ballast resistor

[acton mike]

1984 dodge D100 with 318

I went into the NAPA store looking for a ballast resistor since i have heard many tales of these things breaking down/burning out at most inopportune times

The counter-man told me that since this beast has electronic ignition it does not have a ballast resistor - he says they went out with points/condensers

what is the real scoop

[84 Ram]

He's wrong it uses a 4 prong ballast.
http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/mopduelbalre.html

[bherder]

He's wrong it uses a 4 prong ballast.
http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/mopduelbalre.html

Mmmm... Not so fast.... If he's got that 'Lean Burn'/'Spark Control Computer' setup, he may not have a ballast resistor.... It's been many years since I messed around with one, but I don't recall there being a ballast resistor... I could be very well 'misremembering' though... ;) ;) ;)

[84 Ram]

1984 dodge D100 with 318

I went into the NAPA store looking for a ballast resistor since i have heard many tales of these things breaking down/burning out at most inopportune times

The counter-man told me that since this beast has electronic ignition it does not have a ballast resistor - he says they went out with points/condensers

what is the real scoop
What made me think the guy didn't know what he was talking about was when he said that the ballast died with points .

[Megunticook]

Maybe I missed something, but can you just have a peek in your engine compartment to see if you have one? It should be mounted on the driver side fender near the firewall connectors--white ceramic block with either 2 or 4 metal prongs.

My '73 318 has electronic ignition (first year they rolled it out, I believe) and definitely depends on a ballast resistor...

[acton mike]

I will have a look on the firewall to see what there is to see

I do not think my dodge has the dreaded lean-burn

no decals on the air cleaner and it does not have the characteristic little box on the air cleaner snout; i remember those from the days oy my compony issue Volare with the super six

[Speed Dragon]

He is smoking crack, Dodge used ballast resistors until the advent of fuel injection.

[76D100]

+1 for the crack smoking NAPA yuppie.

I have a ballast resistor that I plan on loosing as soon as I can in favor of HEI.

[bherder]

What made me think the guy didn't know what he was talking about was when he said that the ballast died with points .

Yeah, we ALL agree with you on that one!! (Was the guy behind the counter younger than the truck?? :D :D :D )

[bherder]

He is smoking crack, Dodge used ballast resistors until the advent of fuel injection.

I was thinking the same thing Speed.... I kept looking over the electrical schematic for his rig that had a 'spark control computer' and couldn't find a ballast anywhere. But like I say, it's been a looooong time since I've tinkered with one.... ;)

[Dodgevanman]

My '85 Dodge van had ESA (Electronic Spark Advance), but it wasn't Lean Burn so to speak and it didn't have a ballast resistor.

Just some info.

[Speed Dragon]

Hmm, well I'll have to go lift the hood on the Diplodocus and see, it has the Lean Burn setup and I could swear it has a resistor. Could be wrong though :)

[iviper123]

my 84 has the scc and is dosent have a resitor

[87Dodgeman]

My '87 with spark computer doesn't have a ballast resistor. Coil is full 12v.

[B-300]

I think the parts person either lost some brain cells or lever had them in the first place. Other than computer controled ignition systems: FI, spark computer (ESSA) or lean burn ignition all had ballasts... 2 prong on points and 4 prong on electronic (5 wire) ignition.