ballast resistor do you need it??

[mrcuoco1988]

Ballast resistors were on every Chrysler car in the 1960's. They were used to drop voltage to the coil during run position. There was no electronic ignition until early 1970's.

When electronic ignition started in 1971 as an option and 1972 as standard they had a dual ballast, 1.2 ohm side for coil, 5 ohm side for 5 pin ECU.

Then Direct connection came out with electronic ignition kits with 4 pin ECU. They were also used to bypass the lean burn on late 70's rigs.

Read these wiring diagrams. They are clearly showing what the ballast does.

Chrysler has 4 pin and 5 pin ECU's they don't work the same.

4 pin ECU single ballast runs on 12 volts to pin #1, pin #3 not used.

5 pin ECU dual ballast 12 volts pin #1, reduced voltage on pin #3 from ballast resistor.

https://www.mymopar.com/downloads/elecignconv.pdf
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[mrcuoco1988]

Here is 5 pin with a dual ballast

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Question my car was without a ignition system they sold it to me with wires on the floor you twist together to start it I put a key in it but it has no ballast hooked up and doesn't have a ECU box at all now this concerns me I don't have ignition two just one u turn the key it starts but I'm worried the coil will fail due to 12 volts going to it the wiring is all messed up and I don't want it to over heat my coil or fry my points how is the car functioning without the ECU or ballast