I think it’s the Ballast resistor?
- Thread starter HWYCRZR
- Start date
@halifaxhops is the winner. New points and condenser. Am going on a longer test drive to verify.
Good test run with no issues.
My synopsis.
I believe my ballast resistor may have been the first link in the intermittent chain. I did run it about 80 miles with it being erratic and found my BR to be broken. Cause or unintended casualty?
Did the erratic resistance or voltage in the 80 miles put undue load on my condenser and points causing my condenser to fry?
I am not sure of the spring tension on the points I had in there (circa 2007, 3,000 miles.) Seems pretty strong hot or cold.
It is highly likely that the condenser was the secondary issue after the BR.
I like to change points and condensers in sets. I will heat up the old condenser and see if I find anything. Otherwise I am calling it fixed.
My synopsis.
I believe my ballast resistor may have been the first link in the intermittent chain. I did run it about 80 miles with it being erratic and found my BR to be broken. Cause or unintended casualty?
Did the erratic resistance or voltage in the 80 miles put undue load on my condenser and points causing my condenser to fry?
I am not sure of the spring tension on the points I had in there (circa 2007, 3,000 miles.) Seems pretty strong hot or cold.
It is highly likely that the condenser was the secondary issue after the BR.
I like to change points and condensers in sets. I will heat up the old condenser and see if I find anything. Otherwise I am calling it fixed.
Last edited:
mr. fix it
Old Man with a Hat
Thanks for the update
Just fyi if the condenser shorts out it will take out the ballast resistor also in time.
It has been a while since we had a good troubleshooting thread.
As I am starting to get a lot of help, I am going to plot out my course of action.
Starting easy and non invasive.
1. reinstall coil that I was originally running when this started. (My old original did not fix the problem)
2. Bypass my key switch to see if I can rule the switch out. ( easy step) @413
3. If still an issue, heat cycle my points and condenser. per @halifaxhops
They have a How to thread on FABO they need it here also this I posted up there.
Great How to Diagnose Basic Ignitions
mr. fix it
Old Man with a Hat
mr. fix it
Old Man with a Hat
Hi HH.
I can't personally say I have ever seen this but i have seen people leaving the ignition in the run position and not start the engine.
It can & usually leads to prematurely failed welded points & condensers but not a ballast resistor...
Can you add to this for clarification sake?
3175375
Senior Member
I don’t understand how someone could screw up manufacturing something so simple.
It’s a frickin’ wire wound resistor!
It will weld the points together, or should I say pit/arc them. Puts a load on the condenser by constanly discharging it in a way. Come to think of it I cant remember one burning the ballast out.
LOL I would think that's a mistake, pretty funny. Did not catch that one. Maybe dist not seated?
mr. fix it
Old Man with a Hat
I hope it's a mistake.
It has one for no seal on the distributor shaft housing below.
commando1
Old Man with a Hat
Man, another ballast resistor thread turned into a **** show... 
You need to understand that this resistor that failed was installed in the mid ‘80’s about 50k miles ago. It was in a plastic bag in a box of parts for 12 years and moved 3 times. Plus the Terminal tangs were kind of loose. I probably started the breakage during all the handling.
3175375
Senior Member
Ok
Maybe mis-handing caused it.
Highly likely. It seem the wire is wrapped around a ceramic cloth covered core. So likely brittle. I first noticed some problem soon after some rumble strips. And then I fiddled with it. And then fiddled again likely making it worse.
Any way it is fixed with new BR and condenser and points.
I need to get my oscilloscope diagnostic tester back together. It would have been a much quicker and definite troubleshooting process.
Hard to beat a scope that's for sure.
ALRUI
Active Member
I always carry a spar BR & condensor in the glove box. Does anyone make decent replacement parts for any vintage vehicle these days? I'm thinking the answer is a resounding NO! Pretty sad really.
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