Urgent MSD Help!

Clois Harlan · #1 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 06:37 AM

Hey guys, here I go again.

Over the last three weeks I have replaced my MSD Box twice, new vibration proof MSD Coil, New Starter switch, New kill switch, new additional ground connections w/ 00 gauge battery ground cable. Again last night I went out to start my Cobra an my starter spins like crazy but it will not fire. So (again) I got out my circuit tester and yep, I am not getting any fire to my coil.

What am I missing? I am tired or replacing parts that probably are not bad. Again here is what I have:

MSD FE Distributor w/ MSD 8.5 mm plug wires
MSD 6AL Ignition mounted above my passenger foot box
MSD Black Vibration Proof Blaster Coil
Battery Kill Switch , Elec Fan Switch, Elec fuel pump switch, and my high and low beam switch also mounted on my dash) all connections are secure and do not shorting out with anything else
MSD Shift light (wired to the ign switch that is getting fire because it lights up when I turn on the key)
I am also using the white wire from my 6AL box for my kill switch

The only two things I have not replaced yet is my distributor and my solenoid.

Could a faulty distributor interrupt the current to my coil? What else can I check?

Quick response would be greatly appreciated. Leaving for Road America next Wednesday.

Thanks for any suggestions,

Clois

Ron61 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 06:55 AM

Clois,

I am not sure if this will help but if you don't get fire to the coil then that can be eliminated. I went through a similiar problem with my Jacobs Pro Street some time ago and finally tracked it down to the trigger lead from the distributor. The lead had a bad connection inside the wire loom so I just cut it out and replaced it and have had no problem since. All the led indicator lights on the module told me I had power there so the only logical thing left was that for some reason it wasn't putting any shot to the coil. I haven't had an MSD unit for quite a while and I know they have changed since my last one. But they still require a trigger to send fire to the coil.

Ron

Bob Putnam · #3 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 07:07 AM

Clois,

Were the other failures first noted when you tried to start the car?

Are you doing anything unusual when you turn the car off? I'm grasping at straws here, but there might be a possibility of a voltage surge at shutdown.

Clois Harlan · #4 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 07:18 AM

Nothnig unusual at shut down. Basically come to a stop and let the engine idle down and then turn off the key after which I turn my battery switch to off and then turn my fuel pump and fan off. I have been doing this for over three years now and never a problem until lately. I hate to sound so dumb but is the trigger you refered to located in the distributor and if so does it get charged from the battery before the coil?

Thanks,

Clois

BPWilliams · #5 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 08:01 AM

Yes,
That is correct the trigger is in the Dist. But, if you have a MSD Dist it should be magnetic, and these are pretty bullit proof! It almost sounds like a wire(ing) problem. I am not sure if you have tried this, but here is the link to MSD. They have a check procedure to validate your components are working fine........
Hope this helps,
Look under the trouble shooting guide,

http://www.msdignition.com

Keep it above 100.................

Brian

jopper · #6 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 08:10 AM

I had the very same problem with my MSD system. At first it was intermittent, then it failed totally. It turned out to be the magnetic pickup winding in the distributor. Here is how I found out.

Magnetic Pickup
in the Distributor
The magnetic pickup in MSD Distributors can also be checked with an Ohm meter to make sure it is within operating specifications. Once again, connect the Ohm meter's leads to the two terminals of the pickup. The resistance should be within 400 - 1,300 ohms. If the resistance is out of this specification, inspect the condition of the wires leading to the pickup for abrasion, shorting or opens. If the wiring is okay, the pickup is at fault.

You can order a new pickup at your local speed shop and install it yourself.

Clois Harlan · #7 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 08:30 AM

Thanks,

I will check my dist tonight. I have located a Magnetic Pick Up at one of our speed shops for about $15 in case I need it.

Clois

vettestr · #8 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 08:38 AM

http://www.msdignition.com/
Hello, I have included the link to MSD. They have one of the best step by step trouble shooting Documents . Go to tech and downloads and then download system you have. Then read the step by step trouble shooting for your individual system.

NeedAntiVenom · #9 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 11:15 AM

Clois,

Two boxes bad in a row is kind of unlikely - but possible. Hopefully the box is not in the engine compartment. Usually its the simple things. Here are a couple easy things to try...

1) Look for a bad crimp on a connector, or a malformed female connector. Look at both the trigger feed and coil feeds.

2) Set your meter on AC volts and look at the violet/green trigger pair at the connector where it goes into the box - you should get a reading when you crank the engine.

Best of Luck,
Jim