Ignition help .. ECU and ballast resistor ?s...
#368561
07/06/09 08:50 PM
07/06/09 08:50 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
Dulles, VA
phathemi
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
Dulles, VA
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Hi, my first post, hope I'm doing it right. Mine is a 71 challenger w/383 with electronic igtn. I assume the car was originally a points/condenser ignition but was converted at some point. The car started OK and ran fine, but last week I had dead battery. I jump started the car a couple of times and finally replaced the battery. Now with the new battery, won't fire up. Cranks great, smell fuel, no spark, have 12V at blue wire on resistor w/key in ON position. Wondering if I blew up something while jump starting it. I replaced the coil but didn't help. I want to order an electronic ctrl module (5pin which is what I have), coil resistor (because mine was showing no ohms- short). My questions, 1)How can I get a good brand of ECM –don’t want a cheap Chinese one that works for three weeks, RockAuto sells one by Airtek wonder if it's good.. 2) How do I pick a ECM since mine wasn't stock with electronic ign, are there different ones or are they all set the same? I'm specing one from a 72 charger with a 440 3) Also, on my coil's + term. is a capacitor that mounts to intake manifold, do I need it? Is it an ignition capacitor vs. a condensor? If the car was converted do I even still need that little capacitor? Also-I had read on a thread that if you have a 5 pin ECU that you should have a 4 prong resistor, I only have a 2 prong, but there are not any non-connected wires anywhere, should I worry?
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Re: Ignition help .. ECU and ballast resistor ?s...
[Re: phathemi]
#368562
07/06/09 09:30 PM
07/06/09 09:30 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
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Welcome aboard. A 4 terminal ballast resistor requires a 5 pin ECU but a 2 terminal ballast(what you have) will work w a 5 or a 4 pin ECU. A MP "chrome box" ECU is a very good choice both for reliability and performance but for the money you might grab a parts house one(4 pin if they have em) & get it going. This is a round capacitor connected to the positive primary terminal?. I'd leave it on, helps w voltage surges.
Last edited by RapidRobert; 07/06/09 09:39 PM.
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Re: Ignition help .. ECU and ballast resistor ?s...
[Re: phathemi]
#368566
07/10/09 12:20 PM
07/10/09 12:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,018
Morningside
AdventurerSport
waaaay out there in left field
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waaaay out there in left field
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,018
Morningside
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go to NAPA, part #TP50, lifetime warranty, run 'em on all my Mopars, last a LONG time, 5 pin ECU but the 5th pin is dead, works as a 4pin (universal).  Good luck! JS
76 Dodge Adventurer Sport Power Wagon W100 318, 727, NP203 Fulltime 4x4 Russet Red
06 Jeep Commander Ltd 4x4, 5.7L Hemi, QuadraDrive II
06 Chrysler 300C AWD 5.7L Hemi
10 Mopar 10 Challenger R/T, #483/500, 5.7L HEMI
10 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd 4x4 5.7L HEMI
11 Dodge Ram 1500 LoneStar Quad Cab, 5.7L HEMI, Fulltime 4x4, Deep Cherry Red
16 Jeep Cherokee Limited 3.2L Pentastar V6, 9 Speed Torqueflite, 4x4, Black
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Re: Ignition help .. ECU and ballast resistor ?s...
[Re: phathemi]
#368567
07/10/09 02:00 PM
07/10/09 02:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,647
IL
71383beep
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,647
IL
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Quote:
Hi, my first post, hope I'm doing it right. Mine is a 71 challenger w/383 with electronic igtn. I assume the car was originally a points/condenser ignition but was converted at some point. The car started OK and ran fine, but last week I had dead battery. I jump started the car a couple of times and finally replaced the battery. Now with the new battery, won't fire up. Cranks great, smell fuel, no spark, have 12V at blue wire on resistor w/key in ON position. Wondering if I blew up something while jump starting it. I replaced the coil but didn't help. I want to order an electronic ctrl module (5pin which is what I have), coil resistor (because mine was showing no ohms- short). My questions, 1)How can I get a good brand of ECM –don’t want a cheap Chinese one that works for three weeks, RockAuto sells one by Airtek wonder if it's good.. 2) How do I pick a ECM since mine wasn't stock with electronic ign, are there different ones or are they all set the same? I'm specing one from a 72 charger with a 440 3) Also, on my coil's + term. is a capacitor that mounts to intake manifold, do I need it? Is it an ignition capacitor vs. a condensor? If the car was converted do I even still need that little capacitor? Also-I had read on a thread that if you have a 5 pin ECU that you should have a 4 prong resistor, I only have a 2 prong, but there are not any non-connected wires anywhere, should I worry?
Ok your post is going all over the place here. Now your getting advice on ECU's but are you still having a starting problem?
If so I think changing the box won't help. I thought that During start power is supplied directly to the + side of the coil from a looped brown wire on the opposite side of the ballast resistor. Once the key is let go the run side powers the box and the - side of the coil.
Look at the tech archives in the electronic ignition section to see this.
'73 GK6 Challenger Rallye - 340 4-Speed
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Re: Ignition help .. ECU and ballast resistor ?s...
[Re: phathemi]
#368568
07/10/09 10:34 PM
07/10/09 10:34 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,822
Colorado
denfireguy
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,822
Colorado
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>> Is it an ignition capacitor vs. a condensor?
Capacitor and condenser are interchangeable words. In the olden days, they were condensers. Capacitor is a newer term for the same thing. Even if you don't have a radio, your neighbors and those next to you in traffic would appreciate your using one if they are listening to AM radio.
Craig
2014 Ram 1500 Laramie, 73 Cuda
Previous mopars: 62 Valiant, 65 Fury III, 68 Fury III, 72 Satellite, 74 Satellite, 89 Acclaim, 98 Caravan, 2003 Durango
Only previous Non-Mopar: Schwinn Tornado
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Re: Ignition help .. ECU and ballast resistor ?s...
[Re: RapidRobert]
#368570
07/20/09 04:06 PM
07/20/09 04:06 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
Dulles, VA
phathemi
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
Dulles, VA
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OK, you guys are gonna kill me, I got the car running, it was the ECU and/or ballast. I bought what was already in the car. 5 wire ECU, 2 prong ballast. I think the 5th wire runs into the harness and doesn't go anywhere. (I had ordered from Rock auto just before adventuresport gave the Napa number-wish I had done that first) During the process I replaced the coil too with an MSD. Now, car sounds great, even starts easier than ever since I've owned it (5 months), so it's probably had an issue since I got it. The problem is the ballast resistor is absolutely lava hot! It's gonna burn out any moment. So, are we back to the, I should have a 4 prong ballast with this ECU? Could it be the new coil being too hot, even though I was told they are universal and that shouldn't matter, maybe thats my problem? I'm ready to buy an MSD ignition and wire from scratch unless you guys think that would be a mistake.
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Re: Ignition help .. ECU and ballast resistor ?s...
[Re: Dougsmopars]
#368573
07/20/09 05:13 PM
07/20/09 05:13 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,595
TX , NJ , FL
WINGCARS_6970
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,595
TX , NJ , FL
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A brand new ballast resistor will heat up smoke first time .Then after that there good to go.Thats what Ive experienced
1969 Daytona 440 L9B410772
1970 Coronet 500 383 Presently owned
1970 Superbird 440 U 166242
1970 Superbird 440 U 174597
1970 Superbird 440-6 V 179697
1970 Coronet RT 440 U 224126
1968 Road Runner 426 J 134509
1970 Daytona Replica 318 G 178701
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