Electronic Ignition: Description

All Dodge and Plymouth vehicles with V8 engines use Chrysler Corp. Electronic Ignition. This system consists of an electronic control unit, an ignition coil, a 1.25 ohm ballast resistor and a distributor with both vacuum and centrifugal advance mechanisms. See Fig 1 and Fig 2.

Fig 1: Electronic Ignition Wiring Diagram for V8 Engines with Single Pick-Up Coil (NOTE: No Terminal No. 3)

Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC

Distributors may vary between models, as some have a reluctor and single pick-up coil assembly, while other models have a reluctor and 2 pick-up coil assemblies. Models with dual pickup coil assemblies also have a dual pick-up start-run relay, located between the electronic control unit and the distributor.

Fig 2: Electronic Ignition Wiring Diagram for V8 Engines with Dual Pick-Up Coil (NOTE: No Terminal No. 3)

Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC

The dual pick-up start-run relay permits use of a dual pick-up distributor without electronic spark advance. This results in improved timing and increased fuel economy.

The control unit is connected to the rest of the system through a 4-wire connector. The distributor is connected to the control unit by a 2-wire or by two 2-wire connectors (dual pick-up models).