
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
SPARK PLUG SERVICE
When replacing the spark plugs and spark plug
cables, route the cables correctly and secure them in
the appropriate retainers. Failure to route the cables
properly can cause the radio to reproduce ignition
noise, cross ignition of the spark plugs orshort cir-
cuit the cables to ground.
Never Wire Brush Spark Plugs.The spark plug
insulator tip is harder than the bristles of wire
brushes. Bristles of wire brushes can leave a conduc-
tive, metallic film on the insulator which could lead
to conductive deposits. Conductive deposits can cause
spark plug failure and engine misfire. Use a jewelers
file to remove deposits from the electrode gap or use
a spark plug cleaning machine to clean spark plugs.
REMOVAL
Always remove cables by grasping at the boot,
rotating the boot 1/2 turn, and pulling straight back
in a steady motion.
(1) Prior to removing the spark plug, spray com-
pressed air around the spark plug hole and the area
around the spark plug.
(2) Remove the spark plug using a quality socket
with a foam insert.
(3) Inspect the spark plug condition. Refer to
Spark Plug Condition in this section.
INSTALLATION
(1) To avoid cross threading, start the spark plug
into the cylinder head by hand.
(2) Tighten spark plugs to 28 N´m (20 ft. lbs.)
torque.
(3) Install spark plug cables over spark plugs. A
click will be heard and felt when the cable properly
attaches to the spark plug.
IGNITION COILÐ3.OL
The ignition coil is located at the back of the
intake manifold (Fig. 2).
REMOVAL
(1) Remove air cleaner assembly.
(2) Disconnect ignition cable from coil.
(3) Disconnect wiring harness connector from coil.
(4) Remove coil mounting screws.
INSTALLATION
(1) Loosely install ignition coil on intake manifold.
Tighten the intake manifold fastener to 13 N´m (115
in. lbs.) torque. Tighten ignition coil bracket fasten-
ers to 10 N´m (96 in. lbs.) torque.
(2) Connect the wiring harness connector.
(3) Connect the coil to distributor ignition cable.
(4) Install the air cleaner assembly. Tighten the
air cleaner fasteners to 25 N´m (225 in. lbs.) torque.
MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE (MAP)
SENSORÐ3.0L
REMOVAL
(1) Remove vacuum hose and mounting screws
from manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor (Fig.
3).
(2) Disconnect electrical connector from sensor.
Remove sensor.
Fig. 1 Camshaft Position SensorÐ3.0L Engine
Fig. 2 Ignition CoilÐ3.0L Engine
8D - 24 IGNITION SYSTEMNS
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

INSTALLATION
(1) Reverse the above procedure for installation.
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSORÐ3.0L
The sensor is installed next to the thermostat
housing (Fig. 3).
WARNING: HOT, PRESSURIZED COOLANT CAN
CAUSE INJURY BY SCALDING. COOLING SYSTEM
MUST BE PARTIALLY DRAINED BEFORE REMOV-
ING THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR.
REFER TO GROUP 7- COOLING.
REMOVAL
(1) With the engine cold, drain coolant until level
drops below cylinder head. Refer to Group 7, Cooling
System.
(2) Disconnect coolant sensor electrical connector.
(3) Remove coolant sensor.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install coolant sensor. Tighten sensor to 7 N´m
(60 in. lbs.) torque.
(2) Attach electrical connector to sensor.
(3) Fill cooling system. Refer to Group 7, Cooling
System.
CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Disconnect crankshaft position sensor electrical
connector from the wiring harness connector (Fig. 4).
(3) Remove crankshaft position sensor retaining
bolt.
(4) Pull crankshaft position sensor straight up out
of the transaxle housing.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: If the removed sensor is to be reinstalled,
clean off the old spacer on the sensor face. A NEW
SPACER must be attached to the sensor face before
installation. If the sensor is being replaced, confirm
that the paper spacer is attached to the face of the
new sensor (Fig. 5).
(1) Install sensor in transaxle and push sensor
down until contact is made with the drive plate.
While holding the sensor in this position, and install
and tighten the retaining bolt to 11.9 N´m (105 in.
lbs.) torque.
(2) Raise and support vehicle.
(3) Connect crankshaft position sensor electrical
connector to the wiring harness connector.
THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR
Refer to Group 14, Fuel Injection Section, for
Removal/Installation.
Fig. 3 Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor
Fig. 4 Crankshaft Position Sensor Connector
Fig. 5 Crankshaft Position Sensor and Spacer
NSIGNITION SYSTEM 8D - 25
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

