Re: IML: 66LeBaron-turn the key...IT's ALIVE!

[<dansgarage@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Chris...and thanks for the reply. I don't understand what was going on (or NOT going on) with the old ballast but when I turned the key I got NOTHING! ..the starter didn't even 'click' or 'whine' or anything! But....I'm VERY glad I got it working again before replacing some expensive items while troubleshooting!!!
Thanks again!!
Dan Melnik


---- Chris Strohmeyer <chrisstroh@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: 

=============
I've had a little experience on the ballast.  The ballast must have been 
"open" or in other words burned in two.  The ballast cuts the voltage to the 
coil only while the car is RUNNING.  When you turn the key to crank and 
start the engine, the ballast is bypassed with a full 12 volts to the coil 
to make the spark hotter for ease of starting, Once you let off the starter 
the ballast resistor takes over supplying 8-10 volts to the coil and saves 
your points from burning.  So with the ballast not working the engine would 
have tried to start but wouldn't because once you let go of the starter 
there would be NO voltage going to the coil because of the faulty ballast 
resistor.

Hope this helps,

Chris
67 Imperial Convertible


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <dansgarage@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 9:46 PM
Subject: Re: IML: 66LeBaron-turn the key...IT's ALIVE!


> Hi All! Just wanted to thank everyone who offered their help and comments 
> on this problem with my 66 LeBaron!!
> Well, I finally got it fixed!!!! I spent the afternoon crawling around 
> under the dash (definitely NOT a fun experience for anyone over 
> 6ft!...gonna have some sore muscles tomorrow!) looking for the connection 
> that goes to the Ammeter....I was sure it was the gauge or the ignition 
> switch!...... Ha!.......The ignition switch and lock-cylinder needed to be 
> changed anyway as the key never did sit 'just right' in the cylinder from 
> when I got the LeBaron. I now have one more key to carry around but thats 
> OK ! Just before it started getting dark I was ready to throw in the towel 
> for the day but decided to change one more thing, just since I had gotten 
> a new one at the parts stroe and figured 'what the heck! Since i have it, 
> I may as well put it in!'...so I changed the Ballast Resistor..... and the 
> car started right up!!!! I have looked thru the wiring diagrams but still 
> don't understand how this Ballast Resistor caused the condition I was 
> experiencing.....!?
> Oh well, at least the car is running now. I still have to change the 
> POSITIVE battery cable to the starter, but that needed to be changed 
> (replaced) anyway....plus with all the messing around with that cable (on 
> and off) the past few days, the end that goes on the battery terminal has 
> gotten, shall we say, 'worse for wear'..! Anyway, thats a job for tomorrow 
> or ..?? I do know that I will DEFINITELY keep a spare Ballast Resistor in 
> the trunk from now on for each of my Imperials!!!....which, if I remember 
> right, is something that several IMl members have strongly suggested 
> anyway!!!!
> I do want to thank you all very much for your help! .....Hopefully, I can 
> now move on to meeting with Dick Benjamin and having his friend (Rich) let 
> me know what a good repaint of the LeBaron will set me back!!!
>
> I think I will be looking for a Ammeter Gauge!!! (its STILL showing in the 
> CHARGE zone and apprears to be stuck...hope its just temporary!
>
> Thanks again!
> Dan Melnik.
>
>
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