Can someone ID this one wire. It goes to the dizzy

[ColeTrickle]

Can someone please help me ID this one wire?

Its appears to be the same type of insulated wire as a fusible link wire. Its real rubbery soft insulated type of wire. And its been HOT!


In this pic its the wire on the upper left.


Its the bare (somewhat covered) wire that splices into the 2 red w/trace that goes to the dizzy and starter solenoid.

Is it a fusible link wire? How can I replace it without using that type of wire?

Thanks for all and any help!

 

[Peanut Butter]

Most Jeeps have a Red with white trace wire that runs from the starter relay back into the harness. Here it ties in with other red/white wires in the harness that run to bulkhead connector in the firewall. The one from the ignition control unit to this junction is a resistance wire. The one from the coil to the junction is also red/white, and finally there is one from the coil to this junction. The single red/white wire coming out of the bulk head connector is a resistance wire also before it connects to the junction of all the others. This junction is usually a crimp terminal that has been soldered. Keep in mind that alterations may have been made to your wiring harness. I've said it before, but it is worth every cent to get a good wiring diagram for your Jeep year and model if you are having any issues with the harness. One that I like is from Prospero's Garage PROSPERO'S GARAGE Presents:* 11" x 17", Laminated, Full Original Color Wiring Diagrams for Motorcycles & Vintage Sports Cars! Hope this helps some.

 

[ColeTrickle]

Thanks PB! Yes the wire harness has been modified to dismiss the stepper motor.

So its a "resistance wire" that has gotten hot a few times I'm assuming? I'm a total idiot when it comes to anything electrical.

Could this wire also get hot from repeated starts of the ignition? From time?

Should I keep it as is and just keep an eye on it to see if it continually gets hot?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

That res. wire only comes into use when the engine is running, as you don't want a full 12vdc going to your coil(fries the coil).
In the start circuit of the ign, the coil does receive a full 12vdc because of the starters drain.
LG

 

[ColeTrickle]

Is there a way to replace it?

The resistance wire I have has obviously got hot a few times. Everything appears to be working like it should. I'm guessing the PO burnt it and corrected the problem.

I didn't see anything at the auto parts store that was similar to it?

 

[Peanut Butter]

Yes. Check with NAPA. I know they have them part number ICR22. Any wire that gets hot is due to resistance. Just like the top of an electric stove. In the case of the Jeep harness it in there to lower the voltage like LG said. If it looks like it has gotten too hot, started to burn, or melted not only does it need to be replaced, you need to find out why it got that way in the first place. Wiring and electric seams foreign to most people. Check all of your grounds. A bad ground can sometimes result in a wire melting or burning. That wire builds resistance because it cannot complete the circuit. In the ignition circuit they wire may be trying to pull too much amperage during startup. This would most likely be wire of the wrong size, short somewhere, cut and spliced where it shouldn't be to power something else. Anyway you look at it, after checking grounds and replacing the wire, you definitely need a color diagram to work out another problems. Here is a thread that you should fine helpful. About the middle you will find an alternative to using this wire. I would only do this after you find or resolve the original problem.

 

[Posi]

The wire's resistance is 1.35 ohms

 

[ColeTrickle]

Thanks fellow Jeepers! Your advice is appreciated.

Could I possibly use this to replace the 4-5' of wire that's been burned?

http://www.autozone.com/ignition/ba...stor-for-accel-140205-racing-coil/151018_0_0/

 

[Torxhead]

Interesting consideration there Cole, The objective is to get 6 volts to the coil, refering to Lumpy's #6 post. The CJ has two circuts, start and run, that would be for the run circut. In my case, I bumped it up to 9 volts by shortning that wire. This was done many years ago to get rid of that long wire and I have have no bad effects.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

MSD sells pretty much the same resistor.
You have to mount them OUT of the wiring loom because it's gonna get hot.
LG

 

[Posi]

^ yes on the ballast resistor.

 

[Peanut Butter]

Thanks fellow Jeepers! Your advice is appreciated.

Could I possibly use this to replace the 4-5' of wire that's been burned?

Accel/1.35 Ohm ignition ballast resistor for Accel 140205 racing coil 150250 at AutoZone.com

I'm sure that it would work, but remember you are putting this in a Jeep, not a race car. Mud, snow, water, and all the other that gets thrown up in the engine compartment may have an effect on this as compared to the wire. I really just :dunno: !

 

[Woolyworm]

Not to confuse thing but I think if I've made the TFI coil switch and have the stock ICM I still need resistance drop to ICM but not the TFI - correct?


Wooly

 

[Posi]

A quick answer, that's correct.
PB, all Jeeps from 71 down used a ballast resistor, those were in the mud for more then the newer 72 and up CJs

 

[Peanut Butter]

A quick answer, that's correct.
PB, all Jeeps from 71 down used a ballast resistor, those were in the mud for more then the newer 72 and up CJs

Didn't know that! Where was it located?

 

[Torxhead]

A quick answer, that's correct.
PB, all Jeeps from 71 down used a ballast resistor, those were in the mud for more then the newer 72 and up CJs

O.K. So, how many volts powered the coil in the run position for '71 and down and what was used between '71 and '78 when the Motorcraft ign. came out with the resistor wire?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Didn't know that! Where was it located?

The ones I have seen were on the bracket next to the coil.
FYI-Go to a MSD ign and you ditch the res. wire.
LG

 

[Torxhead]

The ones I have seen were on the bracket next to the coil.
FYI-Go to a MSD ign and you ditch the res. wire.
LG

That sounds interesting, is that what you have done Lumpy? or Posi, I was refering to that resistor.

 

[Hedgehog]

Mine was mounted on the fire wall next to the battery. Took it out when I went HEI, HEI ignitions want a full 12 volts all the time. Here's another thought. You could cut your existing wire, clean it off a little, then slip a length of heat shrink tubing over it then attach as it was stock.

 

[Posi]

Didn't know that! Where was it located?

My 71 was on the firewall, some as LG mentioned were mounted on a bracket next to the coil.

O.K. So, how many volts powered the coil in the run position for '71 and down and what was used between '71 and '78 when the Motorcraft ign. came out with the resistor wire?

Whatever the safe maximum would be, I'm thinking 8v-9v
They didn't use a resistor with prestolite distributors 72 -77