ballast resistor smoking

[billschroeder5842]

I replaced my ballast resitor on my 69 with a 393. I'm not sure the old one was working or not, but the car ran real rough and the plastic electircal wire tips from the harness seemed melted from excessive heat. Th e new one has an exposed element on the back where as the old one was sealed.

I replaced the resistor and turned the key on "run" without starting it to check connections and continuity. I quickly noticed that the resistor swtarted to smoke so I turned the key off  and disconnected the ballast resistor wires. Looks like no harm.

Is there a problem or is the smoke just the new resistor heating up for the first time and buring off "its new-ness?"

I'm real cautious as I allready melted on harness this year!

[maxwellwedge]

I have had a new repro smoke on me once - turned out ok. Like you said - maybe the newness - varnish burning off etc. But, sounds like you had other problems if your terminals look melted. Keep a good eye on it. If you have points it is not a good idea to keep the key in the on position as this can burn your points.

[bakerhillpins]

If your terminals are melted you might want to think about replacing them. If they got hot enough to melt/discolor then the crimp connection in the terminal is probably compromised and will only get worse.

[billschroeder5842]

Thanks. I played with it a bit more and the smoke went away...

Now I have other problems, see "mean green wire"

[BLUE68RT4ME]

Thanks. I played with it a bit more and the smoke went away...

Now I have other problems, see "mean green wire"

As you said my friend, the easy fixes are always the best!   Hope you get the Green Wire issue solved!   

[skip68]

They will smoke at first.       Nothing to worry about.      

[69bronzeT5]

I put a brand new ballast resistor in my Duster in Feburary and it never smoked?

[TylerCharger69]

There is a difference in points style resistors and ECU style resistors.....for what it's worth