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Electronic Ignition: Description

All Chrysler Corp. vehicles come equipped with electronic ignition. System is composed of a magnetic distributor, an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), wiring harness, coil, and a dual ballast resistor.

The primary circuit consists of battery, ignition switch, compensating side of ballast resistor, primary winding of ignition coil, power switching transistor of control unit, and vehicle frame. The secondary circuit consists of the coil secondary winding, distributor cap and rotor, spark plugs, and vehicle frame.

The compensating resistance serves the same purpose as in the contact type ignition, that is to maintain constant primary current with various engine speeds. During starting this resistance is by-passed applying full battery voltage to ignition coil. In addition to the 2 basic circuits there have been 3 other circuits added, they are the pickup circuit, control unit feed circuit, and auxiliary ballast resistor circuit.

NOTE: If vehicle is equipped with the Electronic Lean Burn System, also see CHRYSLER CORP. ELECTRONIC LEAN BURN SYSTEM article in this section.
Fig 1: Electronic Ignition Wiring Diagram
G09321056Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC