The 3.8L SC, and 4.6L engines are equipped with Distributorless Ignition Systems. The DIS consists of the following components: crankshaft sensor, ignition module, ignition coil pack, the spark angle portion of the ECU and the related wiring. The system used on the 3.8L SC engine includes a camshaft sensor.

The DIS eliminates the need for a distributor by using multiple ignition coils. Each coil fires 2 spark plugs at the same time. The plugs are paired so as 1 fires during the compression cycle, the other fires during the exhaust stroke. The next time the coil is fired, the plug that was on exhaust will be on compression and the 1 that was on compression will be on exhaust. The spark in the exhaust cylinder is wasted but little of the coil energy is lost. The ignition coils are mounted together in coil packs. There are 2 coil packs used on the 4.6L engine, each containing 2 ignition coils. The 3.8L SC engine uses 1 coil pack containing 3 separate ignition coils.

The crankshaft sensor is a Hall effect magnetic switch, activated by vanes on the crankshaft damper and pulley assembly. The signal generated by this sensor is called the Profile Ignition Pickup (PIP). The PIP signal provides base timing and rpm information to the ECU.

The camshaft sensor used on the 3.8L SC engine is a Hall effect magnetic switch, activated by a single vane which is driven by the camshaft. This sensor provides CID information for the ignition coil and for fuel system synchronization.

The ignition module is a microprocessor that receives input from the crankshaft and camshaft sensors in regards to engine position, base timing and engine speed and input from the ECU pertaining to spark advance. The ignition module uses this information to direct which coil to fire and to calculate the turn on and turn off times of the coils required to achieve the correct dwell and spark advance.