Ignition Control Module: Description and Operation

IGNITION CONTROL MODULE (ICM) AND IGNITION COILS




Each ignition coil supplies secondary voltage to a pair of spark plugs. This is called a waste spark ignition system. The powertrain control module (PCM) supplies a signal on each of the ignition control (IC) timing control circuits to the ignition control module (ICM). The ICM fires the correct ignition coil at the correct time based on the signals. The ICM detects if cylinder 1 or cylinder 3 is on the compression stroke by sensing the secondary voltage and polarity of each side of the ignition coil. The ICM detects this voltage with sensing circuitry integrated into each ignition coil. The higher voltage is on the compressing cylinder. This is called compression sense ignition. The ICM provides a synthesized cam signal to the PCM based on these inputs. The PCM uses the cam signals to synchronize fuel injection.

This system consists of the following circuits:
- Ignition voltage
- Ground
- Camshaft position (CMP) sensor signal
- IC timing control for cylinder 1 and cylinder 4
- IC timing control-B for cylinder 2 and cylinder 3
- Low Reference