Ford > Engine > Spark Control > Spark Advance

Main Spark Tables
Note: Excessive spark advance will cause knock (detonation, pinging) and lead to severe engine damage. Do NOT rely on knock sensors as the only source of detecting knock during tuning.

• Spark Borderline Knock vs. RPM vs. Load: This is the main spark table calibrated to prevent the engine from knocking(detonating,pinging) at 14.7:1(1.0 Lambda). It is typically calibrated at normal operating temperatures and 75F/25C IAT's.
• Spark Borderline Knock(Alcohol) vs. RPM vs. Load: This is the main spark table calibrated to prevent the engine from knocking(detonating,pinging) at 14.7:1(1.0 Lambda). It is typically calibrated at normal operating temperatures and 75F/25/C IAT's. Alcohol applications.
• Spark MBT vs. RPM vs. Load: This is the theoretical spark that produces maximum torque for the engine, it is used for torque calculations and is also a maximum limit for spark advance.
• Spark Decel vs. RPM vs. ECT: This table determines the spark that is used for Deceleration conditions in relation to RPM and ECT.

Spark Idle

• Spark Idle In Gear vs. ECT: Idle spark value when in Gear.
• Spark Idle P/N vs. ECT: Idle spark value when in Park/Neutral.
• Spark Idle Gain vs. Cold Start Spark Retard: Multiplier for spark during cold start retard.
• Spark Idle Control Minimum: This is the minimum allowed spark that the idle control routines will command when trying to reduce engine RPM.

Cold Start

• Spark Maximum Cold Start vs. ECT vs. ERT: This table provides a maximum spark limit for catalytic converter warmup during cold starts in relation to ECT and Engine Run Time(ERT).
• Spark Maximum Cold Start Adder vs. RPM vs. Load: This table adds to the maximum spark limit for catalytic converter warmup during cold starts in relation to RPM and Load.
• Spark Maximum Cold Start Adder vs. RPM vs. CatTemp: This table adds to the maximum spark limit for catalytic converter warmup during cold starts in relation to TPS and CatTemp.
• Spark Maximum Cold Start(Alcohol) vs. ECT vs. ERT: This table provides a maximum spark limit for catalytic converter warmup during cold starts in relation to ECT and Engine Run Time(ERT). For Alcohol applications.
• Spark Maximum Cold Start Adder(Alcohol) vs. RPM vs. Load: This table adds to the maximum spark limit for catalytic converter warmup during cold starts in relation to RPM and Load. For Alcohol applications.
• Spark Maximum Cold Start Adder(Alcohol) vs. TPS vs. CatTemp: This table adds to the maximum spark limit for catalytic converter warmup during cold starts in relation to TPS and CatTemp. For Alcohol applications.

Spark Correction The VCM incorporates a number of corrections to the spark advance depending on current engine operating conditions.

• Spark Lambda Correction vs. RPM vs. Lambda: This is the main spark correction for Lambda(AFR) in relation to RPM and commanded Lambda.

  
  

• Spark IAT Correction vs. IAT: This is the main spark correction for inlet air temperature(IAT).
• Spark IAT Correction Mult vs. RPM vs. Load: This table multiplies the Spark IAT Correction value in relation to RPM and Load to determine the final IAT Correction spark.

  
  

• Spark ECT Correction vs. ECT: This is the main spark correction for engine coolant temperature(ECT).
• Spark ECT Correction Mult vs. RPM vs. Load: This table sets a maximum allowed spark to limit combustion pressure in relation to RPM and Load.

  
  

• Spark IMRC Correction vs. RPM vs. Load: This is the main spark correction for when the IMRC is open in relation to RPM and Load.
• Spark IMRC MBT Correction vs. RPM vs. Load: This is the MBT spark correction for when the IMRC is open in relation to RPM and Load.

Variable Cam Spark

• Spark VCT Correction(IMRC Open) vs. RPM vs. Load: This is the main spark correction for when VCT is active(in closed loop mode) in relation to RPM and Load. The values are in degrees per camshaft degree.
• Spark VCT MBT Correction(IMRC Open) vs. RPM vs. Load: This is the MBT spark correction for when VCT is active(in closed loop mode) in relation to RPM and Load. The values are in degrees per camshaft degree.
• Spark VCT Correction(IMRC Closed) vs. RPM vs. Load: This is the main spark correction for when VCT is active(in closed loop mode) in relation to RPM and Load. The values are in degrees per camshaft degree.
• Spark VCT MBT Correction(IMRC Closed) vs. RPM vs. Load: This is the MBT spark correction for when VCT is active(in closed loop mode) in relation to RPM and Load. The values are in degrees per camshaft degree.
• Spark VCT Correction vs. RPM vs. Load: This is the main spark correction for when VCT is active(in closed loop mode) in relation to RPM and Load. The values are in degrees per camshaft degree.
• Spark VCT MBT Correction vs. RPM vs. Load: This is the MBT spark correction for when VCT is active(in closed loop mode) in relation to RPM and Load. The values are in degrees per camshaft degree.

Miscellaneous

• Spark Combustion Noise Retard vs. RPM vs. Load: This table provides spark retard to control combustion noise in relation to RPM and Load.
• Spark Emissions Retard vs. RPM vs. Load: This table provides spark retard for emissions purposes in relation to RPM and Load.
• Spark Load Increase Correction vs. RPM vs. Load:
• Spark Combustion Pressure Limit vs. RPM vs. Load: This table sets a maximum allowed spark to limit combustion pressure in relation to RPM and Load.
• Spark EGR Correction vs. Load: This table is the spark adder for EGR in relation to Load. The values are spark degrees per percent of EGR.
• Spark Octane Plug Adder vs. RPM vs. Load: This table is used to modify the spark based on whether the Octane Plug function has been enabled by the dealer.
• Spark Low Load Maximum vs. Time: This table provides a maximum spark limit when uner low load conditions in relation to the time that the engine has been operating at low load.
• Spark Firing Order vs. Cylinder #: This defines the firing order. We recommend not changing this.
• Spark Global Adder: This value adds to the final spark advance value.
• Spark Global Multiplier: This value multiplies the final spark advance value.

Spark Tip-In

• Spark Tip-In Torque Control RPM Max: Above this RPM, Spark Tip-In Torque Control will be disabled.
• Spark Tip-In Torque Control RPM Min: Below this RPM, Spark Tip-In Torque Control will be disabled.