP) sensor is triggered by a notched reluctor wheel built onto the exhaust camshaft sprocket. The CMP sensor provides four signal pulses every camshaft revolution. Each notch, or feature of the reluctor wheel is of a different size which is used to identify the compression stroke of each cylinder and to enable sequential fuel injection. The CMP sensor is connected to the engine control module (ECM) by the following circuits:

* A 5-volt reference circuit
* A low reference circuit
* A signal circuit

Ignition Coil/Module

Each ignition coil/module has the following circuits:

* An ignition voltage circuit
* A ground
* An ignition control (IC) circuit
* A low reference circuit

The engine control module (ECM) controls the individual coils by transmitting timing pulses on the IC circuit of each ignition coil/module to enable a spark event.

The spark plugs are connected to each coil by a short boot. The boot contains a spring that conducts the spark energy from the coil to the spark plug. The spark plug electrode is tipped with platinum for long wear and higher efficiency.

Engine Control Module (ECM)

The engine control module (ECM) controls all ignition system functions, and constantly corrects the spark timing. The ECM monitors information from various sensor inputs that include the following:

* The throttle position (TP) sensor
* The engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor
* The mass air flow (MAF) sensor
* The intake air temperature (IAT) sensor
* The vehicle speed sensor (VSS)
* The engine knock sensor (KS)
* The manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor

Modes of Operation

During normal operation the engine control module (ECM) controls all ignition functions. If either the crankshaft position (CKP) or camshaft position (CMP) sensor signal is lost, the engine will continue to run because the ECM will default to a limp home mode using the remaining sensor input. Each coil is internally protected against damage from excessive voltage. If one or more coils were to fail in this manner, a misfiring condition would result. Diagnostic trouble codes are available to accurately diagnose the ignition system with a scan tool.