Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Ignition System: Description and Operation



COMPONENTS





The ignition system consists of the:
- Crankshaft Position (CKP) sensor.
- Camshaft Position (CMP) sensor.
- Spark plugs.

The ignition system is:
- A Coil On Plug (COP) ignition system controlled by an Electronic Engine Control (EEC) integrated into the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).





The CKP sensor:
- Is a variable reluctance sensor.
- Senses a missing tooth on crankshaft gear.
- Generates a CKP signal which is sent to the PCM. The PCM counts this signal for engine RPM.





The Coil on Plug:
- Changes low voltage signal from the PCM to high voltage pulses.
- Produces the high voltage pulses to the spark plugs.
- Connects directly to the spark plug.





The CMP sensor:
- Senses a high spot on the left camshaft sprocket.
- Provides camshaft timing input to the PCM.





The spark plug:
- Changes high voltage pulses to sparks at gap which ignites fuel and air mixture.
- Originally equipped on the vehicle has a platinum enhanced active electrode for long life.