$4 Radioshack Dropping Resistor: Help!
06-03-2003, 06:49 PM
#1
Donating Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 405
$4 Radioshack Dropping Resistor: Help!
For all of you who may be trying to tweak your auto tranny to optimal efficiency, I've possibly found a workaround, but need some input.
You may know of the dropping resistor, and have been told to check it (12 ohm). In case you don't know, this is the resistor on the drivers side strut tower. It's on the front of the strut tower.
Well today, I went ahead and purchased some wirewound resistors at radioshack. Exactly like these : http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=271%2D132
I used one 10-ohm and two 1-ohm resistors. I wired them in series, and hooked them into the dropping resistor harness. IT seemed to help out the hard shifting, but there is one problem. The two-1 ohm resistors are getting hot! The 10 ohm is not.
The package says the operating temp for these resistors is -55C to 275C, and supposed to be fireproof. Well, I don't trust the package. I mean, I didn't use a temp probe on them, but they were hot. Not hot enough to sear my finger, but I don't trust my rig as of yet. The main question is, should these 1 ohm resistors be running that hot...is it safe? Anyone have experience in this area, help!
You may know of the dropping resistor, and have been told to check it (12 ohm). In case you don't know, this is the resistor on the drivers side strut tower. It's on the front of the strut tower.
Well today, I went ahead and purchased some wirewound resistors at radioshack. Exactly like these : http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=271%2D132
I used one 10-ohm and two 1-ohm resistors. I wired them in series, and hooked them into the dropping resistor harness. IT seemed to help out the hard shifting, but there is one problem. The two-1 ohm resistors are getting hot! The 10 ohm is not.
The package says the operating temp for these resistors is -55C to 275C, and supposed to be fireproof. Well, I don't trust the package. I mean, I didn't use a temp probe on them, but they were hot. Not hot enough to sear my finger, but I don't trust my rig as of yet. The main question is, should these 1 ohm resistors be running that hot...is it safe? Anyone have experience in this area, help!
06-03-2003, 07:00 PM
#3
Member who somehow became The President of The SE-L Club
iTrader: (19)
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,033
10+1+1=12
So you wired 12 Ohms in series with the already 12 Ohm resistor making the total resistance 24 Ohms. Your shifting should be very slow at this point. The reason the 1 Ohm resistors are getting hot is because they are probably not rated for the current thats going through them. It has nothing to do with their operating temp range.
I suspect if your car is still not shifting correctly, you have some issues with the valve body. get it checked out, your only trying to mask a developing problem.
So you wired 12 Ohms in series with the already 12 Ohm resistor making the total resistance 24 Ohms. Your shifting should be very slow at this point. The reason the 1 Ohm resistors are getting hot is because they are probably not rated for the current thats going through them. It has nothing to do with their operating temp range.
I suspect if your car is still not shifting correctly, you have some issues with the valve body. get it checked out, your only trying to mask a developing problem.
06-03-2003, 07:27 PM
#5
Donating Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 405
njmax: I disconnected the OEM resistor from the wiring harness. I hooked my rig directly in the harness. So total right now is 12 ohms. 10+1+1 ohms like you said. The resistors are supposed to be rated at 10 Watts (including the 10 ohm resistor). They are fairly large resistors, 2x.5x.5 inch bricks. Why does a 10ohm resistor with a 10W rating not get hot, as opposed to a 1 ohm resistor rated at 10W's getting hot. Hmmmmm...Same size and manufacturer.
Any write-ups on the valve body? I read some things on valve body mods, so I hope it may not be that inaccessible without pulling the tranny. If I pull it, might as well throw a used one in with 31K miles for cheap. Though I'd rather kill this tranny first before doing it (has 215K miles on it).
mzmtg: It's 12 ohms. Mine was reading around 11.8 - 11.9 ohms. But maybe I'll try running at 13-20 ohms, to eliminate tearing up the tranny.
To Note: It's not excessive hard shifting from 1st to 2nd, but I can't push it through all the gears like I'd want to. I have to hit the gas in 1st to around 3K rpms, then pull of the peddle, let it shift, then push the gas after that. No harshness after 2nd.
Any write-ups on the valve body? I read some things on valve body mods, so I hope it may not be that inaccessible without pulling the tranny. If I pull it, might as well throw a used one in with 31K miles for cheap. Though I'd rather kill this tranny first before doing it (has 215K miles on it).
mzmtg: It's 12 ohms. Mine was reading around 11.8 - 11.9 ohms. But maybe I'll try running at 13-20 ohms, to eliminate tearing up the tranny.
To Note: It's not excessive hard shifting from 1st to 2nd, but I can't push it through all the gears like I'd want to. I have to hit the gas in 1st to around 3K rpms, then pull of the peddle, let it shift, then push the gas after that. No harshness after 2nd.
06-03-2003, 07:47 PM
#6
Donating Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 405
Ah crap...noticed that it wasn't the 1 ohm resistor overheating. It may be just the 10 ohm one(which is 1st in series). I will have to test again to isolate which one it is. Word to the wise: Don't drink and tinker. 
I may have to put it last in series to reduce the heat.
I may have to put it last in series to reduce the heat.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hez8813
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
11
03-12-2020 12:06 AM
maxima-junky
4th Generation Classifieds (1995-1999)
1
10-07-2015 06:13 PM
ballerchris510
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
17
09-23-2015 08:46 PM