What is a ballast resistor... How do I know if my classic car has one?

What is a ballast resister and do you have one? And if so what coil do you need?

One of the questions we have to ask customers who are looking to buy ignition components is ‘does your system have a ballast…?’ But what does that mean, and how do you find out if your classic car has a ballast resister? In this video we take a look at what a ballast resister does and how you can find one.

Need a new ignition coil or ballast? You can find these on our website:

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Powerspark Ignition are the UK’s leading classic car ignition specialist. We are best known for our range of electronic ignition kits, kits that can be fitted to your existing distributor without taking the whole car apart! We also sell complete distributors, ignition coils, HT leads and a whole lot more to keep your classic car on the road.

We really believe in keeping classics going, we are a small and passionate team based in Bromsgrove in the United Kingdom.

If you have any questions, please do contact us via the website, and thanks for watching our videos!

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[simonschluter]

great info but I cant get past the background music

[ppal]

When did you talk about the ballast resistor? All i heard was music.

[beytanerkmen]

Thank you very much sir, your diagram of how to test was the most straight forward of all the youtubers who seem to overcomplicate the system.

[eddiew]

This was a helpful video! I’m working on a 76 Toyota FJ40 that has the original distributor & ballast resistor set up. Thanks for the clarity!

[octagongarage]

I cant get past the background music / noise

[chriskeppel]

Very informative and easy to understand what your explaining Thnx! was there background music ? I had to watch it again to be sure. Thanks again

[kennethtalbott]

i was looking to upgrade my recently purchased Jag 420G, going to need to check now, my other 70's jags have them.

[don.timeless]

i have hyundai azera 2009 & i found a resistor for my ignetion coils in the parts catalog. if it's became faulty what are symptoms? because the engine have random stuttering even i can hear the statics in the speakers because of it! by the way the spark plugs, coils, battery, alternator are new & the diagnostic tool don't show misfire

[dawneandjohn]

Does the ballast resistor need grounding from the mounting screw?

Or does it need any grounding at all?

[BillyCostello]

What replace the baluster in the 90s I have a 1994 Ford lightning F150 pick up truck does this truck have a baluster because I have no spark in the spark plugs. I change the ignition coil and distributor still no power and Doyo.

[agakarang]

If the coil 3ohm we don’t need to put resistor?

[valfulesday]

why in the hell do people find a need to play music during videos

[starnesandcars]

I can’t listen to this with the music. I now have a migraine 😂

[MechanicForGMCCars]

Hello I see lot peopel use relays for ignition coils.
Can some one describe me if I still need to use resistor or culd I use potenciometer insted?
What ralay rating I need and how to calculate resistor for ignition coil.
Me car is Opel tipical GM lay out but I use inductive trigger/4pin gm ignition module and e core type 4pin ignition coil.
So Im not shure if me ignition coil wuld work with relay or not.
Im not shure what runs it honestly alternator field wire or positive linear voltage regulator inside me dashboard Im not shure their wire harnest lay out is preaty much confuseing.
Also I have cold start problems thats why I mentioned potenciometer I dont get enough voltage to the ignition coil and the 4pin gm ignition module do not have retarding option only wacum and spring load advance .
So can some one help me please give advice how to solve this problem.
Im doing the entire wire harnest be me self and I desire wire harnest that is heavely protected against static and arcing.
I use 3 4 6 pin relays so wuld like to know where and what type of diode rating shuld I use.
And was curiuse to know If I culd use heavy gage non stranded wire insted ?
Originaly I wanted to use buss bars for ground and positive conection to avoid corrosion and futher problems with me car and make evry curcuet seperate so they do not interact with ich other.
In the past I hade flat or over charged baterrys, back feading alternator, relays interactions, dual filament bulbs and xenon bulbs interacting with me wire harnest car refuse to shut off engine, self acelerates, gives electric shock, and lot other unusual effects who are anoying.
So any one has ideas I wuld like to try out.

[michaellawson]

Please remove music for future videos so that we might understand you better.

[barnycanuck]

The background noise really detracts from your message

[gordonjling]

Really off putting background music, shame as very informative, need to get rid of it so I can concentrate on your words.

[johnthompson]

This is the first comment I've ever made. Turn the music down. I can't hear thing you're saying.