Mattax has your back on it with the diagrams.
Notice how in the ignition diagram Ign2 does not go through the ballast resistor, and Ignition does.
Ignition 2 gives the coil full 12v when cranking and the other goes through the ballast and drops the coil voltage to your 7.8 volt reading after it starts.
Howdy all. Call me crazy but I think I got it figured out. I went from a five pin ecu to a four pin and it fired right up several times, which it never did before. Now I can focus on my charging issue. Thanks to all who helped out!