Circuit Operation
With the starter switch in
ON or
START; battery voltage is applied to the Engine (M/T) or Powertrain (A/T) Control Module (ECM) or (
PCM), the ION sensing module, various engine sensors, and the
ignition coils. When the engine is cranked to start, the crank shaft position (
CKP) sensor sends timing information directly to the ECM/PCM, which sends a signal to the ION sensing module, which breaks the ground path in the primary of the ignition coils, thus creating a high voltage secondary impulse which fires the
spark plugs, and the engine starts. The ECM/PCM receives information such as
firing order and starting timing at each ignition coil from the
CKP sensor. The ECM/PCM relies on information from various engine sensors to determine correct
ignition timing.