The Ford Barn

nellis003 · 03-07-2011, 05:25 PM

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me what's normal behavior for the resistor on a '35 Ford dash harness? I just replaced the harness and resisitor on mine, and when the ignition switch is on the resistor gets pretty hot. I haven't had the chance to test it with the engine running yet.

Just want to know if I should be concerned or not.

Thanks,
Nick

Kahuna · 03-07-2011, 05:55 PM

Hi nick
The resistor is used to reduce the coil voltage. It will always be warm/hot in normal operation
Jim

Coupe35 · 03-07-2011, 06:32 PM

My 35, I accidentally left the ignition switch on when the engine was not running. Luckily I was still out in the garage and smell something burning. It was the resistor. They must get a lot hotter when the engine is not running because when it is running it is still very warm to the touch but not like it did with engine off..

nellis003 · 03-07-2011, 07:58 PM

Okay, good to know. I think part of the trouble is that somewhere along the line someone installed a firewall cover on the cabin side, so the resisitor is mounted directly on fabric. I'm going to cut a metal plate and use some spacers to get it up and off the fabric, that way there won't be anything to burn.

Thanks, as usual,
Nick

Kahuna · 03-07-2011, 08:14 PM

Nellis
Generally the resistors are mounted on an insulated panel of sorts. Good plan to move it
Coupe 35-
in your case the points must have been closed. Had they been open, no problem would have occurred

JM 35 Sedan · 03-08-2011, 10:10 AM

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Sometimes the residence wire connections on the board also become high resistance and cause the voltage to be too low to the coil. GM has a remedy to correct this problem. Maybe he will post that info here or you could pm him to get that info.

FRANK PKNY · 03-08-2011, 10:19 AM

In my 39 pu I mounted it on the coil we often did this years ago to forgo any fire hazards.

03-07-2011, 05:25 PM	#1
nellis003 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 162	'35 Ford resistor Hi all, Can anyone tell me what's normal behavior for the resistor on a '35 Ford dash harness? I just replaced the harness and resisitor on mine, and when the ignition switch is on the resistor gets pretty hot. I haven't had the chance to test it with the engine running yet. Just want to know if I should be concerned or not. Thanks, Nick

03-07-2011, 05:55 PM	#2
Kahuna Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,617	Re: '35 Ford resistor Hi nick The resistor is used to reduce the coil voltage. It will always be warm/hot in normal operation Jim

03-07-2011, 06:32 PM	#3
Coupe35 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 226	Re: '35 Ford resistor My 35, I accidentally left the ignition switch on when the engine was not running. Luckily I was still out in the garage and smell something burning. It was the resistor. They must get a lot hotter when the engine is not running because when it is running it is still very warm to the touch but not like it did with engine off..

03-07-2011, 07:58 PM	#4
nellis003 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 162	Re: '35 Ford resistor Okay, good to know. I think part of the trouble is that somewhere along the line someone installed a firewall cover on the cabin side, so the resisitor is mounted directly on fabric. I'm going to cut a metal plate and use some spacers to get it up and off the fabric, that way there won't be anything to burn. Thanks, as usual, Nick

03-07-2011, 08:14 PM	#5
Kahuna Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,617	Re: '35 Ford resistor Nellis Generally the resistors are mounted on an insulated panel of sorts. Good plan to move it Coupe 35- in your case the points must have been closed. Had they been open, no problem would have occurred

03-08-2011, 10:10 AM	#6
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,876	Re: '35 Ford resistor Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Sometimes the residence wire connections on the board also become high resistance and cause the voltage to be too low to the coil. GM has a remedy to correct this problem. Maybe he will post that info here or you could pm him to get that info. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

03-08-2011, 10:19 AM	#7
FRANK PKNY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: POUGHKEEPSIE NY 12601 Posts: 1,020	Re: '35 Ford resistor In my 39 pu I mounted it on the coil we often did this years ago to forgo any fire hazards. __________________ [email protected]