Club Cobra Keith Craft Racing  

Go Back   Club Cobra > Manufacturers, Engine Builders, tools, and parts. > ERA---Speak with Bob Putnam

Keith Craft Racing
Nevada Classics
MMG Superformance
Main Menu
Module Jump:
Nevada Classics
Nevada Classics
MMG Superformance
MMG Superformance
Advertise at CC
Banner Ad Rates
Keith Craft Racing
MMG Superformance
March 2024
S M T W T F S
          1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31            
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 07-22-2004, 08:12 PM
joea's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Oceanside, CA
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #676, 428SCJ (2x4), TKOII
Posts: 642
Not Ranked     
Default Electrical Test + MSD = No Power at coil

I just hooked up my battery and have been testing all the electrical components. Verified lights, horn, fans, and the tach output at the MSD box. However I can't verify I have power at the coil. I turned the key to the "ON" position and checked the terminals at the coil....0.0v

Am I doing something wrong? I should get a reading there with the ignition in the "ON" position correct?
__________________




"There are 10 types of people out there....the ones that understand binary and the zeros that don't."
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 07-22-2004, 08:32 PM
joea's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Oceanside, CA
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #676, 428SCJ (2x4), TKOII
Posts: 642
Not Ranked     
Default

I just checked power going into the MSD...12.5v
I checked power to the white wire for the "Kill Switch" 3.9v (that ok?)
__________________




"There are 10 types of people out there....the ones that understand binary and the zeros that don't."
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 07-22-2004, 08:40 PM
G.R.'s Avatar
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Evans, CO
Cobra Make, Engine: NAF 289 FIA, 347 stroker with Weber 48's, building a '48 Anglia gasser, driving a '55 Chevy resto-rod
Posts: 3,119
Send a message via Yahoo to G.R.
Not Ranked     
Default

Until the engine is turned over and the MSD box is "Hot" there won't be a voltage reading at the coil. Just turning the switch on won't show voltage at the coil.
I have all MSD ignition and encountered the same--called the tech-line and they confirmed it--as long as you wired everything per direction you should be able to turn over the engine and it will fire up--you'll then have voltage at the coil.
__________________
"Breathe in... Breathe out... then move on with life. Lifes too short to sweat the small stuff"
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 07-22-2004, 08:44 PM
G.R.'s Avatar
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Evans, CO
Cobra Make, Engine: NAF 289 FIA, 347 stroker with Weber 48's, building a '48 Anglia gasser, driving a '55 Chevy resto-rod
Posts: 3,119
Send a message via Yahoo to G.R.
Not Ranked     
Default

3.9v at kill switch(white wire)is about right. You will have voltage reading at the box with ignition on.
__________________
"Breathe in... Breathe out... then move on with life. Lifes too short to sweat the small stuff"
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 07-22-2004, 08:44 PM
joea's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Oceanside, CA
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #676, 428SCJ (2x4), TKOII
Posts: 642
Not Ranked     
Default

Whew! Thanks for the help. Time to fill the fluids and I'll probably try to turn her over tomorrow.
__________________




"There are 10 types of people out there....the ones that understand binary and the zeros that don't."
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 07-22-2004, 08:46 PM
joea's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Oceanside, CA
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #676, 428SCJ (2x4), TKOII
Posts: 642
Not Ranked     
Default

"You will have voltage reading at the box with ignition on."

What do you mean by this? If I have a reading at the switch that means the switch is "ON" correct (sorry if that is a dumb question)
__________________




"There are 10 types of people out there....the ones that understand binary and the zeros that don't."
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 07-22-2004, 08:52 PM
G.R.'s Avatar
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Evans, CO
Cobra Make, Engine: NAF 289 FIA, 347 stroker with Weber 48's, building a '48 Anglia gasser, driving a '55 Chevy resto-rod
Posts: 3,119
Send a message via Yahoo to G.R.
Not Ranked     
Default

