Ignition System: Description and Operation

Ignition System:

The ignition system delivers a precisely timed spark to ignite the air/fuel mixture in the engine's cylinders.

The ignition system consists of:

- Ignition Coil: Transforms the battery voltage on its primary circuit into approximately 28k volts on its secondary circuit each time it receives a signal from the ignition control module.

- Ignition Control Module (ICM): Receives a Spark Output (SPOUT) signal from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and grounds the ignition coil negative side to fire the spark plugs.

- Distributor: Houses the Camshaft Position (CMP) sensor and the distributor rotor. The secondary voltage is received from the ignition coil and distributed, via the distributor cap and distributor rotor, to each spark plug wire.

- Distributor to Spark Plug Wires: Carry the secondary voltage from the distributor to each spark plug.

- Spark Plugs: Receive the secondary voltage and ignite the air/fuel mixture in the cylinders.

- Crankshaft Position Sensor: Sends a signal to the PCM to indicate crankshaft speed.