When replacing the distributor cap, transfer spark
plug wires from the original cap to the new cap one
at a time. Ensure that each wire is installed into the
tower of the new cap that corresponds to its tower
position in the original cap. Fully seat the wires into
the towers. If necessary, refer to the engine firing
order diagram.
Light scaling of the terminals can be cleaned with
a sharp knife. If the terminals are heavily scaled,
replace the distributor cap.
A cap that is greasy, dirty or has a powder-like
substance on the inside should be cleaned with asolution of warm water and a mild detergent. Scrub
the cap with a soft brush. Thoroughly rinse the cap
and dry it with a clean soft cloth.
DISTRIBUTOR ROTORÐ3.0L
Replace the rotor if it is cracked, the tip is exces-
sively burned or heavily scaled (Fig. 10).
SPECIFICATIONS
SPARK PLUG
TORQUE
DESCRIPTION......................TORQUE
Distributor Hold Down........14N´m(124 in. lbs.)
Ignition Coil Bracket..........10N´m(96in.lbs.)
Ignition Switch...............2N´m(17in.lbs.)
Spark Plugs.................28N´m(60in.lbs.)
SPARK PLUG CABLE RESISTANCEÐ3.0L
Fig. 9 Distributor Cap InspectionÐTypical
Fig. 10 Rotor InspectionÐTypical
Engine Spark Plug Gap Thread Size
3.0L RN11YC4 0.039 TO 0.044 14mm (3/4 in.) reach
CABLE Maximum
Resistance
#1 14.0K ohms
#2 10.4K ohms
#3 14.9K ohms
#4 11.5K ohms
#5 17.5K ohms
#6 10.3K ohms
Coil Lead 11.1K ohms
NSIGNITION SYSTEM 8D - 27
CLEANING AND INSPECTION (Continued)

3.3/3.8L ENGINE
INDEX
page page
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
FIRING ORDERÐ3.3/3.8L................. 28
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR............ 31
CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR.......... 30
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR . . 32
IGNITION COIL......................... 30
KNOCK SENSORÐ3.3/3.8L................ 32
MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE (MAP)
SENSOR............................. 32SPARK PLUG CABLE SERVICEÐ3.3/3.8L
ENGINES............................ 28
SPARK PLUG SERVICEÐ3.3/3.8L ENGINES . . . 29
THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR............ 32
SPECIFICATIONS
IGNITION COIL......................... 33
SPARK PLUG CABLE RESISTANCEÐ3.3/3.8L . . 34
SPARK PLUG........................... 33
TORQUE.............................. 34
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
FIRING ORDERÐ3.3/3.8L
The firing order for 3.3L and 3.8L engines is 1-2-3-
4-5-6.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
SPARK PLUG CABLE SERVICEÐ3.3/3.8L ENGINES
WARNING: The ignition cables should not be
removed while the engine is hot. This could cause
sever injury/burns and can cause damage to the
ignition cables.
The spark plug boot heat shield needs to be
installed correctly on the boot before being installed
on the engine (Fig. 1). If it is not installed correctly
engine misfire would occur.
Do not use pliers to pull the boot/heat shield
assembly from the spark plugs. This will damage the
shield assembly.
Spark plug boot heat shields must be replaced if
they are bent or damaged. It is extremely important
the shield is reinstalled correctly as shown. The bot-
tom of the spark plug heat shield must make contact
with the spark plug socket hex.
Firing OrderÐ3.3/3.8L
Fig. 1 Spark Plug Boot/Heat Shield Orientation
8D - 28 IGNITION SYSTEMNS

(5) Install intake strut bolt to cylinder head at cyl-
inder head.
(6) Tighten bolt to intake strut at intake.
(7) Tighten bolt at cylinder head.
(8) Install the resonator.
SPARK PLUG #1
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the accessory drive belt, refer to Group
7, Cooling.
(2) Remove the 4 bolts from the upper half of the
generator bracket.
(3) Push the Generator rearward.
(4) Grasp the spark plug boot/shield assembly as
close as possible to the spark plug.Twist the boot/
shield assembly slightly to break its seal with
the plug and pull straight out. Do not use pli-
ers, pull on the ignition cable, or pull the spark
plug boot at an angle.This could damage the
spark plug insulator, terminal, or the insulation.
Wipe spark plug insulator clean with a dry cloth
before installation.
(5) Remove spark plug
INSTALLATION
(1) Install spark plug and tighten to 28 N´m (20 ft.
lbs.).
(2) When installing the spark plug cables, make
sure the coil or spark plug insulator and terminals
are fully seated. Aclick sound should be heard or
felt when the terminals are properly attached.
(3) Pull Generator back into place.
(4) Install upper Generator bracket with the 4
bolts.
(5) Install the accessory drive belt, refer to Group
7, Cooling.
IGNITION COIL
REMOVAL
(1) Remove spark plug cables from coil (Fig. 2).
Always twist the spark plug boots to break the seal
with the plug and pull straight back on the boot.
(2) Remove ignition coil electrical connector.
(3) Remove ignition coil mounting screws.
(4) Remove ignition coil.
INSTALLATION
(1) Reverse the above procedure for installation.
Tighten mounting screws to 12 N´m (105 in. lbs.)
torque.
(2) Transfer spark plug cables to new coil pack.
The coil pack towers and cables are numbered with
the cylinder identification.
CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Disconnect crankshaft position sensor electrical
connector from the wiring harness connector (Fig. 3).
(3) Remove crankshaft position sensor retaining
bolt.
(4) Pull crankshaft position sensor straight up out
of the transaxle housing.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: If the removed sensor is to be reinstalled,
clean off the old spacer on the sensor face. A NEW
SPACER must be attached to the sensor face before
installation. If the sensor is being replaced, confirm
that the paper spacer is attached to the face of the
new sensor (Fig. 4).
(1) Install sensor in transaxle and push sensor
down until contact is made with the drive plate.
Fig. 2 Ignition Coil Removal
Fig. 3 Crankshaft Position Sensor Connector
8D - 30 IGNITION SYSTEMNS
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

