RE: Engine trouble [from JPOR: ]

[Mike Borum <Mike.Borum@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Apparently, some ignition systems need a ballast resistor, some don't.  MSD
ignitions would, HEI wouldn't.  Some circuits might use a resistance wire
instead.  The ballast resistor or wire (if you have one) would be connected
between the ingition coil and the distributor.  If you are running a points
distributor, it should be mounted to the firewall.
But, after re-reading your email, I'm going to back off on my suggestion
that the ballast resistor is the problem.  If it were, you would more likely
have trouble keeping the engine running after it caught.  You say that if
will idle, but dies when you press on the accelerator?  That sounds more
like a problem with your exhaust system.  I've heard that a plugged
catalytic convertor can cause that symptom, as someone else who replied to
your email suggested.

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• To: 'B Nelson' <cjtrailrider@xxxxxxxxx>
• Subject: RE: Engine trouble [from JPOR: ]
• From: Chris Waterman <Chris_Waterman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
• Date: Wed, 7 Jun 2000 08:11:56 -0700
• Cc: 'JPOR List' <jeepoffroad@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

****************Please Remember to snip your replies***************

Thanks for your help on this, people.  The cat and ALL the
components of the fuel delivery system are less than a year
old.  What's a ballast resistor, Mike B?

Did some more testing last night (well, okay, I sat in the
supermarket parking lot for half an hour in the pissing rain
waiting for the Jeep to get cold enough that it would start).

When it did start (still a bit warm), it was doing the bogging
thing again.  It would run fine as long as I didn't load it
down at all.  So I was able to drive home in 2wd low range
(low torque, high rpms).  Very slowly - thankfully it wasn't far!

So then I'm thinking that it's acting like it's running real
lean for some reason.  Couldn't find (or hear) any vacuum leaks,
so I unplugged the EGR this morning, and things seem to be a
lot better!  Have to take a real close look at the EGR vacuum
solenoid this afternoon, maybe it's been leaking and turning
the valve full on, injecting tons of exhaust into the cylinders
at idle.  Could get worse at higher temps, for some reason???

Chris (glad to have a working theory, at least)
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