73 TR6 - Ballast Resistor

["Martin Gonzales" <mxgo@ix.netcom.com>]

What test can you do to find if you car needs a ballast resistor.  I
measured, with a voltmeter and ignition on, from the negative pole on the
battery and from the plus pole on the coil and got a number of 4.5 volts.
What does that mean?

I am installing a Pertronic unit on my 73 TR6 and the car runs for a little
while then it starts to sputter and back fire and then dies. I think I may
have fried the Pertronix unit.

Thanks for any information.

Martin
73 TR6
San Jose, CA