Do all ignition coils need a ballast resistor?
All cars produced with breaker-points type ignition generally had a resistor of some sort in their ignition system. 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.
Where is the ballast resistor located?
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.
Does HEI distributor need ballast resistor?
When using HEI, the distributor requires a 12 volt feed. In order to achieve this the ballast resistor or the resistance wire must be removed from the circuit and replaced with a pure 12 gauge feed wire. This means that there is no power on the “RUN” circuit when the ignition switch is in the “CRANK” mode.
What happens when your ballast resistor goes out?
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.
What does an ignition ballast resistor do?
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.
What does a 12 volt ballast resistor do?
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.
What is the difference between a ballast and non ballast coil?
A ballast coil is designed to produce the same spark output, but with only 6 to 9 volts on the input. With a non-ballast coil, the input to the coil is the same, 12 volts, whether the engine is running, or being cranked by the starter motor.
What size ballast resistor do I need for this coil?
If , OTOH , you have a ceramic rectangular shaped thing on the coil , that’s a ballast resistor and you’ll need the 1.6 Ohm coil . The Ballast resistor is a standard NON GM part , Chryslers , Dodges etc. used them so your FLAPS will have one .
What is a ballast resistor in a car?
A ballast resistor is a device in your vehicle that limits the amount of current in an electric circuit. The ballast resistor is commonly found in older vehicles, because they did not have the benefit of circuit boards found in most of today’s vehicles.
What causes a ballast resistor to go bad?
The ballast resistor is commonly found in older vehicles, because they did not have the benefit of circuit boards found in most of today’s vehicles. Over time, the ballast resistor can be damaged by normal wear and tear, so there are a few things to look for when you suspect a bad or failing ballast resistor needs servicing.
Is there a ballast resistor in the flaps?
The Ballast resistor is a standard NON GM part , Chryslers , Dodges etc. used them so your FLAPS will have one . TEST before changing parts ! . I hope all this is helpful & not too confuddling .