Quote:
Originally posted by joea


I just checked power going into the MSD...12.5v

It's ok--what I meant was you are showing voltage going to the MSD ignition(box)that's a good sign 'cuz it should show voltage going there
__________________
"Breathe in... Breathe out... then move on with life. Lifes too short to sweat the small stuff"
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 07-22-2004, 08:58 PM
G.R.'s Avatar
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Evans, CO
Cobra Make, Engine: NAF 289 FIA, 347 stroker with Weber 48's, building a '48 Anglia gasser, driving a '55 Chevy resto-rod
Posts: 3,119
Send a message via Yahoo to G.R.
Not Ranked     
Default

Best of luck on the "birth"
__________________
"Breathe in... Breathe out... then move on with life. Lifes too short to sweat the small stuff"
Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 07-22-2004, 09:06 PM
joea's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Oceanside, CA
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #676, 428SCJ (2x4), TKOII
Posts: 642
Not Ranked     
Default

Thanks :-)
__________________




"There are 10 types of people out there....the ones that understand binary and the zeros that don't."
Reply With Quote
  #10 (permalink)  
Old 07-22-2004, 09:24 PM
Banned
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Yorba Linda, CA
Cobra Make, Engine: SPF w/392CI stroker
Posts: 3,293
Not Ranked     
Default

Light her up!!!
Reply With Quote
  #11 (permalink)  
Old 07-23-2004, 08:23 PM
G.R.'s Avatar
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Evans, CO
Cobra Make, Engine: NAF 289 FIA, 347 stroker with Weber 48's, building a '48 Anglia gasser, driving a '55 Chevy resto-rod
Posts: 3,119
Send a message via Yahoo to G.R.
Not Ranked     
Default Joea

Does it run yet?
__________________
"Breathe in... Breathe out... then move on with life. Lifes too short to sweat the small stuff"
Reply With Quote
  #12 (permalink)  
Old 07-24-2004, 07:08 AM
joea's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Oceanside, CA
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #676, 428SCJ (2x4), TKOII
Posts: 642
Not Ranked     
Default

It is 7:15 AM....waiting for the neighbors to wake up before I turn the key....then again I know another way to wake them up!

I'll report back later today
__________________




"There are 10 types of people out there....the ones that understand binary and the zeros that don't."
Reply With Quote
  #13 (permalink)  
Old 07-24-2004, 11:47 PM
joea's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Oceanside, CA
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #676, 428SCJ (2x4), TKOII
Posts: 642
Not Ranked     
Default

Can someone verify that my MSD setup with the ERA Harness is correct....

1) Connected #43 wires together
2) MSD Heavy red to "BAT" terminal on circuit breaker
3) MSD Heavy Black to chasis ground
4) MSD small red to #40 white
5) MSD small white to #40 orange
6) MSD orange to coil +
7) MSD black to coil -
8) MSG white (kill wire) left unconnected at the moment

I am running the MSD Capacitor between the Heavy Red and Black connections (I see 12.5V at RED)
__________________




"There are 10 types of people out there....the ones that understand binary and the zeros that don't."
Reply With Quote
  #14 (permalink)  
Old 07-25-2004, 04:29 AM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: New Britain, CT
Cobra Make, Engine: Size 10 Feet
Posts: 2,993
Not Ranked     
Default

See http://www.erareplicas.com/427man/wiring/msd.htm for wiring and installation hints.
Reply With Quote
  #15 (permalink)  
Old 07-25-2004, 04:36 AM
daltondavid's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Newtown Square (West of Phila.), Pa
Cobra Make, Engine: 1967 GT 350 #2264
Posts: 407
Not Ranked     
Default

My MSD box Died on me sitting in the garage 2 months ago. My neighbor's did the same thing 3 weeks before. Sent it back to MSD 3 weeks and $38.00 dollars later it came back and the car runs! I only had about 1000 miles on the Box itself. Ran fine when I parked the car. just did not want to start a week later.
__________________
www.saacforum.com
Reply With Quote
  #16 (permalink)  
Old 07-26-2004, 08:14 AM
joea's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Oceanside, CA
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #676, 428SCJ (2x4), TKOII
Posts: 642
Not Ranked     
Default

It is looking like I have a bad MSD unit (brand new). I've been over and over the wiring. I am only seeing .009v at the tach wire and MSD tech support says this is OK (Bob's docs sat you ned 1-1.5 v) . Either way I have no spark and no voltage at the small red wire from the MSD. MSD tech said to try a different coil (mine is a brand new Pertronix Flame Thrower II) otherwise the box is probably bad. I'll try a different coil but I'm 99% sure that is not the problem since I see no voltage at the small red wire (should see battery voltage here when the ignition is "ON"). I'll try to send the unit back to Summitt...using MSG Warranty services will take too long.

