No spark at coil.
If you are measuring the coil voltage, with ballast connected up, and the key "in run" that is normal. You are seeing the drop through the ballast.
Two checks you need to make
Turn key to "run" engine off. clip your voltmeter to the "key side" of the ballast and compare that to battery. You should be within 3 tenths of a volt or better
Clip voltmeter to coil + and crank engine using the key. You should be within 3-4 tenths of a volt of battery
Easy way to measure this voltage drop directly is to clip the other meter lead NOT to ground, but rather, the battery positive post. This will directly show the drop
Try removing/ installing the distributor, ECU, and resistor connectors several times, to "scrub" them clean, and to "feel" for tightness
CHECK the reluctor gap in the distributor. Hook your meter to the two dist. terminals with your meter on low AC volts, and crank the engine. You should get about 1V AC if not replace the pickup coil and reluctor. Inspect them for rust/ debri/ "strike" damage.
You say you had the resistor upside down. The diagram below gives the correct orientation. NOTICE the "U" shaped opening at one end of the resistor, which orients it correctly
Be aware that a 5 pin ECU MUST have a 4 pin resistor, but
a 4 pin ECU can use EITHER 2 or 4 pin resistor -- 1/2 is just not used
You cannot ID a box by the number of pins. Some 4 pin boxes have a dummy 5th pin. YOu have check continuity to tell the difference.
IF possible use a 4 pin box --better design.
(From "MyMopar")
If you are measuring the coil voltage, with ballast connected up, and the key "in run" that is normal. You are seeing the drop through the ballast.
Two checks you need to make
Turn key to "run" engine off. clip your voltmeter to the "key side" of the ballast and compare that to battery. You should be within 3 tenths of a volt or better
Clip voltmeter to coil + and crank engine using the key. You should be within 3-4 tenths of a volt of battery
Easy way to measure this voltage drop directly is to clip the other meter lead NOT to ground, but rather, the battery positive post. This will directly show the drop
Try removing/ installing the distributor, ECU, and resistor connectors several times, to "scrub" them clean, and to "feel" for tightness
CHECK the reluctor gap in the distributor. Hook your meter to the two dist. terminals with your meter on low AC volts, and crank the engine. You should get about 1V AC if not replace the pickup coil and reluctor. Inspect them for rust/ debri/ "strike" damage.
You say you had the resistor upside down. The diagram below gives the correct orientation. NOTICE the "U" shaped opening at one end of the resistor, which orients it correctly
Be aware that a 5 pin ECU MUST have a 4 pin resistor, but
a 4 pin ECU can use EITHER 2 or 4 pin resistor -- 1/2 is just not used
You cannot ID a box by the number of pins. Some 4 pin boxes have a dummy 5th pin. YOu have check continuity to tell the difference.
IF possible use a 4 pin box --better design.
(From "MyMopar")