Ballast Resistor
#2908183
04/08/21 09:14 PM
04/08/21 09:14 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356 Kentucky
dfsmopars
OP
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‘85 truck. 318. Friend’s truck. Will not start after running a little bit. Ballast resistor is real hot. Resistor looks new. Can a door prong resistor be used in order to trouble shoot?
‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring ‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: Andrewh]
#2908203
04/08/21 09:46 PM
04/08/21 09:46 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356 Kentucky
dfsmopars
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It’s getting super hot. Quickly. Plenty of fuel. Spark to and from distributor. New MSD Blaster coil. After truck sits for a little while it starts.
‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring ‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: dfsmopars]
#2908229
04/08/21 11:29 PM
04/08/21 11:29 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,712 Moved to N.E. Tennessee
GomangoCuda
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master
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Moved to N.E. Tennessee
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‘85 truck. 318. Friend’s truck. Will not start after running a little bit. Ballast resistor is real hot. Resistor looks new. Can a door prong resistor be used in order to trouble shoot? You lost me at "door prong resistor ".
Last edited by GomangoCuda; 04/08/21 11:31 PM.
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: GomangoCuda]
#2908304
04/09/21 05:18 AM
04/09/21 05:18 AM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356 Kentucky
dfsmopars
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‘85 truck. 318. Friend’s truck. Will not start after running a little bit. Ballast resistor is real hot. Resistor looks new. Can a door prong resistor be used in order to trouble shoot? You lost me at "door prong resistor ". Yea I can see that. Four prong.
‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring ‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: dragon slayer]
#2908429
04/09/21 02:40 PM
04/09/21 02:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,712 Moved to N.E. Tennessee
GomangoCuda
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
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Moved to N.E. Tennessee
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What is the resistance on the ballast? So you added new coil and ballast get real hot. That means excessive current and possibly coil over heating. Need to check the wiring, and make sure the resistor meets the coil spec. Exactly . What ignition ecu, what coil and what resistor? They are designed to work together and you may have disrupted the combination with the Blaster coil. Different coils can have very different primary resistance. What works best on a CD ignition is probably very wrong on an Inductive ignition. If the total resistance of the coil and ballast resistor is too low the ECU life may suffer. If the ballast resistance is too low for the coil then coil life could suffer. If the total resistance of the coil and ballast is too high then spark strength will suffer. If everything works together they will have a very long life. Things tend to go sideways If you upset that ballance by changing a part to something inappropriate.
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: Andrewh]
#2908439
04/09/21 03:17 PM
04/09/21 03:17 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,393 Highland, MI.
Sunroofcuda
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Highland, MI.
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ballast is bypassed during start. so if it was the ballast you would expect it to start then die when you let off the key. Not necessarily true. I had a ballast resistor go bad years ago on a '71 Charger & it would start & run just fine, then just cut-out at very inconsistent intervals. OP, start it & then get out & wiggle the wires connecting to the BR - if it sparks & shuts off, then it's the BR.
No Man With A Good Car Needs To Be Justified
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: Sunroofcuda]
#2908441
04/09/21 03:50 PM
04/09/21 03:50 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493 Granite Bay CA
Kern Dog
Striving for excellence
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Striving for excellence
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Granite Bay CA
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ballast is bypassed during start. so if it was the ballast you would expect it to start then die when you let off the key. Not necessarily true. I had a ballast resistor go bad years ago on a '71 Charger & it would start & run just fine, then just cut-out at very inconsistent intervals. OP, start it & then get out & wiggle the wires connecting to the BR - if it sparks & shuts off, then it's the BR. I had one break!
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: NITROUSN]
#2908453
04/09/21 04:27 PM
04/09/21 04:27 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356 Kentucky
dfsmopars
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It’s getting super hot. Quickly. Plenty of fuel. Spark to and from distributor. New MSD Blaster coil. After truck sits for a little while it starts. Does it have spark when it will not start??? It does have spark when it will not start.
‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring ‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: dfsmopars]
#2908517
04/09/21 08:52 PM
04/09/21 08:52 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,408 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
NITROUSN
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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Posts: 18,408
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It’s getting super hot. Quickly. Plenty of fuel. Spark to and from distributor. New MSD Blaster coil. After truck sits for a little while it starts. Does it have spark when it will not start??? It does have spark when it will not start. So if there is spark to the plugs you are either starved of fuel or flooded.
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: Sunroofcuda]
#2908549
04/09/21 10:49 PM
04/09/21 10:49 PM
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,227 nowhere
Sniper
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master
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nowhere
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ballast is bypassed during start. so if it was the ballast you would expect it to start then die when you let off the key. Not necessarily true. I had a ballast resistor go bad years ago on a '71 Charger & it would start & run just fine, then just cut-out at very inconsistent intervals. OP, start it & then get out & wiggle the wires connecting to the BR - if it sparks & shuts off, then it's the BR. The point was that the ballast is not used during start. So if it won;t start it's probably not the ballast. OP later does say that there is spark when it won't start so the issue probably isn't ignition related, unless the timing is way off. Jumped timing chain?
