In simple terms, the ballast resistor in a Mopar
limits the amperage, or current flow, through the coil while the engine is running
, thereby extending the life of the coil and breaker points of the distributor.
What happens when a ballast resistor goes bad?
If your ballast resistor is bad,
your vehicle will not run and you will have to have it towed to the mechanic’s shop
. … The biggest sign your ballast resistor is bad is your vehicle will start, but immediately stop as soon as you let go of the key.
Why do ignition coils need ballast resistor?
A Ballast Resistor is an electrical device that
reduces voltage to the coil so
that more energy is available for the spark plugs during starting. Why would a Ballast Resistor be fitted in a car? … To counteract this distribution of energy, ignition systems were changed to use a 9v coil instead of a 12v coil.
What is the role of a ballast resistor in the battery ignition coil?
Ballast Resistor: The ballast resistor is made of iron wire connected with the primary winding between the ignition switch and ignition coil. … It
interrupts the current flowing through the primary circuit to induce a high voltage in the secondary coil
which generates the spark across the electrodes of a spark plug.
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?
If a 6 volt ignition system is converted to 12 volts and a Delco style 12 volt coil with an internal resistor is installed as part of the conversion,
no external resistors are required
. The 12 volt battery must be connected so the negative (-) battery terminal is connected to ground.
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.
What are the signs of a bad ballast?
- Flickering. …
- Buzzing. …
- Delayed start. …
- Low output. …
- Inconsistent lighting levels. …
- Switch to an electronic ballast, keep lamp. …
- Switch to an electronic ballast, switch to a T8 fluorescent.
Can I bypass ballast resistor?
The duty of the ballast resistor is to limit voltage to the ignition coil. … A quick and easy way to diagnose ballast resistor failure is to bypass it by
running a temporary jumper wire from the battery to the coil
.
What is the purpose of a resistor on a coil?
In simple terms, the ballast resistor in a Mopar
limits the amperage, or current flow, through the coil while the engine is running
, thereby extending the life of the coil and breaker points of the distributor.
What is the function of an ignition coil?
All ignition systems for modern petrol engines use ignition coils for the same basic function:
to create the high voltage required to produce a spark at the spark plug.
What is the advantage of having an electronic ignition system?
Advantages of Electronic Ignition System:
It has fewer moving parts. Low maintenance required
. Less emission generates. Efficiency is good.
Can you bypass a resistor?
A wire in the left circuit is shorting the 100Ω resistor.
All current will bypass the resistor
and travel through the short. The voltage across the 100Ω resistor is going to be zero.
How many ohms should a ballast resistor have?
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.
How do you wire a ballast resistor?
- Step 1: Determine if Ballast Resistor Is Needed. …
- Step 2: Locate Ballast Resistor along Firewall. …
- Step 3: Drill Holes for Securing Resistor. …
- Step 4: Install Ballast Resistor. …
- Step 5: Connect Wires to Positive.
