1998 DODGE RAM 1500 Cylinder

IGNITION CONTROL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
IGNITION CONTROL
DESCRIPTION..........................1
SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS - TORQUE - IGNITION....3
ENGINE FIRING ORDER - 3.7L V-6.........4
ENGINE FIRING ORDER ± 4.7L V-8........4
FIRING ORDER / CABLE ROUTING ± 5.7L
V-8 ENGINE...........................4
SPARK PLUG CABLE RESISTANCE........4
SPARK PLUGS........................4
IGNITION COIL RESISTANCE - 3.7L V-6.....5
IGNITION COIL RESISTANCE - 4.7L V-8.....5
IGNITION COIL RESISTANCE - 5.7L V-8.....5
IGNITION TIMING......................5
AUTOMATIC SHUT DOWN RELAY
DESCRIPTION - PCM OUTPUT.............5
OPERATION
OPERATION - PCM OUTPUT.............5
OPERATION - ASD SENSE - PCM INPUT....5
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ASD AND FUEL
PUMP RELAYS........................5
REMOVAL.............................6
INSTALLATION..........................6
CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
DESCRIPTION..........................7
OPERATION............................7
REMOVAL.............................9
INSTALLATION.........................10IGNITION COIL
DESCRIPTION.........................11
OPERATION...........................12
REMOVAL.............................13
INSTALLATION.........................14
KNOCK SENSOR
DESCRIPTION.........................14
OPERATION...........................14
REMOVAL.............................15
INSTALLATION.........................15
SPARK PLUG
DESCRIPTION.........................17
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - SPARK PLUG
CONDITIONS.........................17
REMOVAL.............................19
CLEANING
CLEANING AND ADJUSTMENT...........20
INSTALLATION.........................20
IGNITION COIL CAPACITOR
DESCRIPTION.........................21
OPERATION...........................21
REMOVAL.............................21
INSTALLATION.........................21
SPARK PLUG CABLE
DESCRIPTION.........................21
OPERATION...........................21
REMOVAL.............................22
INSTALLATION.........................22
IGNITION CONTROL
DESCRIPTION
The ignition system is controlled by the Powertrain
Control Module (PCM) on all engines.
3.7L V-6 ENGINE
The 3.7L V-6 engine uses a separate ignition coil
for each cylinder. The one-piece coil bolts directly to
the cylinder head. Rubber boots seal the secondary
terminal ends of the coils to the top of all 6 spark
plugs. A separate electrical connector is used for each
coil.
Because of coil design, spark plug cables (second-
ary cables) are not used. A distributor is not used
with the 3.7L engine.
Two knock sensors (one for each cylinder bank) are
used to help control spark knock.The Auto Shutdown (ASD) relay provides battery
voltage to each ignition coil.
The ignition system consists of:
²6 Spark Plugs
²6 Separate Ignition Coils
²2 Knock Sensors
²Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
²Also to be considered part of the ignition system
are certain inputs from the Crankshaft Position,
Camshaft Position, Throttle Position, 2 knock and
MAP Sensors
4.7L V-8 ENGINE
The 4.7L V-8 engine uses a separate ignition coil
for each cylinder. The one-piece coil bolts directly to
the cylinder head. Rubber boots seal the secondary
terminal ends of the coils to the top of all 8 spark
plugs. A separate electrical connector is used for each
coil.
DRIGNITION CONTROL 8I - 1

Because of coil design, spark plug cables (second-
ary cables) are not used. A distributor is not used
with the 4.7L engine.
Two knock sensors (one for each cylinder bank) are
used to help control spark knock.
The Auto Shutdown (ASD) relay provides battery
voltage to each ignition coil.
The ignition system consists of:
²8 Spark Plugs
²8 Separate Ignition Coils
²2 Knock Sensors
²Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
²Also to be considered part of the ignition system
are certain inputs from the Crankshaft Position,
Camshaft Position, Throttle Position, 2 knock and
MAP Sensors
5.7L V-8 ENGINE
For additional information, also refer to Igni-
tion Coil Description and Operation.
The 5.7L V-8 engine is equipped with 16 spark
plugs. Two plugs are used for each cylinder. The 5.7L
is also equipped with 8 separate and independent
ignition coils. The one-piece coil bolts directly to the
cylinder head cover and attaches the coils secondary
output terminal directly to a spark plug using a rub-
ber boot seal. Each coil is also equipped with a sec-
ond output terminal. This second terminal connects a
conventional spark plug cable directly to a spark
plug on the opposite cylinder bank. A separate pri-
mary electrical connector is used for each coil.
Eight conventional spark plug cables are used with
the 5.7L. These cables connect a coil on one cylinder
bank, directly to a spark plug on the opposite cylin-
der bank. The cables are placed and routed in a spe-
cial plastic loom to keep them separated. This loom is
clipped to the intake manifold. To prevent a miss-
match of cables, a corresponding spark plug / coil
number is displayed on each plug cable: 1/6, 2/3, 4/7
and 5/8. These numbers can also be found on the top
of the intake manifold to the right of the throttle
body (Fig. 1).Two knock sensors (one for each cylinder bank) are
used to help control spark knock.
The 5.7L engine will not use a conventional distrib-
utor.
The ignition system consists of:
²16 Spark Plugs (2 per cylinder)
²8 Separate, Dual-Secondary Output, Ignition
Coils
²2 Knock Sensors
²8 Secondary Ignition Cables
²Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
²Also to be considered part of the ignition system
are certain inputs from the Crankshaft Position,
Camshaft Position, Throttle Position, 2 knock and
MAP Sensors
Fig. 1 FIRING ORDER / CABLE ROUTING - 5.7L V-8
ENGINE
1 - TOP OF INTAKE MANIFOLD
2 - CYLINDER FIRING ORDER (IGNITION COIL NUMBER)
3 - CORRESPONDING SPARK PLUG NUMBER
8I - 2 IGNITION CONTROLDR
IGNITION CONTROL (Continued)

