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ballast coil or not?

Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 10:37 pm
by frogeyeman
E-type series 2 4.2 coupe.Does this car have a ballast resistor for the coil?I cannot find one and none is shown in the wiring diagram.But my parts catalogue lists one.It shows it on a small mounting bracket.I changed the coil for a high output straight 12v coil and the car ran like a bag of nails.Put old coil back on and all was well.There is no indication on original coil to say whether it should be used with a ballast or not.Car is fitted with Lumenition electronic ignition.Want to change the coil as it is very scruffy!Car is 1969 in the year.Hope you clever people can help.The new coil worked fine on my Frogeye Sprite.

Re: ballast coil or not?

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 1:18 pm
by e600
I had a Series 2 and it had a ballast resistor. It is easy to spot as next to the coil, which is mounted on the RH side of the picture frame is a small white (or brown) item which is a heavy coil of wrapped wire on a ceramic block.

If your coil is mounted on the engine breather cover then no BalRes', if on the frame then it has one, however, since being involved with Jaguars for only 40 years I have learned never to say never.

Regards
Pat

Re: ballast coil or not?

Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 11:20 pm
by frogeyeman
Pat.Thanks for your reply.my coil is mounted on the engine breather so maybe it does not have one or it was removed when the Lumenition ignition was put on.I will try a different make of coil and see what happens.

Regards
Nick