See full version: How to check ignition resistor forum
Disconnect at least one terminal and measure the resistance. It should be around 2 ohms give or take. Usually they fail open which on a digital meter is usually displayed as OL (overload or over limit) which means it's beyond the capability of the meter. Shorted is not good, but also near impossible to achieve.
To test your ballast resistor you need an ohm meter or multimeter set to ohms as previously suggested but you really need to remove the connectors from both sides of the resistor. I believe single should read 1.8 ohms and dual should read 1.8 and 5 ohms. You should be getting 9 volts to the positive side of the coil. Also check the negative side I believe it should be 9 volts. If there is voltage to all those spots then you have eliminated the ballast and coil. That basically leaves the Pertronix.
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2006 Jeep Commander
2013 Chrysler 200 [links]
Some people try to jump the resistor, which means you bypass the ballast resistor and the extra current goes to the points. The points are not designed to take this extra voltage, which causes them to wear out and fail prematurely. This will give you a much more extensive repair than if you had the ballast resistor replaced in the beginning. Furthermore, it can be dangerous, especially if you don’t know what you are doing, because you are messing with electricity. here
The biggest sign your ballast resistor is bad is your vehicle will start, but immediately stop as soon as you let go of the key. If you suspect you need a replacement, be sure to see a professional mechanic.
If your ballast resistor is bad, your vehicle will not run and you will have to have it towed to the mechanic’s shop. By using the professionals at YourMechanic, you will be able to cut down on towing costs because they make house calls. In addition, since the vehicle will not start, it is not a dangerous situation as long as you let the vehicle be. Do not try to bypass the ballast resistor and do not keep trying to start the engine. Let the professionals fix it so you can be on your way.
The most obvious symptoms will be the vehicle starts, but then immediately dies as soon as you release the key. If this happens, the professionals at YourMechanic will be able to measure the voltage coming from the ballast resistor and determine if you need a replacement. Once they read the voltage, they will let you know what condition your ballast resistor is in. more
If the ballast resistor is not working properly, the vehicle will not start. Since it is an electrical system, it is something best left to the professionals to handle. The only way to have the vehicle up and running again is with a ballast resistor replacement.
I still have the resistor and the cannister thingy. more
It's true that the coil puts out less energy with the resistor, but it's not a lot less.
I'd suggest you use the resistor, regardless.
If you need to find one, go to your automotive supplier and get a 1.25 ohm, 50 watt resistor. more
I still have my old resistor and the little cannister thingy which I do not know what it is called exactly. more
. a CONDENSER the automotive world. and a CAPACITOR in the most of the other electrical and electronics worlds. here
I was later just wondering about the different Ohms, learning things here. more
Yep, thats the one I got after work. I found it after the first time Bill told me what to look for. more
This is how the resistance affects current. more
1, 6 volts (divided by) 1.2 ohms (the smallest resistor in the list from (tcleaderman thank you Sir)=5 amps. here