ENGINE FIRING ORDER - 3.7L V-6
1-6-5-4-3-2
ENGINE FIRING ORDER ± 4.7L V-8
FIRING ORDER / CABLE ROUTING ± 5.7L V-8
ENGINE
Eight conventional spark plug cables are used with
the 5.7L. These cables connect a coil on one cylinder
bank, directly to a spark plug on the opposite cylin-
der bank. The cables are placed and routed in a spe-
cial plastic loom to keep them separated. This loom is
clipped to the intake manifold. To prevent a miss-match of cables, a corresponding spark plug / coil
number is displayed on each plug cable: 1/6, 2/3, 4/7
and 5/8. These numbers can also be found on the top
of the intake manifold to the right of the throttle
body (Fig. 2).
SPARK PLUG CABLE RESISTANCE
MINIMUM MAXIMUM
250 Ohms Per Inch 1000 Ohms Per Inch
3000 Ohms Per Foot 12,000 Ohms Per Foot
SPARK PLUGS
ENGINE PLUG TYPE ELECTRODE GAP
3.7L V-6 ZFR6F - 11G (NGK) 1.1 (0.042 in.)
4.7L V-8 RC12MCC4 1.01 mm (.040 in.)
5.7L V-8 Champion - RE14MCC4 1.14 mm (.045 in.)
Fig. 2 FIRING ORDER / CABLE ROUTING - 5.7L V-8
ENGINE
1 - TOP OF INTAKE MANIFOLD
2 - CYLINDER FIRING ORDER (IGNITION COIL NUMBER)
3 - CORRESPONDING SPARK PLUG NUMBER
8I - 4 IGNITION CONTROLDR
IGNITION CONTROL (Continued)

CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
DESCRIPTION
3.7L V-6
The Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) on the 3.7L
6-cylinder engine is bolted to the right-front side of
the right cylinder head.
4.7L V-8
The Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) on the 4.7L
V-8 engine is bolted to the right-front side of the
right cylinder head.
5.7L V-8
The Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) on the 5.7L
V-8 engine is located below the generator on the tim-
ing chain / case cover on the right/front side of
engine.
5.9L Diesel
The Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) on the 5.9L
diesel engine is located below the fuel injection
pump. It is bolted to the back of the timing gear
cover.
OPERATION
3.7L V-6
The Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) sensor on the
3.7L V-6 engine contains a hall effect device referred
to as a sync signal generator. A rotating target wheel
(tonewheel) for the CMP is located at the front of the
camshaft for the right cylinder head (Fig. 6). This
sync signal generator detects notches located on a
tonewheel. As the tonewheel rotates, the notches
pass through the sync signal generator. The signal
from the CMP sensor is used in conjunction with the
Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP) to differentiate
between fuel injection and spark events. It is also
used to synchronize the fuel injectors with their
respective cylinders.
When the leading edge of the tonewheel notch
enters the tip of the CMP, the interruption of mag-
netic field causes the voltage to switch high, result-
ing in a sync signal of approximately 5 volts.
When the trailing edge of the tonewheel notch
leaves then tip of the CMP, the change of the mag-
netic field causes the sync signal voltage to switch
low to 0 volts.
4.7L V-8
The CMP sensor on the 4.7L engine contains a hall
effect device called a sync signal generator to gener-
ate a fuel sync signal. This sync signal generator
detects notches located on a tonewheel. The tone-wheel is located at the front of the camshaft for the
right cylinder head (Fig. 7). As the tonewheel rotates,
the notches pass through the sync signal generator.
The pattern of the notches (viewed counter-clockwise
from front of engine) is: 1 notch, 2 notches, 3 notches,
3 notches, 2 notches 1 notch, 3 notches and 1 notch.
The signal from the CMP sensor is used in conjunc-
tion with the crankshaft position sensor to differenti-
ate between fuel injection and spark events. It is also
used to synchronize the fuel injectors with their
respective cylinders.
5.7L V-8
The CMP sensor is used in conjunction with the
crankshaft position sensor to differentiate between
fuel injection and spark events. It is also used to syn-
chronize the fuel injectors with their respective cylin-
ders. The sensor generates electrical pulses. These
pulses (signals) are sent to the Powertrain Control
Module (PCM). The PCM will then determine crank-
shaft position from both the camshaft position sensor
and crankshaft position sensor.
The tonewheel is located at the front of the cam-
shaft (Fig. 8). As the tonewheel rotates, notches (Fig.
8) pass through the sync signal generator.
When the cam gear is rotating, the sensor will
detect the notches. Input voltage from the sensor to
the PCM will then switch from a low (approximately
0.3 volts) to a high (approximately 5 volts). When the
sensor detects a notch has passed, the input voltage
switches back low to approximately 0.3 volts.
Fig. 6 CMP OPERATION- 3.7L V-6
1 - NOTCHES
2 - RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD
3 - CMP
4 - TONEWHEEL (TARGET WHEEL)
DRIGNITION CONTROL 8I - 7

