How to Connect a Ballast Resistor

Place wheel chocks on either side of the rear wheels to prevent inadvertent rolling of the car.

Ensure the engine is cool and not operating. Remove the keys from the ignition.

Open the hood and place a fender cover over the area you will be working on to prevent scratches to the car finish.

Locate the battery and loosen the negative (-) cable clamp using an adjustable wrench. The negative post on the battery has the smallest diameter of the two posts.

Remove the negative clamp from the battery using a battery post clamp remover. Place the cable away from the negative post to avoid contact between the two.

Locate the ignition coil. Follow the center wire of the distributor to the coil. All the spark plug wiring is connected to the outer posts of the distributor.

Locate the area intended for the ballast resistor. The most expedient location for the ballast resistor is close to the ignition coil along the firewall.

Place the ballast resistor against the firewall. Mark the position of the resistor's two mounting brackets onto the firewall with a marker.

Drill two holes at the marked positions using a drill fitted with the appropriate size steel drill bit.

Mount the ballast resistor to the firewall with the included screws. Tighten the screws clockwise.

Connect the white wire from the ignition switch harness to either post on the ballast resistor. Tighten the terminal nut clockwise with the appropriate size socket driver.

Connect the white wire from the positive (+) post of the ignition coil to the remaining terminal on the resistor. Tighten the terminal nut.

Reconnect the negative cable to its battery post and tighten the clamp nut clockwise with the adjustable wrench.

Remove the fender cover and close the hood. Account for all of the tools used.

Remove the wheel chocks.