ballast resistor
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 443
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From: Athens, AL
ballast resistor
I am working out the many screw-ups by the PO of my 79 Bronco, and one of the problems in the harness is a broken resistor wire. It is broken off where it is supposed to be attached to the ignition switch, along with the other wire there that goes to the splice 6" away. But the wire that's there isn't a resistor wire, but some random wire installed in about 5 pieces, all spliced together.
I was thinking about just running another, single wire, in its place and installing an aftermarket ballast resistor (one of those rectangular ceramic ones). I have one on the shelf.
It's .8 ohms. I know the stock resistor wire is 1.05-1.15, but will .8 be ok?
Also, they are normally mounted under the hood, on the firewall for example. would there be anything wrong with puting it in the dash, like where the ground wires attach behind the instrument panel? I want to use the stock setup, so if I don't use an aftermarket coil, it will be ok. this means the coil power from the solenoid will splice in at the factory location, and the only deviation will be this ballast resistor.
Or should I mount it under the hood and splice in a longer solenoid wire and run it through the firewall with the harness and splice it under the hood?
Do they put off too much heat to go under the dash?
This is of course if the .8 ohm will be ok.
I was thinking about just running another, single wire, in its place and installing an aftermarket ballast resistor (one of those rectangular ceramic ones). I have one on the shelf.
It's .8 ohms. I know the stock resistor wire is 1.05-1.15, but will .8 be ok?
Also, they are normally mounted under the hood, on the firewall for example. would there be anything wrong with puting it in the dash, like where the ground wires attach behind the instrument panel? I want to use the stock setup, so if I don't use an aftermarket coil, it will be ok. this means the coil power from the solenoid will splice in at the factory location, and the only deviation will be this ballast resistor.
Or should I mount it under the hood and splice in a longer solenoid wire and run it through the firewall with the harness and splice it under the hood?
Do they put off too much heat to go under the dash?
This is of course if the .8 ohm will be ok.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by rwjr
I am working out the many screw-ups by the PO of my 79 Bronco, and one of the problems in the harness is a broken resistor wire. It is broken off where it is supposed to be attached to the ignition switch, along with the other wire there that goes to the splice 6" away. But the wire that's there isn't a resistor wire, but some random wire installed in about 5 pieces, all spliced together.
I was thinking about just running another, single wire, in its place and installing an aftermarket ballast resistor (one of those rectangular ceramic ones). I have one on the shelf.
It's .8 ohms. I know the stock resistor wire is 1.05-1.15, but will .8 be ok?
Also, they are normally mounted under the hood, on the firewall for example. would there be anything wrong with puting it in the dash, like where the ground wires attach behind the instrument panel? I want to use the stock setup, so if I don't use an aftermarket coil, it will be ok. this means the coil power from the solenoid will splice in at the factory location, and the only deviation will be this ballast resistor.
Or should I mount it under the hood and splice in a longer solenoid wire and run it through the firewall with the harness and splice it under the hood?
Do they put off too much heat to go under the dash?
This is of course if the .8 ohm will be ok.
I was thinking about just running another, single wire, in its place and installing an aftermarket ballast resistor (one of those rectangular ceramic ones). I have one on the shelf.
It's .8 ohms. I know the stock resistor wire is 1.05-1.15, but will .8 be ok?
Also, they are normally mounted under the hood, on the firewall for example. would there be anything wrong with puting it in the dash, like where the ground wires attach behind the instrument panel? I want to use the stock setup, so if I don't use an aftermarket coil, it will be ok. this means the coil power from the solenoid will splice in at the factory location, and the only deviation will be this ballast resistor.
Or should I mount it under the hood and splice in a longer solenoid wire and run it through the firewall with the harness and splice it under the hood?
Do they put off too much heat to go under the dash?
This is of course if the .8 ohm will be ok.
49 inches long, red with green stripes.
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No need for quote 
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Last edited by Mil1ion; Mar 2, 2007 at 07:52 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
I don't know if .8 would be ok or not. I have been recommending the Chrysler type resistor to everybody, and they have been using them with success, but I really don't know what it's value is either.
I would mount it under the hood. Why? Because it does get hot, and every OEM setup I have seen with a resistor mounts it under the hood.
I am assuming you have the solenoid with the two little connections. You could run a single wire from the ignition switch to the resistor on the firewall. Then you could run two wires from the solenoid small terminals, over across the firewall behind the engine, and hook the "I" wire to the other side of the resistor. On this same connection you would run the wire to the coil +.
The other wire running with the "I" wire would be another "s" wire. This wire would run across and hook to the white wire on the module(if it hasn't been cut out, your harness mayhave this wire already there).
I would mount it under the hood. Why? Because it does get hot, and every OEM setup I have seen with a resistor mounts it under the hood.
I am assuming you have the solenoid with the two little connections. You could run a single wire from the ignition switch to the resistor on the firewall. Then you could run two wires from the solenoid small terminals, over across the firewall behind the engine, and hook the "I" wire to the other side of the resistor. On this same connection you would run the wire to the coil +.
The other wire running with the "I" wire would be another "s" wire. This wire would run across and hook to the white wire on the module(if it hasn't been cut out, your harness mayhave this wire already there).
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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The Chrysler unit is 0.5 Ohms so you need two of them in series. Remember most VOMs are not very accurate at measuring these low resistance values. Mount the ceramic resistors under the hood so there is good airflow around them. Use the special high temperature connectors available from appliance repair shops. They are a special alloy for high temperature applications that are used for connecting to heating elements. Standard crimp on connectors (even soldered on) will not last long in the high heat connecting to those resistors or even blower resistors. The standard plated copper connector metal loses its tension and oxidizes. Get a few connectors from the local appliance shop and keep them in a special labeled container in your workshop .
Remember Chrysler resistors often have two resistors in them. Use only the low resistance 0.5 Ohm side. The other side is 5 Ohms.
High temp silicone jacketed wire is also a good idea for connecting to ballast resistors. You can buy this wire at hobby shops. It is used for battery and motor connections on R/C electric vehicles.
Remember Chrysler resistors often have two resistors in them. Use only the low resistance 0.5 Ohm side. The other side is 5 Ohms.
High temp silicone jacketed wire is also a good idea for connecting to ballast resistors. You can buy this wire at hobby shops. It is used for battery and motor connections on R/C electric vehicles.
Last edited by Torque1st; Mar 3, 2007 at 01:43 AM.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Originally Posted by Torque1st
The Chrysler unit is 0.5 Ohms so you need two of them in series. Remember most VOMs are not very accurate at measuring these low resistance values.
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