5.9L Diesel
The Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) contains a
hall effect device. A rotating target wheel (tonewheel)
for the CMP is located on the front timing gear. This
hall effect device detects notches located on the tone-
wheel. As the tonewheel rotates, the notches pass the
tip of the CMP.
When the leading edge of the tonewheel notch
passes the tip of the CMP, the following occurs: The
interruption of magnetic field causes the voltage to
switch high resulting in a signal of approximately 5
volts.
When the trailing edge of the tonewheel notch
passes the tip of the CMP, the following occurs: The
change of the magnetic field causes the signal voltage
to switch low to 0 volts.
The CMP (Fig. 9) provides a signal to the Engine
Control Module (ECM) at all times when the engine
is running. The ECM uses the CMP information pri-
marily on engine start-up. Once the engine is run-
ning, the ECM uses the CMP as a backup sensor for
engine speed. The Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP)
is the primary engine speed indicator for the engine
after the engine is running.
Fig. 7 CMP AND TONEWHEEL OPERATION - 4.7L
V-8
1 - NOTCHES
2 - RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD
3 - CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
4 - TONEWHEEL
Fig. 8 CMP OPERATION - 5.7L ENGINE
1 - TIMING CHAIN COVER
2 - TONEWHEEL
3 - NOTCHES
Fig. 9 5.9L DIESEL CMP
1 - CMP
2 - FUEL INJECTION PUMP (BOTTOM)
3 - ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM)
4 - ECM ELEC. CONNECTOR
5 - CMP ELEC. CONNECTOR
6 - CMP MOUNTING BOLT
7 - BACK OF TIMING GEAR COVER
8I - 8 IGNITION CONTROLDR
CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (Continued)

REMOVAL
3.7L V-6
The Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) on the 3.7L
V-6 engine is bolted to the front/top of the right cyl-
inder head (Fig. 10).
(1) Disconnect electrical connector at CMP sensor.
(2) Remove sensor mounting bolt (Fig. 10).
(3) Carefully twist sensor from cylinder head.
(4) Check condition of sensor o-ring.
4.7L V-8
The Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) on the 4.7L
V±8 engine is bolted to the front/top of the right cyl-
inder head (Fig. 11).
(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Disconnect electrical connector at CMP sensor
(Fig. 11).
(3) Remove sensor mounting bolt (Fig. 11).
(4) Carefully twist sensor from cylinder head.
(5) Check condition of sensor o-ring.
5.7L V-8
The Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) on the 5.7L
V-8 engine is located on right side of timing chain
cover below generator (Fig. 12).
(1) Disconnect electrical connector at CMP sensor.
(2) Remove sensor mounting bolt (Fig. 13).
(3) Carefully twist sensor from cylinder head.
(4) Check condition of sensor o-ring.
Fig. 10 CMP LOCATION - 3.7L
1 - RIGHT/FRONT OF RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD
2 - CMP MOUNTING BOLT
3 - CMP LOCATION
Fig. 11 CMP LOCATION - 4.7L
1 - RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD
2 - CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
3 - MOUNTING BOLT
4 - ELEC. CONNECTOR
Fig. 12 CMP LOCATION ± 5.7L
1 - GENERATOR
2 - CMP LOCATION
3 - ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
DRIGNITION CONTROL 8I - 9
CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (Continued)

