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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 99 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 99 | Can someone please explain the purpose do a ballast resistor and the symptoms of a bad resistor?
Thanks, Bob | | | | | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 63 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 63 | ballast resistor is used when the truck is running to reduce the voltage at coil to extend the lifespan of the points . On cranking ballast is bypassed to increase spark to assist with cold staring, but in circuit when running. Bad resistor could reduce spark, if open circuit will not run at all no voltage to the coil. hope this helps
andrew | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | as Andrew says, the engine won't run if the resistor is 'burned out', but if the wiring is correct, a bad resistor will show up as: trucks starts fine, dies as soon as you let off the starter
Bill | | | | | Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 99 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 99 | Thanks for info. Is a ballast resistor (ceramic with wire coil) only used with mechanical points and
generators or both generators and alternators? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | the resistor is an ignition component, has nothing whatever to do with generators or alternators
Bill | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | Ballast Resistor explanation Ballast resistor - bypass during starting The need for a ballast resistor in an electronic ignition system (no points) is determined by the design of the electronics, which includes the type of coil. Check with the maker of the EI system regarding the recommended matching components (coil/ballast-resistor), especially when converting from an original points-based system to an after-market EI system. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 123 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 123 | My 1953 Chevrolet 3100 has the foot starter. How does the resistor get bypassed? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | 6 volt systems do not have the ignition resistor Joe, so bypassing it isn't an issue unless you change to 12V, in which case you can use a coil with internal resistance or change to a later 12V foot starter that has the bypass terminal
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