all I have an 82 Grand Marquis that I am wanting to turn into a econo/hobby stock race car. it has the duraspark II with the Yellow grommet/strain relief. It is the same as the blue, but has two extra wires coming out of it. Can I just leave these unplugged, and what is the difference on this "dual mode" yellow grommet ignition module. Any help is appreciated

 

We did determine your car had a computer correct? Here's your old post.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...-in-for-a.html

Just to make double sure, go out and look at the distributor. If it has no vacuum line going to it, then it also has no advance weights in it either. All this means the timing is controlled by the computer, and this info is sent on these extra wires on the module. You can't change anything with this engine unless you ditch the complete dist, module, and carb.

 

the dist. has vacuum advance on it, which led me to believe it was a duraspark II. I did a ton of research on it, and found that the Yellow Grommet is a dual mode module for the duraspark II, which is for high altitude, or emissions. It does have a computer, but from what I can find it is for sensors/dummy lights, there isn't really much to it. I don't think this system is an EEC4 system.

I am gonna try and wire it up today using this:

http://webpages.charter.net/1bad6t/duraspark.html

I also found a site that you can customize the ignition module with a GM HEI and found it interesting which is here:

http://bbs.off-road.com/ubbthreads/s...fpart/all/vc/1

this is all i have on the color coded modules:
Red - Duraspark I (California cars 1977, California 302 V8 only, 1978-1979)
higher output, considered the module to use back in the '70s and '80s. Does
not employ a balast resistor. Senses current flow through the coil & adjusts
dwell for maximum spark intensity.
Blue - Duraspark II (49 state 1977, 50 state 1978 and later)
Yellow - Duraspark II with "dual mode" (except 1981)
White - Duraspark II with "cranking retard"
Brown - Duraspark III and other EEC controlled systems
Yellow - universal ignition module (1981)
Green - early solid state ignition (pre-1977) similar to Duraspark II, but
never popular for retrofitting, probably because the Duraspark I was
superior.

Just though I would post here and see if anyone has ran into the problem.


The Yellow Strain Relief indicates it is still DURASPARK II but the module is called Dual Mode. It has three connectors instead of two.The third connector went to a vacuum switch that modulates timing advance as to how the engine was built for emissions. It is either for a Hi-Altitude Engine or a Fuel Economy Engine (with lean carburetor).

 

If you decide to get a new distributor, consider our custom curved Duraspark Distributor built with our new Full Length Oil Impregnated Bronze Bushing. The full length bushing improves timing stability and spark scatter. If stock appearance is not an issue, take a look at our one piece D.U.I. Distributor. Whether you choose the Duraspark or the D.U.I., we curve each on a distributor machine based on your engine combination. Please see them at:

http://www.performancedistributors.c...dduraspark.htm

 

Why are you interested in re-wiring the ignition? Do you have a problem and it won't run?

 

It was running. Turing it into a hobby stock circle track car. I figured it was great for the entry level class. I am wanting to eliminate all of the wiring, and couldn't decide it it was duraspark II or EEC controlled becuase I couldn't find much on the "yellow" grommet or strain relief ignition module. What confused me was the Micro Computer Controller that was under the hood as well.

*update* after searching the net for hours on end, I got everything rewired with just a toggle for the ignition system, and a push button for the starter.

Thanks to all.

 

I also got a 302/aod engine from a 82 Grand Marquis, The yellow grommet modual failed and I just put in the blue one and it ran fine. The MCU(not any of the EEC systems yet) just controls the 2700VV carb mixture and smog/egr and retards timeing(3rd connector). Once I got it running the thing sure had alot of power with the MCU not controlling timeing but still using the O2 sensor and mixture control. In time I'll be reverse engineering the MCU as I could not find anything about it!!!

 

ijaraptor , on your 82 marquis, does it have the cruse control switches on the steering wheel? if so could you ohm out the three wires. I pulled the cruse control and will be putting it in my 84 F250 4x4. but the steering wheel was busted up and missing the switches.
Eddie

 

man,

just a bit too late. It did have the cruise control, but has since headed the the dumpster...along with all the power window switches/motors and everything else off of the car that isn't needed. Just missed me by a few days....I will look, I have one more of these cars for parts, and I will check and see if it has cruise, and if so you can have it.

Thanks,
Isaac

 

Now I've seen everything. The RED module was the BIGGEST piece of crap that was ever made. They were a POS from the beginning. No one in their right mind would use one, then or now.


In 1978, the modules were failing left and right. 1000's of cars and trucks all across CA were sitting on dealers service lots, unfixed. Why do you ask? Because the modules were defective and Ford didn't have any available. They were D99 = back ordered Detroit. In order to try and get the cars off the lots and back to the customers, every one that could be found in junkyards was purchased and installed on customers cars. It took Ford months to finally get the new modules to the dealers. Guess what? About 3/4's of them were defective. Of all the modules used in the 1970's, guess which one today fails 10 times more than others? You guessed it, the RED one D7AZ-12A199-A.


Go ahead and use one, if you dare.

 

Don't worry about the cruse switches, I'm making a junkyard run shortly and I'll ohm them out there. Ed