While holding the sensor in this position, and install
and tighten the retaining bolt to 11.9 N´m (105 in.
lbs.) torque.
(2) Raise and support vehicle.
(3) Connect crankshaft position sensor electrical
connector to the wiring harness connector.
CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect camshaft position sensor electrical
connector from the wiring harness connector (Fig. 5).
(2) Remove bolt holding sensor (Fig. 6).There is a
hole in the bracket for tool access to the sensor
bolt.
(3) Rotate sensor away from block (Fig. 7).
(4) Pull sensor up out of the chain case cover.Do
not pull on the sensor lead.There is an O-ring on
the sensor case. The O-ring may make removal diffi-
cult. A light tap to top of sensor prior to removal may
reduce force needed for removal.
INSTALLATION
If the removed sensor is reinstalled, clean off
the old spacer on the sensor face. A NEW
SPACER must be attached to the face beforeinstallation.Inspect O-ring for damage, replace if
necessary. If the sensor is being replaced, confirm
that the paper spacer is attached to the face and O-
ring is positioned in groove of the new sensor (Fig. 8).
(1) Apply a couple drops of clean engine oil to the
O-ring prior to installation.
(2) Install sensor in the chain case cover and
rotate into position.
(3) Push sensor down until contact is made with
the camshaft gear. While holding the sensor in this
position, install and tighten the retaining bolt 14
N´m (125 in. lbs.) torque.
(4) Connect camshaft position sensor electrical
connector to harness connector.
Fig. 4 Crankshaft Position Sensor and Spacer
Fig. 5 Camshaft Position Sensor
Fig. 6 Camshaft Sensor Bolt Removal/Installation
Fig. 7 Camshaft Sensor Removal/Installation
NSIGNITION SYSTEM 8D - 31
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE (MAP) SENSOR
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect electrical connector from MAP sen-
sor.
(2) Remove 2 screws holding sensor to intake man-
ifold (Fig. 9).
(3) Remove sensor from manifold.
INSTALLATION
Reverse the above procedure for installation.
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR
The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor is
located below the ignition coil (Fig. 10).
REMOVAL
(1) Drain cooling system until coolant level is
below sensor. Refer to Group 7, Cooling System.
(2) Remove electrical connector from coil (Fig. 11).
(3) Remove coil mounting screws.
(4) Rotate coil away from engine coolant tempera-
ture sensor.
(5) Disconnect electrical connector from engine
coolant temperature sensor.
(6) Remove sensor from engine.
INSTALLATION
(1) Tighten the sensor to 7 N´m (60 in. lbs.) torque.
(2) Connect electrical connector to sensor.
(3) Fill cooling system. Refer to Group 7, Cooling
System.
(4) Install coil. Tighten coil mounting screws to 12
N´m (105 in. lbs.) torque.
(5) Connect electrical connector to coil.
THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR
Refer to Group 14, Fuel Injection Section, for
Removal/Installation.
KNOCK SENSORÐ3.3/3.8L
The knock sensor threads into the side of the cyl-
inder block in front of the starter (Fig. 12).
Fig. 8 Camshaft Position Sensor and Spacer
Fig. 9 Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor
Fig. 10 Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
Fig. 11 Ignition Coil Removal
8D - 32 IGNITION SYSTEMNS
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect electrical connector from knock sen-
sor.
(2) Use a crow foot socket to remove the knock
sensor.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install knock sensor. Tighten knock sensor to
10 N´m (7 ft. lbs.) torque.Over or under tighten-
ing effects knock sensor performance, possibly
causing improper spark control.
(2) Attach electrical connector to knock sensor.
SPECIFICATIONS
IGNITION COILFig. 12 Knock Sensor
Coil ManufacturePrimary Resistance at 21ÉC-27ÉC
(70ÉF-80ÉF)Secondary Resistance at 21ÉC-
27ÉC (70ÉF-80ÉF)
Weastec (Aluminum Towers) 0.45 TO 0.65 Ohms 7,000 to 15,800 Ohms
Diamond Electric (Brass Towers) 0.45 TO 0.65 Ohms 7,000 to 15,800 Ohms
Coil PolarityCoil Polarity
NSIGNITION SYSTEM 8D - 33
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)