Which components are part of a "coil-over-plug" (COP) ignition system?

In a "coil-over-plug" (COP) ignition system, each spark plug has its own ignition coil located directly above it, which eliminates the need for spark plug wires. This design enhances ignition timing accuracy and decreases the lengths of the ignition circuit, allowing for better efficiency and more reliable performance.

The primary component of the COP system is the ignition coil, which generates the high voltage needed to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the engine's combustion chamber. Each coil is activated independently, which can improve spark consistency and reduce the potential for misfires. This setup is advantageous in modern engines, which often require precise control of ignition timing to meet performance and emissions standards.

Other components mentioned, such as spark plug wires, distributor caps, and crankshaft position sensors, are not part of the COP system. Spark plug wires are used in traditional ignition systems with a single ignition coil, a distributor cap is used to direct high voltage from the coil to the appropriate cylinder in older systems, and the crankshaft position sensor assists in determining engine timing but is not part of the ignition coil configuration in a COP system.