There's a big pink resistor wire with the "DO NOT CUT OR SPLICE" warning all along it that runs from the ignition switch to a splice block under the dash on my '68 f100 360. From there another wire runs to the coil. The pink wire has been getting hot, enough to melt the insulation off an adjacent wire, apparently for a long time. Whenever the switch is turned on, engine running or not, it really heats up. I can't believe this is normal and am concerned that more wires inside the same harness are being damaged. Any ideas? What's the purpose of these resistor wires anyway? Why didn't they just put in a carbon or wire-wound resistor? Thanks,

Dan Blackwell

 

You are lucky to find out early on about your res. wire. You can still get these items at a good parts store that handles Blue Streak (Standard Motor Products) or Echlin ( NAPA ) or Neihoff, etc. Don't be surprised if they first tell you they can't find it listed in the computer, just have them get the book out and they will find it right after the cap, rotor, coil section listed as Resitor Wire. You are supposed to replace the entire length of the wire for proper resistance. The wire serves the same purposed as the ceramic wound that you see on every Chysler product, it lowers the voltage slightly to the ign. coil in the RUN position. After you swap in the new one, you shouldn't get any hot wire affect anymore.
Phillip

 

Thanks, I'll check around tomorrow and try to find one. DB

 

Question. Is the hot pink wire supposed to act the same was as a ballast resistor from the dist to the coil? I understand that this is to save wear and tear on the points. Most of the ign. coils one sees now says that they are to be used with an outside resistor unless there is a built in resistor somewhere. How does one know if there is such a resistor in the system and if the pink wire is that resistor can it be eliminated and a ceramic block/coil resistor such as in a Chrysler product be put in it's place. I have a boat with a Chev 305 that I had to replace the coil on and the new coil said that an external resistor should be used, there was no resistor with the original coil so I purchased one and added it to the circuit with no bad effects that I can tell. I had a ' 72 LTD that burned up the wire harness because of a hot wire and if that same wire is in my '77 F250 I was wondering if it can be swapped for the block type.. Comments please.
2by

 

Been there done that The resistor wire in my truck burnt up a couple of years ago, taking alot of other wires with it. During the re-wiring I replaced the "pink" wire with a ceramic ballast resistor, of the ugh Do*ge vintage. I installed the resistor under the hood so it would get better cooling air. Havent had a problem with it yet, although I carry a spare resistor in the glovebox just in case.

Sparky

 

Yes you could replace the "wire" with a "block" type. Just be-sure to completely remove all of the res. wire,and, solder in a new 14-16ga. wire from point A to point B.
Phillip