apon further inspection it seems somehow the wires to the power switch burned up thats what was sparking and making the burning smell i actually will be able to repair it also the inside of this ballast was filled with dog hair in the fans im going to take apart the other two ballasts and give them a good cleaningTake the cover off and make sure that there is not an insect or mouse nest in there that is causing the burning smell. Worth a shot before you trash it.