trans am 4.9 turbo distributor question

Howdy gang,
I offered to help a friend with his '80 TransAm 4.9L turbo.
We have no spark and after pulling the distributor out I see that there is a set of wires with a 4 hole plug that I've never seen before coming out the base.
Just what does that extra plug/wires do?

to test the electronic ignition when it is out we should be able to ground the distributor and hook up 12v+ to the battery marked spot on the cap and spin the shaft by hand. The test spark plugs should fire.

Anybody have a good test for checking out the electronic components?
thanks
hank