1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Ballast Resistor On F134??

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Paulietools, Oct 21, 2019.

  1. Oct 21, 2019
    Paulietools

    Paulietools New Member

    Lampasas, Texas
    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2019
    Messages:
    29
    I'm trying to troubleshoot a no spark issue on my 1967 CJ5. It still has the original F134 motor.
    While reading the universal manual I downloaded off the web it stated "only the Dauntless V6 has a ballast resistor"
    If this is true then someone added an extra ballast resistor that is not needed or required.
    I have not replaced the points or the condenser yet, I'm trying to eliminate what I think is major problem first.
    Can anyone confirm my thoughts about the ballast resistor?
    Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Oct 21, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
    Messages:
    8,102
    Depends on whether the coil is stock or not- should be written on it whether or not it requires an external resister.
     
    Jrobz23 likes this.
  3. Oct 22, 2019
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    Messages:
    1,725
    My 64 didn't have a ballast resistor, but an internal resistor on the coil. I used a 66 wiring harness, it had a ballast resister in it, so I just hooded the wires together to eliminate the resister.
     
  4. Oct 22, 2019
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    What do you see as that "major problem" and why?
     
  5. Oct 22, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,367
    Does the coil say external resistor required?
     
  6. Oct 22, 2019
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
    Messages:
    942
    Check the basics first.

    Confirm you got good ground
    Confirm you have voltage at the coil
    Confirm your main source wire ohms out
     
  7. Oct 22, 2019
    gunner

    gunner Member

    Washington state...
    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2012
    Messages:
    596
    Several replies and no mention of the Pertronix, so I'll rattle that cage.

    Made for a significant improvement on my Fhead. Can be searched here on the forum- lots of opinions in both directions.

    But no need for a resistor with the Pertronix. Give it the full 12 volts.
     
    mike starck likes this.
  8. Oct 22, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
    Messages:
    8,102
    Depends on the coil, I don't have the instruction for the unit I bought in front of me but I'm pretty sure they say not to remove the resister if there was on there to begin with.
     
    Jrobz23 likes this.
  9. Oct 22, 2019
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
    Messages:
    942
    I wouldn’t start my spark troubleshooting at the distributor, I’d end it there.
     
  10. Oct 22, 2019
    mike starck

    mike starck Member

    salem,oregon
    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    Messages:
    762
    That is correct per there instructions.However if you install a pertronix coil with internal resistor you may remove ballast resistor if you choose. Which I did. mike
     
  11. Oct 22, 2019
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    Except that an accurate and effective diagnostic process depends on knowing that all tune-up items are within spec... before beginning.
     
  12. Oct 22, 2019
    kenb

    kenb Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult

    Detroit
    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2019
    Messages:
    670
    Most ignition systems with ballast resistors bypass the resistor for starting. So I don't see the harm in jumping around it for a test.
     
    Rick Whitson likes this.
  13. Oct 22, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
    Messages:
    8,102
    True, & I certainly would, but you're simply replacing the external resister with the internal one. My points (pun intended :)) are that if you remove the resister from the circuit that has a coil that requires an external resister then you're ignoring the instructions, voiding the warrantee & playing test pilot.

    YMMV bit it could be e as short as the end of the driveway :(
     
  14. Oct 22, 2019
    mike starck

    mike starck Member

    salem,oregon
    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    Messages:
    762
    Not at all.the instructions clearly state that IF you replace the coil with a Pertronix coil with internal resistor you may bypass the ballast resistor. You have to read the instructions that come with the NEW coil to get to that point. Perfectly OK :) BTW I have done so on both my V-6 engines and a Ford V-8.
     
  15. Oct 29, 2019
    Paulietools

    Paulietools New Member

    Lampasas, Texas
    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2019
    Messages:
    29
    Thank you all for the replies. I have not pulled anything apart yet, I am in the process of purchasing the replacements parts so that I can just replace everything and (hopefully) start with good components.
    That was the reason for my question. The OEM replacement coils I am seeing are all internal resistor so I wanted to clarify before I got the wrong one.

    I am glad you went ahead and rattled the cage on the Pertronix. I was just reading a few of the threads and thinking that might be the way for me to go and avoid some of the known issues with points. I know that we won't be driving this vehicle on a daily basis so I was worried about the points corroding.

    Looks like I have a decision to make before I buy the new parts I need.
     
New Posts