Car has not been started for 9 years. Note: Converted to 12 volt battery a nd 12 volt ignition coil 15 years ago and run as daily driver until parked.
Tried to fire it up and no spark. Messed around for hours, tried 3 differe nt coils, etc. to no avail. Finally, upon bypassing the ballast resistor I got a healthy spark and car started immediately. (yes, with 9 year old gas oline)!
The resistor (original, I believe) is installed in the negative side of the coil. It goes from the distributor ground to the negative terminal of the coil. The resistor measures approximately 2 ohms, has continuity and is e xtremely hot after cranking the engine for about 5-10 seconds.
As I said, absolutely no spark with resistor in place, but healthy spark wh en bypassed.
Question: Can't find any diagrams with resistor in the ground circuit of t he coil. All diagrams show resistor wired in the hot circuit between the i gnition switch and the positive side of the coil.
Please note that this car was a daily driver nine years ago and nothing has been touched or re-wired since that time. Can't find listing for ballasts at Rockauto and other internet sites.
Thanks you for your attention,
Ivan Vegvary