Strip the end of the positive wire from the ignition, and connect it to the positive end of the resistor. From the other terminal on the resistor a wire goes to the positive on the coil. Make sure to attach securely to the connecting terminal, by wrapping the wire around the post and tightening with a screwdriver.
Does my coil need a ballast resistor?
And while ignition coil life may be compromised without a resistor, the additional secondary voltage (at the spark plug) is increased which generally improves power. So does your application require a ballast resistor? Quite simply, if your distributor has breaker points the answer is yes; if not, the answer is no.
What does a ballast resistor do in an ignition system?
Generally, an ignition ballast resistor is placed between the primary source of the ignition coil and coil stud. It reduces the failure risk of the ignition coil. When the starter motor cranks the engine, the ignition ballast resistor helps to reduce the coil voltage and coil current.
Where do you put a ballast resistor?
Note: Ballast resistors are usually located bolted to the firewall if your distributor and/or coil is at the rear of the engine. If your distributor is located near the front or side of the engine in the case of an inline-4 cylinder, then it’s probably right near the ignition coil or distributor.
Do you need a resistor with a 12 volt coil?
Many 12 volt coils have a resister included in them. some do not and thats when you run into trouble. The advantage is that with a twelve volt battery the spark or current to the coil is always at it’s consistant level and not reduced when turning the engine over with a six volt battery.
How do you tell if a coil needs a resistor?
To test your ballast resistor you need an ohm meter or multimeter set to ohms. Remove the connectors from both sides of the resistor. The ohms should read between 1.8 and 5 ohms. You should be getting 9 volts to the positive side of the coil.
Can a ballast resistor cause no spark?
Yes, a blown ballast can bugger up the spark, what kind of distributor are you using.
Can I bypass ballast resistor?
Yes, unplug both connectors from the ballast and put your jumper between either of the blue terminals and the terminal for the brown wires. Me personally, I would cut the resistor connectors off and just solder the wires together.
Do I need a ballast resistor with Pertronix?
Pertronix says you must use a “points type” coil. If the coil required a ballast resistor when it was used with points, then you must still use the resistor. If it didn’t, then no resistor is necessary.
What happens if you have a bad ballast resistor?
If your ballast resistor is bad, your vehicle will not run and you will have to have it towed to the mechanic’s shop. By using the professionals at YourMechanic, you will be able to cut down on towing costs because they make house calls.
What causes a ballast resistor to fail?
The resistance through the ballast resistor varies with current flow which varies with engine rpm. This naturally causes the resistor to expand and contract from heat. That’s why they eventually fail.
Do you need a ballast resistor with an electronic ignition distributor?
The electronic ignition systems don’t use breaker points, so they don’t need a ballast Resistor to control the pickup coil.
Which circuit the ballast resistor is used?
Ballasts can also be used simply to limit the current in an ordinary, positive-resistance circuit. Prior to the advent of solid-state ignition, automobile ignition systems commonly included a ballast resistor to regulate the voltage applied to the ignition system.
Do I need a ballast resistor with MSD ignition?
Late-model electronic ignitions or an MSD Ignition do not require the ballast. If you are looking to upgrade your stock coil, or want to compliment the performance of your MSD Blaster Ignition, MSD 5, 6, or 7, the Blaster Coil line is the right choice. Our Blaster Coils are designed for improved spark output!
