ignition ballast resistor

[sat1962]

Does my ignition system have a ballast resistor? IM switching to electronic igniton from points where would ballast resistor be and what does it look like . This is a 1987 mercruiser 3.0 with a delco remy distributor and electric choke thanks 4 any advice in advance

 

[Maclin]

Re: ignition ballast resistor

It uses a length of (purple) resistance wire in place of a solid resistor component. It is one of the wires connected to the poositive terminal of the coil. This information only applies if your ignition wiring has not been modified.

 

[sat1962]

Re: ignition ballast resistor

would i connect to the positive side of the coil with pertronics conversion or before the purple resistor wire thanks.

 

[Maclin]

Re: ignition ballast resistor

Follow the instructions from Pertronix!



The Pertonix unit wants a full 12 volts so connecting to the coil as it is now would not a good idea. If you rewire and put in a different coil with an internal resistor then you can connect to the coil+ terminal. All of this will be in the instructions.

 

[Maclin]

Re: ignition ballast resistor

So, yes, before the resistor wire is what the Pertonix unit wants so it can have the full 12v.

 

[MikDee]

Re: ignition ballast resistor

What you need to do, is remove the purple wire at the ignition switch at the (RUN) terminal (the resistor wire) and install a new wire from there to the ignition (coil plus+) side for a full 12 volts, but somewhere in there is the shift interupt switch usually on the top of the bellhousing that needs to be spliced into this wire, in between them as well.