Ignition System: Description and Operation

ENGINE IGNITION




The electronic ignition system is a coil-on-plug ignition system. The coil-on-plug ignition system consists of the following components:
- camshaft position (CMP) sensor
- crankshaft position (CKP) sensor
- ignition coils
- spark plugs

Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP)
The CMP sensor:
- is a variable reluctance sensor.
- is mounted in the front cover.
- is triggered by the high point mark on the LH exhaust camshaft.
- provides camshaft rotational location information to the powertrain control module (PCM).

See CAMSHAFT POSITION (CMP) SENSOR - 2.3L or CAMSHAFT POSITION (CMP) SENSOR - 3.0L (4V) for removal and installation procedures.

Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP)
The CKP sensor:
- is a variable reluctance sensor.
- is triggered by a 36-minus-1 tooth trigger wheel mounted on the crankshaft.
- provides base timing and crankshaft speed (rpm) to the powertrain control module (PCM).

See CRANKSHAFT POSITION (CKP) SENSOR - 2.3L or CRANKSHAFT POSITION (CKP) SENSOR - 3.0L (4V) for removal and installation procedures.

Ignition Coils
The separate ignition coils:
- change low voltage signals from the PCM to high voltage pulses.
- produce the high voltage pulses to the spark plugs.
- are connected directly to each spark plug.

Spark plugs
The spark plugs:
- change high voltage pulses into a spark which ignites the fuel and air mixture.
- originally equipped on the vehicle have a platinum-enhanced active electrode for long life.