No spark, Bad Orange Box???

[carsnguitars]

So car was running just fine.
I turned it off today and then would not start up.
It cranks just fine, so I started looking at ignition.
I have the electronic ignition Mopar orange box.
I found 2 vdc at the coil with the ignition on. I figure this was way to low.
I pulled the negative of the coil that goes to the orange box and had over 10vdc on pos.
So am figuring bad orange box???
I pulled the connection from the distributor to isolate to the box.
Any ignition doctors out there concur? or should I be looking else where.
I heard these boxes can be an issue...is there better alternative I should order?
Thx for help..I am sure lots others had this problem as well.

[Ghoste]

I'm no ignition doctor but I have had Mopar ecu's fail and that sure sounds like a potential.

[A383Wing]

yea..sounds like a bad box...one of the reasons you always carry a spare. And always carry a spare ballast resistor also.

I have aftermarket, aka local part store boxes, on my cars....others will say go with gold, blue, or chrome ECU's...but I chose the standard brand by Echlin

[Ghoste]

I've had chrome ones fail too.  I think any of the Mopar ones made in Mexico are pretty suspect.

[carsnguitars]

Thanks guys....sounds like I better place an order for 2!

[Ghoste]

Or try an alternative.  I know Nacho has been repairing them with success but for me personally, I lack his skills and wouldn't be able to copy that.  Others have been going to the Rev-n-ator ones and the reports coming in have been favorable.

[Pete in NH]

Hi,

From your tests it does sound like the ECU box is fried, most likely the output transistor has shorted. One final test would be to check the pick up coil in the distributor. If you have an ohm meter disconnect the pick up connector and measure across the two pins from the distributor. It should read around 900 ohms. If that's okay I would go ahead and replace the ECU.

As A383wing mentioned, you can use an auto parts store box. Stay away from the real low price Chinese made units, Echlin should be a decent quality part. Carrying a spare is a good idea. When you install the new box make sure it is well grounded. Scrape the paint away from the mounting bolt positions and use internal or external tooth lockwashers to bite into the metal. I have a separate ground bonding wire one mine from the ECU mounting to the engine block. I have long suspected poor grounds cause the output transistors to fail in these ECU's.