ballast resistor wire?
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Joined: May 2000
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ballast resistor wire?
When I turn the key in my 82 F-150 4.9L, the engine starts fine, but as soon as I let go of the key the engine shuts off. i.e. when the starter is engaged it works, when its not it doesn't.
I have done some looking around and pinpointed the problem to either the ignition switch or ballast resistor wire. When I asked the guy at Canadian Tire (big department store originally based around cars) for a replacement ballast resistor, he had no clue what I was talking about and gave some bull***** about needing a new solenoid.
I have located the ballast resistor in the truck. Are there any ways to tell whether the problem is from the ballast resistor or the ignition switch? Also, would there be any harm in swapping the ballast resistor with standard 16 guage wire until I can get the replacement?
thanks in advance
I have done some looking around and pinpointed the problem to either the ignition switch or ballast resistor wire. When I asked the guy at Canadian Tire (big department store originally based around cars) for a replacement ballast resistor, he had no clue what I was talking about and gave some bull***** about needing a new solenoid.
I have located the ballast resistor in the truck. Are there any ways to tell whether the problem is from the ballast resistor or the ignition switch? Also, would there be any harm in swapping the ballast resistor with standard 16 guage wire until I can get the replacement?
thanks in advance
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 8
From: Brea CA
ballast resistor wire?
I have experienced the exact same problems on my ’79 5.0L Capri and ’63 Falcon Sprint and guess what it turned out to be, the starter solenoid! There is a terminal labeled “I” which is the ignition ballast resistor bypass wire that goes directly to the coil to supply 12 volts but only when cranking. While running there is no voltage on this wire as power then goes through the ignition switch through the ballast resistance wire to the coil. What was happening was the “I” terminal worked in the “start” mode but when in the “run” mode instead of being open it was shorting out the coil. You might want to try replacing the starter solenoid first before you dig in any deeper.
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