Possible MSD Ignition Issue

Hammer65 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 12:24 AM

Talked to the mechanic who did the install and he knows of a couple of times when customers left the ignition on and, as he says it. "cooked the coil". I replaced the coil and still have nothing. Checked the voltage on the leads going to the coil without them being attached and read 10.6 volts with the ignitoon on.

Next step, talk to him again and see if I can avoid having to take it to the dealer for repairs.

More to follow and thanks for the help.

RICK LAKE · #2 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 04:16 AM

Hammer65 Send the box back to MSD and let them repair it. You might have burnt out the curcuit board from the heat build up in the capacitors. They stay fully charged with not where to discharge too. If you have a speed shop in the area, go buy another box and hook it up. I welded on my frame of the car without unhooking the MSD box and smoked it. MSD Gave me another new box. I have 2 new ones and a good used one from a swap meet. The distributor is complete and new also. IMO it's better to have this stuff in a tool kit and not need it that be stuck at the track with no parts. Rick L.

Blas · #3 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 06:28 AM

Have you tested the mag pickup? It's a simple resistance test. Just disconnect the 2 wires (noting which is which) and check it...Simple.

Rick Parker · #4 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 07:21 AM

Have you checked by using a jumper wire after disconnecting the distributor? OR have you measured the OHM rating of the module within the distributor? Those two procedures will pinpoint your problem.

GreenSnakeDoc · #5 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 09:13 AM

I'm fed up with MSD and their 6A box, which is failed twice in 2000 miles. Box is mounted on the firewall, but both failures occurred when the outside temperature was 75 degrees F. The first time, I merely started the car and backed it out of the garage. Poof! Engine died. The second time, I took it for a short run of about 5 miles. Poof again. This time, I was smart enough to mount some spade terminals so I could switch around a couple wires while disconnecting the MSD black and orange wires. The engine started right up so I could drive home. Maybe this is just a bum box; however, I don't plan on sending it back to MSD again so they can charge me $150 to fix. Are any of the other copycat boxes any good?