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: Sniper]
#2908565
04/09/21 11:27 PM
04/09/21 11:27 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356 Kentucky
dfsmopars
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OP
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Kentucky
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I think I got it a little closer tonight. I swapped out the coil with one with higher resistance. About where I would expect it around 1.5-2.0 ohms. Then the timing that was at about 5 degrees BTDC, I moved it to about 3-4 degrees ATDC. Then I noticed the starter motor was dragging just a tad after attempts to start the engine. I put a charger on the battery and it helped some. I at least could sort of repeat the failure and the ignition. It still has its moments where it does not want to start. So the next question I have is this- can the starter become weaker as it warms up? I can pour a cap full of fuel in the carb and it does not help the starting. I don’t think it is flooding because it is a 2V carb that I took off the shelf and it ran well when I put it on there. There is plenty of bad wiring under the hood. Some wiring has lost its insulation. So that stuff has to be cleaned up as well. About the BR, should I be able to hold it in my hand while the truck is running without feeling like I’m going to get burned. I think there are numerous issues working in according. It’s not there but I sa things tonight that encourages me that it will get there. Once it starts it is slick, smooth and responsive.
‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring ‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: dragon slayer]
#2908640
04/10/21 09:03 AM
04/10/21 09:03 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,383 Az
69hemibeep
pro stock
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pro stock
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A hot coil will mimic vaporlock. Shut it down after a drive and it won't start, let it cool and away you go again.
Last edited by 69hemibeep; 04/10/21 09:04 AM.
1969 Hemi Roadrunner 2nd owner
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: dfsmopars]
#2908709
04/10/21 11:41 AM
04/10/21 11:41 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,393 Highland, MI.
Sunroofcuda
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master
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Highland, MI.
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Install a $3.00 ballast resistor & see if the problem solved. If not, you have an extra BR.
When mine went bad in my 71 Hemi Charger, I was driving it & it just quit. I pulled over on the shoulder & it started right back up, so I continued driving. About another 2 miles it died again, repeated the same scenario until I got to my buddies' house & there it sat for 2 weeks. It was getting fuel, & getting spark when we tested - WTH? So I started replacing inexpensive parts: coil, cap & rotor, elect. ign. module (I had extras), etc. It would always start & run, but then would cut-out. I finally decided to make the trek back to my place about 25 miles away & it died a few times on the way, but I made it. I was about to take it to an auto electric place & tried fiddling with it one last evening & started it & then observed underhood while it was running - saw a spark at the BR & it promptly died. I started it back up as usual, got out & wiggled one of the wires to it & it sparked again & died. I had an extra (old used) BR in my stash & installed it - problem solved. My story............
No Man With A Good Car Needs To Be Justified
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: 440_Offroader]
#2908799
04/10/21 06:00 PM
04/10/21 06:00 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356 Kentucky
dfsmopars
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Timing should be about 18* btdc with the vacuum advance disconnected. To much advance will make it turn over very slowly. You don't want your timing at 3-4 degrees ATDC. Ok back up on the timing. Set to 18 degrees advanced. It runs cooler and starts better. Someone earlier said something about the starter and battery. One or both are weak I think. If it does not want to start now I throw the charger on it at 50 amps it will start. Even at a15 amp sometimes it won’t start. I think there has been a combination of things contributing and most likely the BR had nothing to do with it. I have inherited some people’s hacked up work that has been going on for several owners probably. I think we’re making progress.
‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring ‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: Sunroofcuda]
#2908823
04/10/21 07:26 PM
04/10/21 07:26 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,142 Canada -- Posts: 4034 -Registe...
5thAve
Doesn't care what this says anyway
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Doesn't care what this says anyway
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,142
Canada -- Posts: 4034 -Registe...
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Install a $3.00 ballast resistor & see if the problem solved. If not, you have an extra BR.
When mine went bad in my 71 Hemi Charger, I was driving it & it just quit. I pulled over on the shoulder & it started right back up, so I continued driving. About another 2 miles it died again, repeated the same scenario until I got to my buddies' house & there it sat for 2 weeks. It was getting fuel, & getting spark when we tested - WTH? So I started replacing inexpensive parts: coil, cap & rotor, elect. ign. module (I had extras), etc. It would always start & run, but then would cut-out. I finally decided to make the trek back to my place about 25 miles away & it died a few times on the way, but I made it. I was about to take it to an auto electric place & tried fiddling with it one last evening & started it & then observed underhood while it was running - saw a spark at the BR & it promptly died. I started it back up as usual, got out & wiggled one of the wires to it & it sparked again & died. I had an extra (old used) BR in my stash & installed it - problem solved. My story............ A bad ballast resistor will do that but it won't cause a no start issue so there's still something else going on.
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: dfsmopars]
#2908827
04/10/21 07:37 PM
04/10/21 07:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,142 Canada -- Posts: 4034 -Registe...
