ballast resistor on petrol pump.

[gareth 400v8]

can some one tell me what does the ballast resistor do.also can the contacts on the relays stick or break,even when they look in good condition.basically the petrol pump works off the car but , cant seem to get any power to it,any suggestions what it could be?.

[GV]

Unless I am mistaken - Ballast Resistors are used to reduce the current from one contact to another on separate components. They are primarily used on ignition circuits to cut down the current from the coil to the dizzy or from the ignition to the coil. I'm quite sure they are not used in relation to the fuel pump as the current would be controlled by the relay which in turn is linked to the airflow meter.

When I swapped from Efi to Carbs last year I did not come across a ballast resistor when I had to change fuel pumps.