The ignition control unit in my 911 doesn't seem to be working, it's not making any noise when the key is on.

Should there be a wire on the empty spade in this picture? There is a loose wire floating around but I don't want to just plug it in and mess something up if you're not supposed to attach it there.

That would be the ground wire that is missing.

It's a 3 pin Permatune unit. They do not whine when powered up.

There is a ground wire attached to the spade terminal.

It either works or it doesn't. Supposedly not rebuildable as they are "potted".

The unit was left unattached when I drove it home, I figured that wire might have fallen off during the flopping around.

So, it doesn't make any sound?

Hopefully I can hook the loose wire onto it and it'll work. I'll need to vacuum out my carbs before try to I fire it up though.

The case is already grounded thru the bolts that attach it to the chassis, but they do have a separate ground thru the tab.

Roll the engine over with the starter and check for spark. If none, your points are closed/misconnected/dirty or the unit is dead.

Hopefully the points were changed when they switched distributors, if so they should only have about 40 miles on them.

The mechanic said he tested the unit before installing it, if it doesn't work then I should be able to get it replaced.

I'm pretty sure the non-starting issue is ignition related since it wouldn't even fire on starting fluid the last time I tried.

That red wire on the 3 pin harness better be connected to switched power or you will get nothing!

I should be able to work on it this weekend if I can manage to finish my accelerator cable install.

Or... if I get frustrated with fixing the 914 maybe I'll get it running to drive to work next week. 5 miles shouldn't be too far to drive without an external oil cooler.