what is it and what does it do?

under the radar · Post by **under the radar** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:23 pm

i'm asking about the white twin cylinders with three spade terminals screwed to the inner fender right next to the ignition control box. mine gets very hot, is this normal?

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:58 pm

That's the ballast resistor for the ignition. Getting hot is normal, that's what a resistor does, disapates heat. It's function is to have higher voltage going to the ignition/coil when cranking and voltage is reduced due to the starter load, then drop voltage during normal running to give good coil life. E12 era electronic igniton is pretty hot, I'm surprised they used it but they did. It's almost a relic from an earlier era, the points and condenser era.

under the radar · Post by **under the radar** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 8:25 pm

thanks mike. i should've known that is supposed to be hot being that is encased in aluminum as a heat sync. i'm just chasing down any leads on my '79's choking/bogging problem.

T.Hanson · Post by **T.Hanson** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 9:06 pm

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/122.cfm

Google searching is so much easier than riding my bike to the library.