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#89147 12/19/2003 5:57 AM | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 24 Member | | Member Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 24 | Is the ignition resistor that goes between the ignition switch and coil supposed to get so hot you cant touch it? I had the switch in the on postion while checking out my new wiring. Smelled something hot traced it to the resistor. it was so hot you could not touch it. I have it mounted so that part of it touchs the firewall. Does it need to mounted so that air can get all around it? Have checked all the wiring and it is just how instructions call for it.
:confused:
This is in a 52 gmc converted to 12 volts. Using a wiring harness from Chevy duty. Has a 58 235 engine in it.
Thanks | | |
#89148 12/19/2003 6:37 AM | Joined: Mar 2001 Posts: 259 Member | | Member Joined: Mar 2001 Posts: 259 | Yes they do get pretty hot! It's best not to have the key on and the engine not running. I would space the resistor away from the firewall at least 1/8" so air can get all the way around it.
Joe
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#89149 12/19/2003 6:41 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 586 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 586 | No amount of air is going to cool it off. I'm
not sure what you've done wrong, but it shouldn't
get that hot. The wiring sets are usually set
up for neg. ground. GMC is positive ground,
unless you converted over. I would look at this
first. | | |
#89150 12/19/2003 3:55 PM | Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 264 Member | | Member Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 264 | Sounds like the coil is pulling more current than it should. Check the primary side resistance and compare with values in a shop manual...some older Chilton's have this info too. Or, you could just swap coils if you have a spare one laying around and see if that makes a difference. | | |
#89151 12/19/2003 8:11 PM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,384 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,384 | Seems like they get hotter when key on/engine off & points are closed rather than open when the engine stopped. Brian | | |
#89152 12/19/2003 8:31 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 384 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 384 | Hey 64. I was told you could blow a coil doing just that. Don't know personally tho. - Scott
55 1st Chev.
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#89153 12/20/2003 3:45 AM | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | If you leave the ignition turned on and the motor not running, something is going to be in trouble.
If the points are closed you'll have a steady current flow through a circuit that is designed to only have an intermitment flow.
I was always told you could burn your points this way. I don't know that its true, but a hot resistor, burned-out coil, and damaged points could all result from leaving the ignition turned off with the motor not running.
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more...
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