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Re: electronic ignition

To: BJ Martin <bj_martin@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: electronic ignition
From: Joe Curry <spitlist@gte.net>
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2000 08:23:56 -0700
Brent,
Here's the deal on ballast resistors:

According to Crane, all Bosch Blue coils and Lucas Coils have internal
ballast resistance.  If you aren't sure, measure across the leads of the
coil with an ohmmeter.  If you achieve a 3 to 4 ohms reading, it has
internal ballast.  Less than that reading means it does not.

If you don't have a ballasted coil or external ballast (a resistor or
resistive ballast wire) you can use a Chrysler style 2-terminal ballast
resistor such as Echlin ICR23 or Wells CR107.  Auto Parts stores can
probably cross those over to other manufacturers as well.

That block is probably the drive resistor and not ballast.  If this is
the case, should be eliminated since it's function is to bias the
internal electronics of the Lucas ignition not provide ballast.  I think
that most (if not all) Spits with Lucas electronic ignitions had
resistive wire ballast.  Check the wiring to see if it is still there. 
YOu don't want to double the ballast resistance if that is the case.

Regards,
Joe

BJ Martin wrote:
> 
> This is a running '77 1500. I'm trying to switch from the original Lucas
> electronic ignition to a Crane. The car has a checkered past and while the
> Lucas ignition is there, the ignition wiring does not look factory.
> 
> The main concern I have is that the Crane says that it will only work off a
> ballasted coil and I'm not sure mine is set up right. The test indicates
> that coil votage should drop below 8 v in the "on" key position but mine
> drops to 9.3 v (from 11.5 in the "off" key position). I am further concerned
> because there is a finned aluminum block bolted to the air pump bracket -
> which I interpret to be a ballast resistor - that is incompletely wired (has
> a white wire with blue stripes from the main wiring harness going to one
> side and nothing from the other side). It has run like this for the 5 years
> I have owned it but I'm afraid that it won't run once I remove the Lucas and
> install the Crane.
> 
> Any suggestions (note that I'm an electrical idiot)
> thanks, brent

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