1977 Dodge Ram Wagon -Battery wiring issue

[BrianBocage69]

Van dies if you take off the positive lead to the battery but thats because the van wont start unless I run a hot lead from the battery to the coil

[It_s-Me]

@BrianBocage69

because the van wont start unless I run a hot lead from the battery to the coil

Sounds like a bad ballast resistor.