Ignition Control Module: Description and Operation

Ignition Control Module:

PURPOSE
The ignition control module performs several functions:

^ It powers the dual crankshaft position sensor internal circuits.
^ It supplies the voltage signals that each respective Hall-effect switch pulses to ground to generate the 3X and 18X crankshaft position sensor pulses.
^ It determines the correct ignition coil firing sequence, based on how many 18X transitions occur during a 3X pulse. This coil sequencing occurs at start-up. After the engine is running, the module remembers the sequence, and continues triggering the ignition coils in proper sequence.
^ It determines whether or not the crankshaft is rotating in the proper direction, and cuts off fuel delivery and spark to prevent backfiring if reverse rotation is detected.
^ It sends a "crankshaft reference" (fuel control) signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The PCM determines engine RPM from this signal. it is also used by the PCM to determine crankshaft position for Ignition Control (IC) spark advance calculations. (The falling edge of each fuel control signal pulse occurs 70° before TDC of any cylinder)

18X And 3X Crank Sensor Pulses And Crankshaft Reference Signals Sent To The PCM:

OPERATION
The fuel control signal sent to the PCM by the ignition control module is an ON-OFF pulse occurring 3 times per crankshaft revolution. This is neither the 3X nor the 18X crank sensor pulse, but both of these are required before the ignition control module will generate the fuel control signal.

The ignition control module generates the fuel control signal by an internal "divide-by-6" circuit. This divider circuit divides the 18X crankshaft position sensor pulses by 6. The divider circuit is enabled, or ready to begin dividing, only after it receives a 3X crankshaft position sensor pulse. After beginning, the divider circuit does not need the 3X pulses to continue operating. if either the 18X or 3X pulses are missing at start-up, the divider will not generate a fuel control signal pulses (sent to the PCM), and no fuel injector pulses will occur.

^ Anytime the PCM does not apply 5 volts to the ignition control module "bypass" circuit, the ignition control module controls ignition by triggering each of the three coils in the proper sequence at a pre-determined dwell, with spark advance fixed at 10 degrees BTDC. This is called module mode ignition. The ignition control module provides proper ignition coil sequencing during both the module and IC modes.
^ PCM applies 5 volts to the ignition control module "bypass" circuit, signaling the module to allow the PCM to control the dwell and spark timing.

This is IC mode ignition. During IC mode, the PCM compensates for all driving conditions. Again, the ignition control module is responsible for proper ignition coil sequencing during both the module and IC modes.