5thAve
Doesn't care what this says anyway
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Doesn't care what this says anyway
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,142
Canada -- Posts: 4034 -Registe...
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Timing should be about 18* btdc with the vacuum advance disconnected. To much advance will make it turn over very slowly. You don't want your timing at 3-4 degrees ATDC. Ok back up on the timing. Set to 18 degrees advanced. It runs cooler and starts better. Someone earlier said something about the starter and battery. One or both are weak I think. If it does not want to start now I throw the charger on it at 50 amps it will start. Even at a15 amp sometimes it won’t start. I think there has been a combination of things contributing and most likely the BR had nothing to do with it. I have inherited some people’s hacked up work that has been going on for several owners probably. I think we’re making progress. Did you try a new battery? You should check both that and the alternator or just try a fully charged battery you know is good to try and see if that makes a difference. If it has a battery or alternator problem you'll be chasing problems down forever for no reason.
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: dfsmopars]
#2908852
04/10/21 09:31 PM
04/10/21 09:31 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356 Kentucky
dfsmopars
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BTW. FYI. LOL. When it was given to me it was sick and weak. Today I did a one wheel burn out with it. Kind of a reward for messing with this thing. Threw this in to lighten the mood. This week I’ll dive deeper into the battery, alternator and starter. I’m doing this for a good friend and trying to make the repairs without just throwing money at it. I’ll post updates.
‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring ‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: Kern Dog]
#2909018
04/11/21 11:22 AM
04/11/21 11:22 AM
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Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 149 PINE VALLEY
Ray S
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member
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ballast is bypassed during start. so if it was the ballast you would expect it to start then die when you let off the key. Not necessarily true. I had a ballast resistor go bad years ago on a '71 Charger & it would start & run just fine, then just cut-out at very inconsistent intervals. OP, start it & then get out & wiggle the wires connecting to the BR - if it sparks & shuts off, then it's the BR. I had one break! Mine has the same cracked core, but the coils are OK and ~.7Ohms I don't use it for ignition as I have HEI now.
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: dfsmopars]
#2909019
04/11/21 11:24 AM
04/11/21 11:24 AM
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Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 149 PINE VALLEY
Ray S
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member
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PINE VALLEY
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BTW. FYI. LOL. When it was given to me it was sick and weak. Today I did a one wheel burn out with it. Kind of a reward for messing with this thing. Threw this in to lighten the mood. This week I’ll dive deeper into the battery, alternator and starter. I’m doing this for a good friend and trying to make the repairs without just throwing money at it. I’ll post updates. What is the system V when off, and when running? Does the Alt gauge move?
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: Ray S]
#2909591
04/12/21 08:43 PM
04/12/21 08:43 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356 Kentucky
dfsmopars
OP
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OP
top fuel
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Posts: 2,356
Kentucky
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BTW. FYI. LOL. When it was given to me it was sick and weak. Today I did a one wheel burn out with it. Kind of a reward for messing with this thing. Threw this in to lighten the mood. This week I’ll dive deeper into the battery, alternator and starter. I’m doing this for a good friend and trying to make the repairs without just throwing money at it. I’ll post updates. What is the system V when off, and when running? Does the Alt gauge move? The gauge moves violently. I found an after market volt gauge under the seat. Apparently someone has been chasing the problem. Had the alternator tested today and it is fine. The battery is good. The next step is the starter. However, I will say with some of the moves discussed here the starting problem is getting better. I think the MSD coil and the timing being too far advanced has the biggest effect.
‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring ‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: dfsmopars]
#2912122
04/19/21 09:24 PM
04/19/21 09:24 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356 Kentucky
dfsmopars
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All tuned up and running great. Replaced coil, wires, plugs and adjusted timing. When it gets hot it still will not start but when it does not start the starter drags. The battery and alternator are good. So next step is too replace the starter. Replaced valve seals and the inside of the engine was surprisingly clean.
After the starter is done I may have to post in the truck section because the 4x4 is not working. Plenty of fluid in the transfer case. Nothing obvious underneath. Right now don’t know if it is an electrical or vacuum problem.
‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring ‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500
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Re: Ballast Resistor
[Re: dfsmopars]
#2918958
05/05/21 05:05 PM
05/05/21 05:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 357 The Garden State
LimelightCuda
enthusiast
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enthusiast
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Posts: 357
The Garden State
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Before changing the starter I would take a good look at the battery cables and other wires associated with the starting system. Make sure all connections are tight and clean. One time I had a problem with my starter turning slowly and it turned out the battery cable connections were corroded. I cleaned them real good and that solved the problem.
Another time I had a problem where the positive battery cable got too close to the exhaust and some of the insulation melted as well as the wire was exposed to too much heat therefore creating extra resistance.
Last edited by LimelightCuda; 05/05/21 05:08 PM.
Phil
1970 Barracuda Gran Coupe 1970 A66 Challenger Convertible
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