Ignition Coil: Description and Operation

COIL RAIL

Fig.10 Ignition Coil Assembly:

A one-piece coil rail assembly containing three individual coils is used on this engine. The coil rail must be replaced as one assembly. The bottom of the coil is equipped with 6 individual rubber boots to seal the 6 spark plugs to the coil. Inside each rubber boot is a spring. The spring is used for a mechanical contact between the coil and the top of the spark plug. These rubber boots and springs are a permanent part of the coil and are not serviced separately.

Fig.11 Coil Location:

1. The coil is bolted directly to the cylinder head. One electrical connector (located at rear of coil) is used for all three coils.

Although cylinder firing order is the same as this engine of previous years, spark plug firing is not. The 3 coils dual-fire the spark plugs on cylinders 1-6, 2-5 and/or 3-4. When one cylinder is being fired (on compression stroke), the spark to the opposite cylinder is being wasted (on exhaust stroke).

Battery voltage is supplied to the three ignition coils from the ASD relay. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) opens and closes the ignition coil ground circuit for ignition coil operation.

Base ignition timing is not adjustable. By controlling the coil ground circuit, the PCM is able to set the base timing and adjust the ignition timing advance. This is done to meet changing engine operating conditions.

The ignition coil is not oil filled. The windings are embedded in an epoxy compound. This provides heat and vibration resistance that allows the ignition coil to be mounted on the engine.

Because of coil design, spark plug cables (secondary cables) are not used. The cables are integral within the coil rail.