Testing Electrical Parts

I'm getting ready to rewire the Jeep with a Painless Wiring Kit. Currently the PO has the ingnition switch wired directly to the battery/starter. There are two ballast resistors mounted under the dash and a voltage regulator. Does anyone know how to test these to see if they are still good? Do I even really need to rewire them since they aren't being currently used? I have a little electrical experience, but I have never worked with either of these kinds of parts before. Here's a pic of the parts in question:


Jim

 

I just came to this site today so excuse me if I don't know my way around very well.

For the answer to you question (these are ballast resistors) go to the Early CJ tech section, scan down and choose electrical and read FAQ #2. It will tell you why you need these and how they are meant to work and how to test them.
Eddy

 

This is not as painless as it looks

read the posted link.

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17738

Take it one circuit at at time and quality check one circuit before going to another. It will not take longer, because the extra time putting quality into each circuit will be less than the troublshooting time of the system.

 

Jim if you haven't already purchased the Kit may I suggest an http://www.ezwiring.com/ kit, just as good and at 1/2 the price, the only thing missing is the plug for the ignition switch, I clipped mine and reused it. I just rewired mine back in april, its not super hard but it does require patience, understanding and alot of self confidence even if you've never done something like this, mine came fine out with the exception that somehow I missed a couple of wires and everything works but my rear emergency flashers, need to get them fixed, but right now it is to darn hot out to mess with it.

 

Typically I'd only figure on one ballast resistor to drop voltage to the coil. If you swap to (which I did) or have a Delco Alt, take the voltage regulator off . Delco's have an internal regulator and you won't need it. Cleans up the wiring and the firewall at the same time

 

I got the Painless kit with the '68 I bought and it came with a new resistor. But I guess I
goofed in my first post, because I also wanted to know if I need both. I'll check the Alt. to see if it's a Delco.

Thanks for the links, I always forget about the tech section and I must have overlooked the other in my previous search.

Jim