Actually, all North American manufacturers adopted a resistor of some sort
when they switched to 12 volts. Some Studebakers had a resistor wire
running from the ignition switch to the coil.
When the key is in the "Start" position, power is sent to the coil directly
from the ignition switch - a full 12 volts. Once the car is started and the
key put in the "On" postion, power runs through the resistor, giving about 6
volts at idle.. Which is why when your ballast resistor goes, the engine
dies when you turn the key to "On" from "Start".
During the start procedure, the resistor should show 0 volts as no power is
running through it as i8t is bypassed,.
Bill
Vancouver, BC
----- Original Message -----
From: IMP7T@xxxxxxx
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Friday, February 27, 2004 11:48 AM
Subject: IML: 63 413 ballast
I assume that Chrysler is the same set up as GM. I believe that all ignition
coils are 6 volt. Your ballast resister knocks the 12 volt to six volts
while the car is running. During cranking you have a wire that runs from the
starter circuit that goes to the coil and gives the coil 12 volts during
cranking only. This way you get full spark during cranking. I could be
wrong, but don’t think so. Anyone see a 6 volt car with a resister? Sooo!
After all this, I would say if you are questioning the resister, bypass it
for a test. Don’t let it run to long. If it starts and runs, you have a
problem in the resister. If it still does not run, something else is the
problem. You could also test the resister with a volt meter. 12 volts one
side, 6 volts the other. During crank 12 volts on both sides.
1970 Imperial
and a couple of street rods
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