Greetings,
I just recieved a rebuilt distributor for my 4.5 and there is an "extra" black wire that I do not know where to hook up. It is black, and connected to the plastic feedthrough on the distributor.

This distributor is slightly different from the one we removed, but fits...I'm a bit concerned.

There is also a condensor inside, should I disconnect this so as not to burn up the points? Previous posts say yes but my mechanic is no expert on these cars, and resists much of my guidance.

Anyway, help with that extra wire would be great.

Jim

Is it black/white striped and a few feet long? Could be the distributor pigtail ground that connects to negative post on the coil.

Could you post a picture of the distributor? What is the black wire attached to?

__________________
Bill Reimels
Now down to one:
1972 300SE 3.5 W109 (Euro delivery)

Here is a picture from the rebuilder site,
http://www.********.com/ref/Cardone/Detail.html?31304.jpg

The black wire in the picture is wrapped up with the green one, the green one connects down on the side of the radiator to a transistor mounted on a big heat sink.

It is not black and white striped, like the one on the previous points. The new points do not have the black and white striped wire. This is one thing that worried me that it was not the right part, but it fits and such.

I would bet that black wire goes to the ground side of the coil, as DieselDog suggests.

I also have a Petronix electronic ignition that was in the other dist. Didn't fix my problem at the time, but might be nice to put in this one at some point.

Thanks for the help.

Jim

There should only be one green wire running from the points to the transistor box. The condensor wire (and condensor) should be removed, as should the second black wire.

__________________
Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k

It seems that the green wire was not there, I assumed it would be but after talking with my mechanic, who the distributor was shipped to, there was only the black. Glad I didn't chop it.

This wire is of the correct length to reach down to the transitor, should I tie it onto the top or the side of the transitor?

Also, the car has yet to fire up.

I'm still concerned, the points in this one do not have the black and white striped wire that lead back to mystery wire. As long as I can set the gap it should work though, points are just an intermittent connection/switch to fire the charging circuit right? The condensor is still hooked up, the car should still start with it in there, it is just detrimental to long term health of the points if I read correctly.

Thanks for everybodies help. This problem has gone on over a year now and I
really hope I'm close to resolving it with the new distributor.

Jim