Sometimes, they'll have a coating that has to burn
off, I've had quite a few ballast resistors that smoked when first installed. As
long as it's not a 4 alarm fire, ball of smoke, I'd just use it, but always keep
a spare, maybe two, in the glove box!!
I've used the cheapies as well, but I hate that
long self tapping screw they use. Once you use that, it's a lot harder to
replace with an original type with the steel strap, because the large screw has
augered out the original factory tapped hole. It would be wonderful to know a
source for the original steel strapped type ballast resistor. In fact, when I've
changed these in an emergency, I just plug them in and let them hang loose, it
doesn't have to be grounded, so no need to tear up your original firewall
mounting holes.
Phil
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