Ignition System: Description and Operation

PURPOSE
To supply a secondary voltage spark to the combustion chambers in order to ignite the respective cylinders' air/fuel charge.

0PERATION
The distributor uses the integral Camshaft Position Sensor (Hall Effect switch type) to send a signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The PCM uses the Camshaft Position Sensor input to produce a Spark Output (SPOUT) signal that is sent to the Ignition Control Module. The Ignition Control Module switches current On and Off in the primary circuit of the ignition coil.
This interruption of the primary current causes the magnetic field to colapse within the ignition coil. The collapsing field produces a secondary voltage as high as 40,000 volts. The high voltage pulses are sent to the distributor which delivers voltage to fire the spark plugs by means of an ignition rotor, distributor cap and high tension leads.