78 Dodge truck ignition module problem

Found an issue with my dad's 78 Lil red express today. What could have caused it to melt?

Some just do that. Guess the potting material gives up.
Had an MP orange box do that once, maybe 20 years ago.
Get a parts-store replacement and odds are good it'll start & run just fine.

Thanks. We are going to get a new module and see what happens. The voltage regulator was replaced 8 years ago and it did the same thing. It was original to the truck as well.

& confirm that it is grounded well

Good point. We will check the ground as well. I can't seem to find the exact module for the truck. All I can find is the older style.

Do you have a yard close by?

Does anyone know where to get the newer style ignition module?

Yes, several.

I have some spares in my garage and the goop melted out all on its own, I think they just give up after a while and have had it run out whilst in use which still work fine but could be overheating too and a sign there could be a problem

That is not the ECU in your pic it is the EGR module.

Good eye, for the record the ignition control module has a 5 pin connector that looks sort of like a pentastar.



As for finding the EGR module, good luck. If you can find a PN on it you might be able to google that.

What do you mean by EGR module? If it is something to do with emissions, then that is impossible as the truck is a 78 Lil Red Express and has absolutely no emissions on it. The module you showed is nowhere on his truck and never had been.

I found an EGR module on eBay and it is orange and the part number doesn't match our part.

Ok I am wrong. I found the ignition module under the ballast resistor and it is new. I admit when I am wrong, sorry for the confusion. I still don't know why this truck would have an EGR module on it.

there are multiple versions out there. Not all of them are orange, nor do they all have the same PN.

Here's a partial listing of some.

Thanks for the info. He has the part number we need but I am not paying $55.00 for a used, untested electrical part.

I'll be honest, I would just clean it up and let it set there as a cosmetic thing and not worry about it working.