Ignition System: Description and Operation

The ignition system consists of the:
- ignition coil.
- secondary ignition wire and brackets.
- spark plugs.

The ignition system is:
- an Electronic Ignition (EI) system controlled by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).
- set at 10 degrees Before Top Dead Center (BTDC) for base timing and is not adjustable.

The ignition coil is mounted on top of the intake manifold. The ignition coil contains three separate ignition coils. Each of these ignition coils are controlled by the powertrain control module through three coil leads. Each ignition coil activates two spark plugs simultaneously:
- One spark plug will fire on the compression stroke. This spark plug uses the majority of the ignition coil's stored energy.
- One spark plug will fire on the exhaust stroke. This spark plug uses very little of the ignition coil's stored energy.
- These two spark plugs are connected in series, so that the firing voltage of one spark plug will be negative with respect to the ground and the other spark plug will be positive with respect to the ground.

Spark plug wires carry high voltage pulses from the ignition coil to the spark plugs.

The spark plugs:
- have a platinum-enhanced active electrode for long life. The active electrode is different for the LH and RH sides.
- used for replacement have both electrodes platinum-enhanced so they can be used on either side.
- on the RH side (Cylinders 1, 2, and 3) are AGSF-34EG.
- on the LH side (Cylinders 4, 5, and 6) are AGSF-34E.