Mercedes-Benz 560SEC Ballast Resistor Replacement at your home or office.

Our mobile mechanics offer services 7 days a week. Upfront and transparent pricing.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(7)

Included for free with this service

Online Booking

Mechanic comes to you

12-month / 12k-mile warranty

Free 50 point safety inspection

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to your home or office 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Customer Ratings

(7)

Ballast Resistor Replacement Service

How much does a Ballast Resistor Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Mercedes-Benz 560SEC Ballast Resistor Replacement is $430 with $335 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SECV8-5.6LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$784.53Shop/Dealer Price$969.42 - $1484.70
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SECV8-5.6LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$764.53Shop/Dealer Price$949.45 - $1464.75
1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SECV8-5.6LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$764.53Shop/Dealer Price$949.45 - $1464.75
1991 Mercedes-Benz 560SECV8-5.6LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$764.53Shop/Dealer Price$949.41 - $1464.68
1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SECV8-5.6LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$764.53Shop/Dealer Price$949.47 - $1464.80
1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SECV8-5.6LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$764.53Shop/Dealer Price$949.45 - $1464.75
Show example Mercedes-Benz 560SEC 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.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert Mercedes-Benz mechanics

Real customer reviews from Mercedes-Benz owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(7)

Rating Summary
6
0
0
0
1
6
0
0
0
1

Grzegorz

41 years of experience
473 reviews
Grzegorz
41 years of experience
Mercedes-Benz 560SEC V8-5.6L - Car is not starting - San Francisco, California
He is a really pleasant man,who has a good attention to detail,as it happens there was no way to get the car started, due to what appears to be failed fuel pumps,which is what i suspected. I am 70 years old,fixing it has lost its appeal,and did not have all the tools to fix it with me.Therefore being a mechanic my self in the past, i can only say he knows what he is doing.If the parts were at hand he would have repaired it no problem i'm quite sure,so for me he gets top marks,in all departments. Yours sincerely Barry Vare

Wesley

16 years of experience
277 reviews
Wesley
16 years of experience
Mercedes-Benz 560SEC V8-5.6L - Oil Change - Denver, Colorado
Wesley arrived early and did a great job.

Eugenio

26 years of experience
133 reviews
Eugenio
26 years of experience
Mercedes-Benz 560SEC V8-5.6L - AC is not working - Alexandria, Virginia
great service early and nice

Paul

25 years of experience
273 reviews
Paul
25 years of experience
Mercedes-Benz 560SEC V8-5.6L - Valve Cover Gasket - Las Vegas, Nevada
Paul did work on a older merecedes I own. I thought for sure I was,going to be in for a whole lot of money and be told there wasn't any other thing I could do. I was so wrong. Paul definitely knows his profession. I also couldn't be more pleased about price. My thanks to him and of course Your Mechanic for having a mechanic who knows what to do.

Excellent Rating

(7)

Rating Summary
6
0
0
0
1
6
0
0
0
1
Number of Mercedes-Benz 560SEC services completed
77+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Mercedes-Benz MECHANICS
1100+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

How Long Does a Fuel Injection Line Last?
Most Most car owners are unaware about just how complex their fuel system is. In order for a car to run and operate as intended, many different components will need to work together. The fuel injectors on your car deliver...
How to Register a Car in Alabama
All All vehicles in Alabama need to be registered in order for them to be legal on the roadways. The process is different whether the vehicle was bought from a private seller or dealer, and whether you are a resident...
B1274 OBD-II Trouble Code: Servo Motor Potentiometer Vent Circuit Short to Battery
B1274 means there is an electrical error with the servo motor potentiometer vent circuit, likely due to a faulty potentiometer or servo motor.

Brakes bad and car running rough

Hi, the first thing to do is to figure out why the Check Engine light is on. A certified technician will be able to hook up a computer to the car which will read the DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) which...

RPMs high while driving

The throttle control system is malfunctioning and would need to be tested for codes. The intake system should be checked for any vacuum leaks in the intake hoses. Once the Check Engine Light is tested the codes received will need...

My car makes a sound like it’s an electric car when I push on gas stops when I push on [brake](/topics-brake-dodge/)

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (844) 997-3624 · hi@yourmechanic.com