To add a wrinkle to the module, the car had an MSD 8778 aftermarket module. The OEM was a direct direct match except one of the 3 harnasses had 3 pins instead of 2. We opined at the parts store that the 3rd pin was a ground that could be ignored. I cut that harnass off the new module and off the msd, and spliced the msd harnass on the new module so I didn't have to cut or tamper with the wiring in the car. I abandoned the wire that had been going to the third pin.
The car had been running fine until recently so there is no suspicion that whoever installed the MSD module caused this problem.
There were 2 modules for the 79 continental, a 2 harnass that was post febuary 79 and a 3 harnass that was pre febuary 79. My door sticker says febuary 79 without an exact day. But since the MSD had 3 harnasses I assue the pre febuary 3 harnass was correct for the car.
I could toss in a new distributer myself or pull the module and get it tested. But if you guys think my wiring is probably bungled I'd probably give in and take the car to an auto electric place.
