Ignition Coil Resistor

And while ignition coil life may be compromised without a resistor, the additional secondary voltage (at the spark plug) is increased which generally improves power. So does your application require a ballast resistor? Quite simply, if your distributor has breaker points the answer is yes; if not, the answer is no.

What happens when a ballast resistor fails?

If the ballast resistor is not working properly, the vehicle will not start. Since it is an electrical system, it is something best left to the professionals to handle. The only way to have the vehicle up and running again is with a ballast resistor replacement.

What resistance should my ignition coil be?

The ohmic resistance of the coil is around 0.2–3.0 Ω on the primary side and around 5–20 kΩ on the secondary side. The winding ratio of primary to secondary winding is 1:100. The technical structure may vary depending on the ignition coil's area of application.

How do I know if my ignition coil has an internal resistor?

To check if there's an internal ballast resistor in your coil, there are two things you need to do: 1) remove any cover covering up your coil, and 2) check if your ballast has 3 wires coming out of it. If the ballast doesn't have the ballast resistor built inside, then there should be three wires coming out of it.

How much resistance should a 12v coil have?

You should have a resistance reading of at least 3-4.5 ohms. A bad coil will show a higher reading then 3-4.5. Next, place the red or black lead from the meter to the centre of the coil , and to either one of the terminals positive or negative. You want 9500-10000 Ohms, a little less is ok but no more.

How do you test a coil resistor?

Take one lead from your voltmeter connect it to the side coming from the ignition switch. Take the

How can you tell if a ballast resistor is bad?

Run like normal but you do not want to do this for more than a few seconds. As obviously like i said

How do I know if my ballast resistor is good?

To test your ballast resistor you need an ohm meter or multimeter set to ohms. Remove the connectors from both sides of the resistor. The ohms should read between 1.8 and 5 ohms. You should be getting 9 volts to the positive side of the coil.

What does a ballast resistor do in a car?

A Ballast Resistor is an electrical device that reduces voltage to the coil so that more energy is available for the spark plugs during starting.

How do you check coil resistance with a multimeter?

Turn your multimeter dial to the lowest ohms setting, usually 20 or 200. Place the two probes on the atomizer your coil is in, one probe on the positive pin (the one in the middle of the 510 connection), and the other on the outside 510 threading, to get the total resistance of the coil in the atomizer.

What does a higher resistance coil mean?

The greater the resistance (or number on your coil) the less charge that can pass through. The equation used to explain it is: I = V / R. Where 'I' represents current, 'V' is voltage and 'R' is resistance, you can see when the voltage is higher, and the resistance (ohms) is lower, so the current will be stronger.

Can you test an ignition coil with a multimeter?

Ignition coils have two circuits that require checking; primary and secondary circuits. Connect the multimeter to the negative and positive terminals of the ignition coil to get a primary circuit reading. If the multimeter shows a reading of 0 ohms, the ignition coil has shorted and needs replacing.

How many ohms is a ballast resistor?

Ballasts resistors are typically rated at 10-25 ohms. Without the ballast, the coil cannot provide enough current to power up. A ballast resistor helps in preventing the overloading of current from entering the circuit and breaking it down again.

What causes ignition coil overheating?

As spark plugs wear down, the gap in which each spark plug is fired is widened, meaning the coil needs to provide a higher voltage in order to bridge the gap. This additional strain on the ignition coil may cause voltage overload, leading to overheating and eventually failure.

How much voltage should a coil have?

The voltage reaching the coil may be 12 volts , or about 7 volts if the coil has a ballast resistor . Most electrical equipment works on 12 volts, but most modern cars have a resistor in the ignition system to assist starting. The coil in a ballast-resistor system is rated at 7-8 volts instead of 12 volts.

Which side of the coil does the resistor go on?

You connect one end of the resistor to the + side of the coil. The other end of the resistor goes to a positive voltage source when the ignition switch is turned to the on position. The - side of the coil is connected to the ignition points.

Should there be voltage on both sides of a coil?

Yes, if the points are open and/or the electronic module is NOT CLOSED then you will measure battery voltage on both the coil (+) and coil(-) terminals. Since there is no current flowing through the coil (no path to earth) then both sides of the coil will be at the same potential.

What happens when a ballast goes bad?

The ballast itself can go bad, which causes lights to flicker or even appear to be burnt out, when in fact they aren't. They require maintenance and energy to power, on top of the power used to light the fluorescent bulb. They are a large part of the equation when using fluorescent lamps.

Where is the ballast resistor located?

Note: Ballast resistors are usually located bolted to the firewall if your distributor and/or coil is at the rear of the engine. If your distributor is located near the front or side of the engine in the case of an inline-4 cylinder, then it's probably right near the ignition coil or distributor.

Can a resistor go bad?

When a resistor fails, it usually gets charred or burns. As a result, it either stops conducting the electrical current/signal or does not resist the current flow.