4 or 5 pin icm

[67belvedere/225]

can you run a 4 pin ign controle module instead of a 5 pin , and is it better ??
anybody ever swap one and have a issue.
thanks

 

[451Mopar]

yes, 4-pin is fine. Likely both are about the same. The number of pins has no real indication of which is better.

 

[67belvedere/225]

ok thanks cause its going then

 

[MOPAR MARTY]

can you run a 4 pin ign controle module instead of a 5 pin , and is it better ??
anybody ever swap one and have a issue.
thanks

yes u can the 4mpin will workonthe 5 pin

 

[451Mopar]

The main difference between the 4 and 5 pin is they just moved the power resistor (I think 5-Ohm?) from the dual ballast resistor to inside the 4 pin box.
That was just used to create a voltage supply / reference for the circuit inside by using the resistor and a Zener Diode, which is one of the most basic ways to do that.
See link below for the circuit concept where RS would be the power resistor:
https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/283814/voltage-across-zener-diode

This is what I noticed from on old 1980'd MP Orange Box that I de-potted.
I haven't looked at the innerards of any new box, and would be supprised if they still have the descrete individual components

 

[RJRENTON]

The main difference between the 4 and 5 pin is they just moved the power resistor (I think 5-Ohm?) from the dual ballast resistor to inside the 4 pin box.
That was just used to create a voltage supply / reference for the circuit inside by using the resistor and a Zener Diode, which is one of the most basic ways to do that.
See link below for the circuit concept where RS would be the power resistor:
https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/283814/voltage-across-zener-diode

This is what I noticed from on old 1980'd MP Orange Box that I de-potted.
I haven't looked at the innerards of any new box, and would be supprised if they still have the descrete individual components

EXCELLENT WRITE UP AND EXPLANATION. Much less watts loss, as heat, with a 5 ohm section of the ballast resistor being eliminated. When the zener diode design was adapted, is when the ECU's connector changed to the four (4) pin design.
BOB RENTON