General System Description
The Computer Controlled Coil
Ignition system (C3I) is an ignition system that does not use the conventional
distributor and coil. The ignition system consists of three
ignition coils (in a one piece unit called a coil pack), a C3I ignition module, camshaft sensor, and
crankshaft sensor as well as the related connecting wires, and the EST portion of the ECM. A distributorless ignition system, such as this one, uses a waste spark method of spark distribution. Each cylinder is paired with the cylinder that is opposite it (1-4, 2-5, 3-6). The spark occurs simultaneously in the cylinder on the compression stroke and in the cylinder on the exhaust stroke. The cylinder on the exhaust stroke requires very little of the available energy to fire the
spark plug. The remaining energy will be used as required by the cylinder on the compression stroke. The same process is repeated when the cylinders reverse roles.