ignition troubles with my old dodge and the solution

[david hagan]

recently my 84 d150 with carburated 318 engine quit on me. after some checking the problem was found to be a small module mounted on the driver's side fender. research determined that this was a 'spark control' module. my luck held true and this part was longer to be had from any source or any salvage yard. i tried a rebuilt point type distributor but it was a disaster and would not maintain gap on points. having been a mechanic thru the transition from point type to electronic ignition i opened some long dusty doors in the old brain. then went to my archive of manuals. the solution is long as you have a single pickup distributor, standard ignition coil, standard electronic ignition module, and ballast resistor, which i had all of the above, wiring is same as 78 thru 85. unplug the unobtainable module and my truck now starts and runs better than ever! also a check check for the pickup in the distributor is to take a DMM place it on continuity test, hook leads up to wires from pickup and slowly spin the distributor shaft. if its good it will beep each time a tooth on the reluctor passes the sensor.  also found another option. new electronic ignition distributors are made using the old style GM cap, rotor, coil and ignition module. one for my 318 was a little over 80 bucks but i could not use it due to clearance issue of cap/firewall and i did not want to modify my firewall. however in motor homes and vans this should not be an issue. also available for big block chrysler engines. hope this helps someone.  

[R ichard Stetler]

Has a new starter starter relay cleaned everything still will not start

[Don Head]

I'm sorry but I fail to see the problem. Both of these issues are easily fixed. Please contact me directly for any assistance. 

[R ichard Stetler]

I have a 1972 dodge my problem is the connection from the battery to starter