Ignition Timing Control
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Saturn LW300 and 2003 Saturn L300. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Ignition spark timing and ignition dwell time are controlled entirely by the ECM. The ECM monitors information from various engine sensors, computes the desired spark timing and dwell, and firing of the ignition coil via ignition control circuit to the coil driver.