Triumph Repair: 1972 triumpth spitfire mk 4, mk 4, triumpth

Question
I see that you answered a question as this in the past few months. I seem to be having the same problem with my car. I turn the key to the on position and in just a few minutes I see smoke coming out of the ballast resister. I have a ignition coil on my car now  that says it I've and to be used with a resister. This doesn't seem to right isn't it supposed to have a 6v with a ballast resister. Can I just take the wires off the resister and connect them together and bypass it? or is it better to just get a 6v coil and a new resister? not really sure what to do or even what would be the safest at this point? I don't want to burn up anything. can you please advise...Thanks Mark  

Answer
Hi Mark,
If a coil says to use with a external resister then it must be used with a resister.
The reason external resisters are used is because when you turn the key to the start position and the starter engages there is a voltage drop and 12v is no longer available for the ignition so the ignition switch bypasses the resister to power the coil direct. As soon as the key is released back to the ignition position the switch no longer bypasses the resister and now powers the coil through the resister because there is now 12v available for the ignition.
If you were to by pass the resister and run 12v to a 6v coil you will overheat the coil and maybe burn some wiring.
You need a wiring diagram for your car and a matching coil and resister to be sure you have it correct.
Howard