The 4.6L Northstar Ignition Control System consists of the following components:

This ignition system consists of one ignition coil for each cylinder. Four ignition coils and one ignition control module are mounted on each camshaft cover. The output of the ignition coils are connected directly to the spark plugs without the use of spark plug wires.

The reluctor ring is cast onto the crankshaft between the 3 and 4 main journals. The reluctor ring has 24 evenly spaced notches or air gaps and an additional 8 unevenly spaced notches for a total of 32.

As the crankshaft makes one complete revolution, both the A and B sensors will produce 32 ON-OFF pulses per revolution. In addition, the A sensor is positioned 27 degrees of crankshaft revolution before the B sensor. This creates a unique pattern of ON-OFF pulses sent to the ignition control module so that it can recognize crankshaft position.

The camshaft position sensor is located on the rear cylinder bank in front of the exhaust camshaft. The camshaft position sensor extends into the rear cylinder head and is sealed with an O-ring.

As the rear cylinder bank exhaust camshaft turns, a steel pin on its drive sprocket passes over the magnetic camshaft position sensor. This creates an ON-OFF signal sent to the ignition sensors. The camshaft position sensor produces an ON-OFF pulse for every one revolution of the camshaft or every two revolutions of the crankshaft. This allows the ignition control module to recognize camshaft position.

The camshaft position sensor is not adjustable.

The knock sensor is located under the intake manifold, near the starter motor. The knock sensor detects abnormal vibration (spark knock or detonation) in the engine. The sensor produces an alternating current (AC) voltage which increases with the severity of the knock. The knock sensor is specifically tuned to the engine based on the frequency of vibration that the engine creates when it knocks. the knock sensor for the 4.6L Northstar is tuned to 7000 hertz. This signal is an input to the PCM, which then adjusts spark advance to reduce the spark knock.

The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) controls spark advance and fuel injection for all driving conditions. The PCM monitors input signals from the following components as part of its ignition control function to determine the required ignition timing: