Where is the ballast resistor at ??

[BoatFun]

I think I have a ign prob and I want to test the ballast resistor, but i can not find it, all I see is this stuiped resistor wire (purple) that gets hot when the points are close but my manual says that this wire should go to or be "inline" with a ballast resistor. So is it just the wire?? or is there an acual resistor hiding somewhere?? The manual says the voltage across the entire ignition circuit should not exceed 3.2 volts and I am getting like twice that around 6 volts (this is test is done by hooking the volt meter to the positive battery post to the battery side of the coil with the ign switch moved to the on pos.)<br /><br />I have a merc 140 1986<br /><br />thank you!!

 

[Don S]

Re: Where is the ballast resistor at ??

What manual are you looking at? Please don't tell me it's a Clymers.............

 

[BoatFun]

Re: Where is the ballast resistor at ??

no I have a seloc I guess some of the pics show a resistor wire and says test the "primary Resistor"" which I guess is just the wire for me?? is this wroung info??

 

[Don S]

Re: Where is the ballast resistor at ??

Do this. Remove the distributor cap, and turn the engine by hand till the points are open.<br />Now, check the battery voltage (Pos to Neg)<br />Now, check the voltage at the + side of the coil with the ignition switch on.<br />You should see around a 3 volt drop between the 2 readings, what do you actually have?????

 

[BoatFun]

Re: Where is the ballast resistor at ??

ok When I do that I just get 0.29 volts?? which is alot more than just 3 volt drop?? so what now?? whats wroung...<br /><br />thanks for the help!!

 

[BoatFun]

Re: Where is the ballast resistor at ??

Ok when I do that I get like 0.29 volts so what is wroung, what do i do now.??? thats alot lower than just a 3 volt drop??<br /><br />Thank you!

 

[Don S]

Re: Where is the ballast resistor at ??

Did you make sure the points were open?

 

[BoatFun]

Re: Where is the ballast resistor at ??

Yep because when there closed I get like 6.3 volts and when open I get around like 0.32 (this time) I just went out and checked it again???

 

[BoatFun]

Re: Where is the ballast resistor at ??

So whats wroung I think I have traced it the ignition the boat runs just fine until later when it warms up and when I run it at wot then I starts its misfiring hickups?? so It has to do with some tyoe of connection or resistance once the wires get heated up etc.. when I hit the trim, when it is doing this it like sucks the power right from it and stats to mis even more, So I am preety sure it is electrical.

 

[Don S]

Re: Where is the ballast resistor at ??

????????????????<br /><br />Did you have the red lead of your meter on the + terminal of the coil and the black lead on a GOOD ground?

 

[BoatFun]

Re: Where is the ballast resistor at ??

No I have the red lead to the positive battery post and the black lead to the battery side of the coil.

 

[Don S]

Re: Where is the ballast resistor at ??

No I have the red lead to the positive battery post and the black lead to the battery side of the coil.

Check it like I said, and see what you get.<br /><br /> <br />Resistance in an electrical system causes heat, and a resistor wire is going to get hot, that is what it does.<br />But now you are saying you have a problem and not just wanting to know about a ballast resistor or wire.<br />Your problem may be you need a tuneup. New points, condenser, cap, rotor, sparkplugs, wires if they are cracked or the resistance is high.<br />Then you need to set your dwell, (not just feeler gauge) then set timing, and check advance timing.<br />Adjust the carb mixture and idle speed.<br />After all that, check how it runs at WOT.<br /><br />Of course, your problem could also be fuel supply problems also, air leaks, pluged antisiphon valve, dirty screen on fuel pickup tube, water in fuel.............

 

[BoatFun]

Re: Where is the ballast resistor at ??

ok cool thanks, so then my resistor is just a wire then right???<br /><br />thank you again..