[Roadsters] Coil/Ballist resistor

[Gary and Cindy Ault]

Steve,

I've never checked mine in the dark, but I have an original (i.e., came with 
the car when it was new) ballast resistor in my '66 1600/U20.  The resistor 
wire is exposed in the ceramic mounting, so I am guessing it's not supposed 
to glow.

As I understand the function of the ballast resistor, it offers little 
resistance when cold, gradually increasing resistance as current flows 
through it after the engine is started.  This crude, but generally effective 
approach, allows full battery voltage to the coil for a stronger spark when 
starting, but drops the voltage after the engine is started to avoid 
long-term coil damage.

Assuming that other aspects of the ignition system are in order (points good 
and correctly gapped, condenser good), the ballast resistor could be 
defective.  I would make a jumper wire to connect the battery to the 
positive coil terminal, taking the resistor circuit out of play.  If the 
engine cranks and starts , you know the resistor is bad -- probably 
producing too much voltage drop to generate a spark, and overheating in the 
process.  ALthough the coil can take battery voltage for a time, shut her 
down after it starts, and disconnect the jumper.

Although it will not go to the list, I have attached a color wiring diagram 
for the early 1600s.  Let me know if it does not make it through the 
response process.

List:  Other thoughts?

Gary

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steven Burton" <pscowboy9 at yahoo.com>
To: <datsun-roadsters at autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 8:57 PM
Subject: [Roadsters] Coil/Ballist resistor


>I posted about a week ago regarding my 66 1600 not getting a spark.  I 
>think I
> traced that to the wire that goes from the coil to the side of the
> distributor.  I still can't get my car to stay running, but noticed 
> something
> when it started getting dark tonight that concerned me.  I had recently
> replaced the coil/ballist resistor trying to fix the no spark problem.  is 
> the
> resistor suppose to glow orange while trying to start the car?  the 
> original
> one was completely sealed so I have no idea if its working right or if its
> putting my car at risk of a electrical fire.
>
> thanks for your help
>
> Steve
> 66 - 1600
>
>
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[demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type application/pdf which had a name of 1966-67Datsun1600SportsWiringSchematicrev2.pdf]