Ballast Resistor at Coil 1963 Avanti

[Fourward]

I don't know if this is able to be answered. My ignition wire goes into the ballast resistor at 12.36 volts. It comes out at 2.5 volts! It is a brand new resistor. Here is the weird thing. Using the old resistor that was on there, and probably good, the same result. I took it off the coil, so the hot wire attaches to one stud and I am measuring at the other stud. Same result if it is attached by wire to the + side of the coil. Of course, no spark. Help!

[Kodjo]

Ignition switch bad (contact)?

[Fourward]

Well, I just put an ignition switch in, and, am not happy with how tight the nuts are that hold the wires on, but I am still getting 12.36 volts at the resistor end of the wire from ignition to resistor. So it couldn't be that??

[Kodjo]

What wire do you use to measure the negative side on the coil? Not the wire to the distributor right? Use the engine as negative. If you have 12 volts at one end and 2 volts on the other end, wire or ground is no good.

Edited November 23, 2023 by Kodjo

[Fourward]

I am grounding the negative to engine, or stainless steel plug wire surround. Both show 12v when I ground the ignition wire. No, not using the - on the coil. 

[Fourward]

I have ANOTHER resistor for the car. I will check that one tomorrow.

[Fourward]

It has the wire from the starting solenoid to the coil. I will disconnect the resistor wire and try to start the car. It should start then immediately stall. At least this will prove it is the resistor? As an aside, this car hasn't run in around 43 years at least.