Ford Bronco II Ballast Resistor Replacement at your home or office.

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Ballast Resistor Replacement Service

How much does a Ballast Resistor Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Ford Bronco II Ballast Resistor Replacement is $420 with $325 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
1989 Ford Bronco IIV6-2.9LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$764.53Shop/Dealer Price$936.92 - $1431.57
1990 Ford Bronco IIV6-2.9LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$744.53Shop/Dealer Price$916.93 - $1411.60
1987 Ford Bronco IIV6-2.9LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$744.53Shop/Dealer Price$916.93 - $1411.60
1988 Ford Bronco IIV6-2.9LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$744.53Shop/Dealer Price$916.91 - $1411.56
1984 Ford Bronco IIV6-2.8LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$744.53Shop/Dealer Price$916.95 - $1411.63
1986 Ford Bronco IIV6-2.9LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$744.53Shop/Dealer Price$916.93 - $1411.60
1985 Ford Bronco IIV6-2.8LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$749.53Shop/Dealer Price$921.80 - $1416.36
Show example Ford Bronco II Ballast Resistor Replacement prices

What is the Ballast Resistor all about?

Modern ignition systems use electronic circuitry to control voltage during engine starting and operation, but it wasn’t always this way. Older vehicles with points and coils did not have the benefit of circuit boards and computers, so another way to control voltage was needed. The ballast resistor coil was the solution. Think of it as a giant fuse in a way, although it serves a much greater purpose.

The ballast resistor coil plays several roles in your engine and charging system. In terms of position, it’s located between the ignition switch and the positive battery cable. During engine operation, the ballast resistor is responsible for lowering voltage applied to the coil to ensure that it doesn’t overheat and burn out, or damage the battery. During cranking, the ballast resistor allows normal battery voltage into the coil to ensure a good, strong spark for starting the engine.

The ballast resistor is subjected to significant amounts of heat during operation (the resistor’s resistance level increases or decreases with the application of heat and voltage). Over time, it will eventually wear out and need to be replaced.

Keep in mind:

  • The ballast resistor is not inspected during normal maintenance.
  • The ballast resistor is subject to significant amounts of wear and tear.
  • Ballast resistors are not generally found on fuel-injected engines.

How it's done:

  • The Ballast Resistor is verified that it needs to be replaced. The battery and battery tray are removed.
  • The defective Ballast Resistor disconnected and removed.
  • The new Ballast Resistor is installed, secured, and connected.
  • The battery tray and battery are reinstalled. The Ballast Resistor is tested for operation.
  • The vehicle is tested to ensure proper operation of the Ballast Resistor and road tested to ensure fan operation.

Our recommendation:

Over time and through normal use, the ballast resistor is subject to a great deal of wear and tear, and heat. This can cause it to fail unexpectedly. When this happens, your vehicle will experience unwanted, and perhaps dangerous, operation. It may crank but then stop running immediately after. Have any starting problems immediately diagnosed by one of our expert mechanics.

What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Ballast Resistor?

  • Engine cranks, but dies immediately when the key is moved back to the run position from the start position

How important is this service?

Without a ballast resistor, your engine will not operate unless you jump the resistor, which is dangerous, as it will eventually burn out the points, and is not recommended. If your engine dies immediately after turning the key back to run from start, likely the ballast resistor needs to be replaced. If the engine runs with the key in the run position, you may have another issue. Have it properly diagnosed by one of our expert mechanics immediately.

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Meet some of our expert Ford mechanics

Real customer reviews from Ford owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(25)

Rating Summary
22
2
0
0
1
22
2
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1

Raymond

37 years of experience
422 reviews
Raymond
37 years of experience
Ford Bronco II V6-2.8L - Oil/Fluid Leak - Las Vegas, Nevada
Raymond is great with older vehicles.

Ramon

20 years of experience
166 reviews
Ramon
20 years of experience
Ford Bronco II V6-2.9L - Fan Shroud - Tucson, Arizona
Great job as usual

Peter

36 years of experience
346 reviews
Peter
36 years of experience
Ford Bronco II V6-2.9L - Battery Cable Replacement (Positive, Negative) - Tempe, Arizona
Peter was awesome. I know nothing about fixing cars but I have a project Bronco II that I’m working on and I’m having starting issues. He changed out my battery cables and I was still having issues. So Peter diagnosed the problem, which was the starter, and showed me how to change it for when I get the new one. Peter even helped me get the ignition switch off my truck because I was having issues with it. When I run across something I just can’t do, I’m definitely calling Peter again. And Peter was super early.

Colby

14 years of experience
66 reviews
Colby
14 years of experience
Ford Bronco II V6-2.9L - Car is not starting - Denver, Colorado
I was satisfied with colby c. up front honest and professional knowledge on my older ford.

Excellent Rating

(25)

Rating Summary
22
2
0
0
1
22
2
0
0
1
Number of Ford Bronco II services completed
275+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Ford MECHANICS
1700+
experts on our platform

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