Reading results of my multimeter???

[Courtney]

OK, either I can't read this properly cause I'm a 'tard, or else my ballast resisitor is toasted. The top of the resisitor is stamped
1.6 (ohm symbol) K, which to me means 1600 ohms correct???
I set my digital multimeter to 2K ohms and the reading I get is
.003 which to me means 3 ohms???? This is with the ballast resistor unplugged and measuring across it's two wires. The book says I should get 1.6K ohms plus or minus 10%. Am I stupid or what????
Thanks,
Courtney

[Geezer]

It could be toast but you should select the scale that has the value you expect to test in the middle of the range for best accuracy.

Geezer

[TheDjost]

most probably

If you test the resistor on the 2kohms scale and get 0.003, your ballast resistor has probably gone short, but just to make sure, go down to 20ohm scale, or even the 2ohm. If it's toast, then you will get a readabe value. Keep in mind that in non-auto-range multimeters, your readings should stay over 0.5 for best accuracy. I.E.: fi you are testing at 2k and get below 0.5 , you should go down a couple of ranges until you read over 0.5. Also make sure the battery in the meter is good.


But it does sound as if it's shot.

Another tip when buying electronic parts is to bring a meter with you and test the part right there on the counter before you buy it. Most stores have a no-return policy on all electronic parts. It also gives you a chance to compare the readings with the bad part.

-Justin

[strom]

Check the previous ballast resistor topic... I think its a low impedance 10W resistor... low as in a few ohms, nothing in the k scale.

LP

[xssiveone]

Factory manual sez it's 1.6ohm, =- 10% @ 20C

[Bud Manley]

you sure the circuit is proken at the other end?
What I mean is that are you reading across the resistor or backwards through the rest of the circuit. I have seen resistors go bad before but it is a rare event. (I'm an Electrical engineer)
Sounds to me like its reading the frame or the ohms a bad ground would give you.
remove the resister from the bike then measure
you'll know for sure

GL

[Courtney]

The resistor was removed from the bike. The big clue that I'm hoping makes the resistor the culprit is that the ignition cuts out after about 10 minutes, yet everything else works fine. The resistor drops the voltage to the coils AFTER about 10 minutes, so if it is failing then after 10 minutes the coil power would be cut off. That's the thought right now anyway. I'd appreciate any other ideas as every other electrical piece has been checked with my multimeter and tests fine.
Court

[nashville_bill]

It is my understanding that the resistor is part of the circuit at all times after the bike has started and used only for starting the motor to give more voltage at that time.

[nashville_bill]

Quote from Shop Manual

Quote from manual:

"The TCI unit incorporates a bypass circuit to bypass the primary coil ballast resistor when the starter is activated, allowing voltage (unresisted) to operate the coils. This provides easier cold starting."

[Courtney]

That's right Bill, so what the heck is killing my ignition circuit completely after 10 minutes???? No way both coils can die together at the same time. Could I just put a 1.6 ohm resistor in place of the one on the bike now to check this? One from Radio Shack maybe??? What amperage would it have to be able to take? Am I lost? Should I buy a Valkerie and ride off into the sunset? Stay tuned folks, we'll be right back, but first, here's a word from our sponsor.

[MartyA]

Court prolly doesn't help much, but I read my ballast and it was 2.3 ohms. Bike runs fine.

[Courtney]

Well thanks for taking the time to test it, that is appreciated!!
Court

[TopCatGr58]

Still possibly bad resistor!

Hey there Court,

Even though you're getting a good reading, cold, after the bike has run for those 10 or so minutes, the resistor could/should build up heat due to it's slowing down of the current thru it, dropping the voltage from 12 to 9 volts, and so "if" the resistor is cracked, then when it heats up enough and expands, it can then completely separate thereby creating a complete SHORT or broken circuit cutting off the coils!? Run the bike till it dies, then test the resistor.....if you get infinity resistance, or O.O, whatever your meter shows when there is not a complete circuit, then you will have proven the resistor bad for sure!!!

This make sense Bud!??

T.C.

[nashville_bill]

I think that if your meter reads "0.0" then there is no resistance, i.e. shorted, as if you had touched the meter leeds together.

[Courtney]

That makes perfect sense T.C. !! Thanks for the input!
Court