What is a Spark Advance Table?
A spark advance table is a set of values that tells the engine control module (ECM) when to fire the spark plug. These values are determined based on several factors, including the engine load, RPM, and engine temperature. By adjusting the spark timing based on these variables, the engine can be tuned for optimal performance and fuel efficiency.
How Does a Spark Advance Table Work?
In order to understand how a spark advance table works, it's important to first understand the concept of ignition timing. Ignition timing refers to the timing at which the spark plugs fires in relation to the position of the piston in the cylinder. Ideally, the spark plug should fire just before the piston reaches top dead center (TDC) on its compression stroke. The timing of the spark plug firing is controlled by the ECU. As the engine operates, the ECU continuously monitors various sensors to determine the engine load, RPM, and other variables. Based on this information, the ECU looks up the appropriate value in the spark advance table and adjusts the timing accordingly. For example, if the engine is under heavy load and operating at high RPM, the ECM might advance the ignition timing to improve power output. Conversely, if the engine is running at low RPM and light load, the ECU might retard the timing to improve fuel efficiency.
Identification of Spark Tables:
Identification of spark tables The easiest way to identify spark tables is to know their pattern as you can see above. In most spark tables, if we consider the horizontal axis as the engine load symbol and the vertical axis as the engine speed symbol. As the engine speed increases, the table values increase and as the engine load increases, the table values decrease.
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