ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - V8
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 18-2-45
Ignition timing
The ignition timing is an important part of the ECM adaptive strategy. Ignition is controlled by a direct ignition system
using two four-ended coils operating on the wasted spark principle.
When the ECM triggers an ignition coil to spark, current from the coil travels to one spark plug, then jumps the gap at
the spark plug electrodes, igniting the mixture in the cylinder in the process. Current continues to travel along the earth
path (via the cylinder head) to the spark plug negative electrode at the cylinder that is on the exhaust stroke. The
current jumps across the spark plug electrodes and back to the coil completing the circuit. Since it has simultaneously
sparked in a cylinder that is on the exhaust stroke, it has not provided an ignition source there and is consequently
termed 'wasted'.
Conditions
The ECM calculates ignition timing using input from the following:
lCKP sensor.
lKnock sensors (KS).
lMAF sensor.
lTP sensor (idle only).
lECT sensor.
Function
At engine start up, the ECM sets ignition timing dependent on ECT information and starting rev/min from the CKP. As
the running characteristics of the engine change, the ignition timing changes. The ECM compares the CKP signal to
stored values in its memory, and if necessary advances or retards the spark via the ignition coils.
Ignition timing is used by the ECM for knock control.
Knock control
The ECM uses active knock control to prevent possible engine damage due to pre-ignition. This is achieved by
converting engine block noise into a suitable electrical signal that can be processed by the ECM. A major contributing
factor to engine 'knock' is fuel quality, the ECM can function satisfactorily on 91 RON fuel as well as the 95 RON fuel
that it is calibrated for.
Conditions
The ECM knock control system operates as follows:
lHot running engine.
l91 or 95 RON fuel.
Function
The ECM knock control uses two sensors located one between the centre two cylinders of each bank. The knock
sensors consist of piezo ceramic crystals that oscillate to create a voltage signal. During pre-ignition, the frequency
of crystal oscillation increases which alters the signal output to the ECM.
If the knock sensors detect pre-ignition in any of the cylinders, the ECM retards the ignition timing by 3
° for that
particular cylinder. If this action stops the engine knock, the ignition timing is restored to its previous figure in
increments of 0.75
°. If this action does not stop engine knock then the ECM retards the ignition timing a further 3° up
to a maximum of -15
° and then restores it by 0.75° and so on until the engine knock is eliminated.
The ECM also counteracts engine knock at high intake air temperatures by retarding the ignition as above. The ECM
uses the IAT signal to determine air temperature.