I probably should test resistance on the fuse...need to find which one it is.
__________________




"There are 10 types of people out there....the ones that understand binary and the zeros that don't."
Reply With Quote
  #17 (permalink)  
Old 07-26-2004, 09:21 AM
Ron61's Avatar
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Shasta Lake, CA
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 26,552
Not Ranked     
Post

Joea,

It is really starting to sound as if your MSD box could be bad. You can definately elimate the coil by just taking any coil that you may be using in another car and hooking it in there for a test. And you have checked the wiring so many times that I doubt if there is a problem there. Is there anyone else close by that uses the MSD ignition like yours that you could go take a look at to compare?

Ron
__________________
Ron 61
Ronnie Widener


View my Miscellaneous Gallery
Reply With Quote
  #18 (permalink)  
Old 07-26-2004, 09:40 AM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Small Town, IN
Cobra Make, Engine: Kirkham, Pond Aluminum 482FE
Posts: 349
Not Ranked     
Default

Joe A,

I don't understand you not having 12V on the little red wire when the ignition is on. That should come directly off of the ignition (or maybe through a fuse if you wired it that way). Is the unit turning on (humming)? If not, I wonder if you have it coming off the right place on your ignition switch. Have you pulled the little red wire off and verified that you have 12V at the switch where you are hooking it up? If you don't, you won't have 12V to a new MSD box, either!

Just realized that you are using your car's wiring going to the little red wire...either way, I'd trace that back and see if it is ever getting 12V to it. If you don't get that, you're never turning the unit on. Possibly just bypass the car wiring and go directly to the ignition switch and see (should be long enough, unless you cut it).

I just have a feeling the unit is never getting switched on through your ignition, and therefore you would have basically zero volts everywhere except the big red wire (which is what it sounds like you have).

Joe

Last edited by HotRodJoe; 07-26-2004 at 09:54 AM..
Reply With Quote
  #19 (permalink)  
Old 07-26-2004, 09:48 AM
Ron61's Avatar
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Shasta Lake, CA
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 26,552
Not Ranked     
Post

Joea,

Hot Rod Joe has a good point. My Jacob's uses basically the same wiring patttern and my small red wire I have wired to a switched 12V point. When I turn on the switch, it has 12V on it. Plus the Jacobs has leds that light for input and output. At least my older one does. The new one doesn't have them.

Ron
__________________
Ron 61
Ronnie Widener


View my Miscellaneous Gallery
Reply With Quote
  #20 (permalink)  
Old 07-26-2004, 10:18 AM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: New Britain, CT
Cobra Make, Engine: Size 10 Feet
Posts: 2,993
Not Ranked     
Default

The small red wire from the MSD connects to the power wire that went from the ignition to the coil in a points-distributor system. If there isn't 12V at that red wire connection, there is a problem in the harness or the ignition switch. Don't throw away the MSD yet.

Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:41 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
The representations expressed are the representations and opinions of the clubcobra.com forum members and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and viewpoints of the site owners, moderators, Shelby American, any other replica manufacturer, Ford Motor Company. This website has been planned and developed by clubcobra.com and its forum members and should not be construed as being endorsed by Ford Motor Company, or Shelby American or any other manufacturer unless expressly noted by that entity. "Cobra" and the Cobra logo are registered trademarks for Ford Motor Co., Inc. clubcobra.com forum members agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyrighted material is owned by you. Although we do not and cannot review the messages posted and are not responsible for the content of any of these messages, we reserve the right to delete any message for any reason whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold us harmless with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s). Thank you for visiting clubcobra.com. For full policy documentation refer to the following link: CC Policy
Links monetized by VigLink