
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

CAUTION: Never coat the inside of spark plug
boots with silicone grease. Some types of silicone
grease can damage the ignition cable conductor.
SPARK PLUG CABLES #3 AND #5
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the resonator.
(2) Grasp the spark plug boot/heat shield as close
as possible to the spark plug.Twist the boot
slightly to break its seal with the plug and pull
straight back. Do not use pliers, pull on the
ignition cable, or pull the spark plug boot at an
angle.This could damage the spark plug insulator,
terminal, or the cable insulation. Wipe spark plug
insulator clean with a dry cloth before installation.
(3) Remove the cable from the retaining bracket.
Make sure that they are also detached from the rear
retaining clip mounted on the rear of the intake
manifold.
INSTALLATION
(1) When installing the spark plug cables, make
sure the coil and spark plug insulator and terminals
are fully seated. Aclick sound should be heard or
terminal engagement is felt when the terminals
are properly attached.
(2) Install the cable into the retaining bracket.
Make sure that they are also attached to the rear
retaining clip mounted on the rear of the intake
manifold.
(3) Install the resonator.
SPARK PLUG CABLE #1
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the accessory drive belt, refer to Group
7, Cooling.
(2) Remove the four 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
slightly to break its seal with the plug and pull
straight back. Do not use pliers, pull on the
ignition cable, or pull the spark plug boot at an
angle.This could damage the spark plug insulator,
terminal, or the cable insulation. Wipe spark plug
insulator clean with a dry cloth before installation.
(5) Remove the cable from the retaining bracket.
INSTALLATION
(1) When installing the spark plug cables, make
sure the coil and spark plug insulator and terminals
are fully seated. Aclick sound should be heard orterminal engagement is felt when the terminals
are properly attached.
(2) Rotate Generator back into place.
(3) Install upper Generator bracket with the four
bolts.
(4) Install the accessory drive belt, refer to Group
7, Cooling.
SPARK PLUG SERVICEÐ3.3/3.8L ENGINES
WARNING: The ignition cables should not be
removed while the engine is hot. This could cause
server injury/burns and can cause damage to the
ignition cables.
Use extreme care when removing and installing
the spark plug 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 #3 AND #5
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the resonator.
(2) Remove intake strut to cylinder head bolt at
cylinder head.
(3) Loosen bolt for intake strut at intake.
(4) Swing strut away.
(5) Grasp the spark plug boot/shield assembly as
close as possible to the spark plug.Twist the boot/
shield assembly slightly to break the 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, heat shield or the
insulation. Wipe spark plug insulator clean with a
dry cloth before installation.
(6) 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 spark plug insulator and terminals are fully
seated. Aclick sound should be heard or felt
when the terminals are properly attached.
(3) Install the cable into the retaining bracket.
Make sure that they are also attached to the rear
retaining clip mounted on the rear of the intake
manifold.
(4) Swing strut back into place.
NSIGNITION SYSTEM 8D - 29
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(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)

SPARK PLUG
* New Spark Plug Gap
TORQUE
DESCRIPTION......................TORQUE
3.3L Camshaft Position
Sensor Screw.............12N´m(105 in. lbs.)
3.3L Engine Coolant Sensor......7N´m(60in.lbs.)
3.3L Crankshaft Position
Sensor Screw.............12N´m(105 in. lbs.)
3.3/3.8L Ignition Coil.........12N´m(105 in. lbs.)
Ignition Switch...............2N´m(17in.lbs.)
Spark Plugs.................28N´m(20ft.lbs.)
SPARK PLUG CABLE RESISTANCEÐ3.3/3.8L
Engine Spark Plug Gap * Thread Size
3.3L RN14PMP5 0.048 TO 0.053 14mm (3/4 in.) reach
3.8L RN14PMP5 0.048 TO 0.053 14mm (3/4 in. ) reach
CABLE Maximum
Resistance
#1 18.5K ohms
#2 15.5K ohms
#3 20.4K ohms
#4 21.2K ohms
#5 27.7K ohms
#6 26.7K ohms
8D - 34 IGNITION SYSTEMNS
SPECIFICATIONS (Continued)

IGNITION SWITCH AND LOCK CYLINDER
INDEX
page page
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
IGNITION INTERLOCK.................... 35
LOCK KEY CYLINDER.................... 35
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
IGNITION INTERLOCK.................... 38IGNITION SWITCH....................... 35
LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING............... 38
LOCK KEY CYLINDER.................... 38
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
IGNITION INTERLOCK
All vehicles equipped with automatic transaxles
have an interlock system. The system prevents shift-
ing the vehicle out of Park unless the ignition lock
cylinder is in the Off, Run or Start position. In addi-
tion, the operator cannot rotate the key to the lock
position unless the shifter is in the park position. On
vehicles equipped with floor shift refer to Group 21 -
Transaxle for Automatic Transmission Shifter/Igni-
tion Interlock.
LOCK KEY CYLINDER
The lock cylinder is inserted in the end of the
housing opposite the ignition switch. The ignition key
rotates the cylinder to 5 different detents (Fig. 1):
²Accessory
²Off (lock)
²Unlock
²On/Run
²Start
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
IGNITION SWITCH
The ignition switch attaches to the lock cylinder
housing on the end opposite the lock cylinder (Fig. 2).
For ignition switch terminal and circuit identifica-
tion, refer to Group 8W, Wiring Diagrams.
Fig. 1 Ignition Lock Cylinder Detents
Fig. 2 Ignition SwitchÐViewed From Below Column
NSIGNITION SYSTEM 8D - 35