5.9L Diesel
The Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) on the 5.9L
diesel engine is located below the fuel injection
pump. It is bolted to the back of the timing gear
cover (Fig. 14).
(1) Disconnect electrical connector at CMP sensor
(Fig. 14).
(2) Remove sensor mounting bolt.
(3) Carefully twist sensor from timing gear cover.
(4) Check condition of sensor o-ring.
INSTALLATION
3.7L V-6
The Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) on the 3.7L
V-6 engine is bolted to the front/top of the right cyl-
inder head (Fig. 10).
(1) Clean out machined hole in cylinder head.
(2) Apply a small amount of engine oil to sensor
o-ring.
(3) Install sensor into cylinder head with a slight
rocking and twisting action.
CAUTION: Before tightening sensor mounting bolt,
be sure sensor is completely flush to cylinder head.
If sensor is not flush, damage to sensor mounting
tang may result.
(4) Install mounting bolt and tighten. Refer to
torque specifications.(5) Connect electrical connector to sensor.
4.7L V-8
The Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) on the 4.7L
V-8 engine is bolted to the front/top of the right cyl-
inder head (Fig. 11).
(1) Clean out machined hole in cylinder head.
(2) Apply a small amount of engine oil to sensor
o-ring.
(3) Install sensor into cylinder head with a slight
rocking action. Do not twist sensor into position as
damage to o-ring may result.
CAUTION: Before tightening sensor mounting bolt,
be sure sensor is completely flush to cylinder head.
If sensor is not flush, damage to sensor mounting
tang may result.
(4) Install mounting bolt and tighten. Refer to
Torque Specifications.
(5) Connect electrical connector to sensor.
5.7L V-8
The Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) on the 5.7L
V-8 engine is bolted to the right / front side of the
timing chain cover (Fig. 12) or (Fig. 13).
(1) Clean out machined hole in cylinder head.
Fig. 13 CMP REMOVAL / INSTALLATION ± 5.7L V-8
1 - TIMING CHAIN COVER (RIGHT/FRONT)
2 - CMP SENSOR
3 - MOUNTING BOLT
Fig. 14 5.9L DIESEL CMP
1 - CMP
2 - FUEL INJECTION PUMP (BOTTOM)
3 - ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM)
4 - ECM ELEC. CONNECTOR
5 - CMP ELEC. CONNECTOR
6 - CMP MOUNTING BOLT
7 - BACK OF TIMING GEAR COVER
8I - 10 IGNITION CONTROLDR
CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (Continued)

(2) Apply a small amount of engine oil to sensor
o-ring.
(3) Install sensor into cylinder head with a slight
rocking action. Do not twist sensor into position as
damage to o-ring may result.
CAUTION: Before tightening sensor mounting bolt,
be sure sensor is completely flush to timing chain
cover. If sensor is not flush, damage to sensor
mounting tang may result.
(4) Install mounting bolt and tighten. Refer to
Torque Specifications.
(5) Connect electrical connector to sensor.
5.9L Diesel
The CMP is located on the back of the timing gear
cover (Fig. 14).
(1) Clean out machined hole in back of timing gear
cover.
(2) Apply a small amount of engine oil to sensor
o-ring.
(3) Install sensor into timing gear cover with a
slight rocking action. Do not twist sensor into posi-
tion as damage to o-ring may result.
CAUTION: Before tightening sensor mounting bolt,
be sure sensor is completely flush to back of timing
chain cover. If sensor is not flush, damage to sen-
sor mounting tang may result.
(4) Install mounting bolt and tighten. Refer to
Torque Specifications.
(5) Connect electrical connector to sensor.
IGNITION COIL
DESCRIPTION
3.7L V-6
The 3.7L V-6 engine uses 6 dedicated, and individ-
ually fired coil for each spark plug (Fig. 15). Each
coil is mounted directly into the cylinder head and
onto the top of each spark plug (Fig. 16).
4.7L V-8
The 4.7L V±8 engine uses 8 dedicated, and individ-
ually fired coil (Fig. 15) for each spark plug. Each
coil is mounted directly to the top of each spark plug
(Fig. 17).
5.7L V-8
The 5.7L V±8 engine uses 8 dedicated, and individ-
ually fired coil (Fig. 18) for each pair of spark plugs.
Each coil is mounted directly to the top of each spark
plug (Fig. 19). Each coil is bolted to the valve cover.
Fig. 15 IGNITION COIL - 3.7L V-6/ 4.7L V-8
1 - O-RING
2 - IGNITION COIL
3 - ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
Fig. 16 IGNITION COIL LOCATION - 3.7L V-6
1 - IGNITION COIL
2 - COIL MOUNTING NUT
DRIGNITION CONTROL 8I - 11
CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (Continued)