Ignition Wiring

[CJTHREEA]

Hello.

I'm trying the get an old Willys running and trying to take things step by step.

After finding out the engine isnt frozen I need to get it to turn over.

I have a ballast resistor in the set up and lots of wiring suggestions do not include the ballast resistor.

I found an old wiring suggestion for a tractor and it seems to work.

But I just want to open this up to forum to see what everyone thinks.

I might have a bad coil - but I can't be 100% sure.

I left out the Alt for now.

[Bob W]

That wiring looks correct for a vehicle that uses a starter solenoid and a ballast resistor with matching coil.

What year CJ-3A do you have?

[CJPilot]

[size=12]I had a couple of thoughts.  Maybe you have already considered these.

Most Coils are made to either use an external resistor or not, does your require an external resistor?

There are a couple of ways solenoids are wired internally, might want to find out how yours is suppose to be wired up.
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[JimVillers]

I would start "simple".  Wire from the ignition switch to the coil, remove the ballast resister and the extra wire.  If your coil needs a ballast resister, it will get very hot after about 10 minutes.  You can also check your coil for an internal ballast (4 ohm - ballasted; 0.8 ohm - external ballast).

After it runs, you can figure out the wiring.

[specialty]

I had converted mine to 12 volt with a coil and ballast resistor. Run a few minutes and shut off. The ballast from what I understand has to be compatible with the coil with correct resistance. I did away with the ballast with a GM internal resistor coil and problem solved. Also check your distributor play. Mine would run but after checking the play the bushings were shot and the points would open up when grabbing the shaft to about .090. I had a lot of play and also the advance springs under the points,condenser plate were all frozen up and not working. After rebuilding it ran much better as you could imagine.