With that said, I've used an MSD 6AL for a while, and it did help out the idle. I used to think the same, but proof is in the multiple dyno graphs . just a thought. Make sure the wire is away from any fuel supply or fumes as you’re going to be causing a spark to jump from the wire to ground. Took the truck on a small little road trip to get some firewood … Increased power at the plug gap improves the combustion process of the fuel mixture which in turn improves the efficiency of the engine and performance. Just thinking out loud, looking for possible causes of what I think may be misfire. Since the factory wiring is no longer connected to the coil, an interruption in the voltage could cause the engine to try to fire, then fail and try to catch again. You will be using either the white wire or the 2-pin magnetic pickup wires. Note: MSD offers Ignition Controls for odd-fire 6-cylinder engines: 6A, PN 6246 and the 6T, PN 6446. © 2020 Holley Read More, Did you know that Holley started out making automobiles and motorcycles? Results Using The New Version Digital MSD 6A & 6AL April 25, 2012, 10:41 AM. Hi, I have a MSD 6A ignition in my -67 Camaro. Every … So lets say that I have a rotor phasing issue. This process should trigger the MSD sending a spark to the coil and out the coil wire. To lengthen the wires, use one size bigger gauge i also had to get a msd #8910 eis for my check engine light to not come on. MSD supplies a white wire from the 6A box that triggers the box when using a points-triggered distributor. Next, have someone crank the engine over while checking for voltage as well. The paired black and orange wires are the ONLY wires that will be connected to the coil terminals (black to negative, orange to positive). (Make sure the car is in park and all wires are clear of the fan and any moving parts.). The battery needs to be fully charged and in good health, then check the MSD connections to the battery positive terminal as well as the ground. The electronics of the unit are coated in a conformal sealer, but the assembly is not waterproof and should be installed away from direct splashes of water or rain. One of most popular CD ignitions available is the MSD 6A series. Gap isn't going to cause misfire with the CD ignition, especially at idle. All Rights Reserved. Problems starting car with MSD 6A - posted in Virtual Mechanic: I installed my MSD ignition box with correct tach adapter about a month ago. After checking the connection and terminal condition, use a volt meter to check for 12 volts with the key in the on position. Without cranking the engine, turn the key to the on position then take the paperclip and short the violet wire to the green wire of the 2-pin connector over and over. Have read that a MSD ignition … Braided wires are correct. The 6A is designed to be installed under the hood but is recommended to be mounted away from direct heat sources such as the exhaust system. I had a msd 6a in my 82 and it was flawless. Holley has been the undisputed leader in fuel systems for over 100 years. It has a 327ci/210HP engine modified with an Edelbrock Performer intake, 4-bbl Rochester QuadraJet, Hooker headers and a 2.5" Magnaflow exhaust system as the only modifications as far as I know. It is best to route this harness away from the two coil wires and any spark plug wires. Holley carburetors have powered every NASCAR® Cup team and nearly every NHRA® Pro–Stock champion for four decades. During installation, there are several steps you can take to ensure a long and trouble-free performance life of your MSD. WiRiNg. Wires are stock OEM braidied wires and the plugs were gapped at 0.040. High-performance ignition systems are an excellent way to increase power, drivability, and durability in your street machine. It's the solid core that are warned against as causing problems. Your troubleshooting should always start with the battery terminal connections while confirming the condition of the battery. I installed an MSD 6AL2 programmable ignition and am having a terrible misfire after the engine has started. I have the same MSD set-up you have. Just for fun switch the wires on the mag pickup. To lengthen the wires, use one size bigger gauge wire (10 gauge for It very well could be the same issue with the second box. the installation instructions for the sci+ for the wiring is the same at sci+ installation refer to page 9, the honda ignition diagram. ... MSD boxes don't cause much problems for timing lights. The plugs and wires look fine. It’s a very useful tool if you have rpm activated switches or to check timing curves and functions. Try a flat spark table at 15 degrees retard for all RPM. I installed an MSD 6AL2 programmable ignition and am having a terrible misfire after the engine has started. Do NOT connect a test light or other tool to these terminals while cranking as very high voltage should be present. I went out for a test drive and I couldn't tell any difference (not expecting much noticeable performance difference anyway). Pull the coil wire off the distributor and plug in a spark plug. The problem is it takes a lot of turns of the motor now to start the car. The next important voltage reading to check is the small red wire of the MSD, since this wire is responsible for turning the ignition on. In this video, Ray installs MSD Pro 600 and MSD Cam Sync Distributor in his Supercharged Small Block Ford for the ultimate in coil-near-plug ignition power! Also in Tools, Shop Equipment & Chemicals -. Simply remove the coil wire from the distributor and position it so that it will show a spark from the coil wire to ground on the engine. i know i should have soldered it and i think i have an fluctuating voltage going to the box. I second bench testing it. Bad spark plug wires are another common cause of misfires. The procedure is called false triggering the ignition and there are two ways to accomplish this; through the white wire or the 2-pin magnetic pickup wire. Next, turn the ignition to the on position (no cranking) then take the white wire and tap it to ground several times. the wires inside my distributor were blue to the pick-up and black to the coil. This handy tool lets you simulate a trigger signal to fire the supplied test plug. ELECTRONIC IGNITION, MSD 6A - IG-206. Simple checks that can be made to identify a misfire caused by a fuel delivery problem include checking the injectors and fuel pressure. It is very important to check for 12 volts on this wire when the key in on (in the run position) as well as during cranking. I would check the ohms at your mag pick-up. Running it along a fender well or the block creates a ground plain for the harness to reduce any electrical interference. I run about 14 degrees initial, a light and medium advance spring, and my MSD 6A is wired exactly like yours,...remove the four pin module, etc,...I DO have an adjustable vacuum advance that is limited, and you may be having problems with overall advance due to excessive centifugal and vacuum … This ignition works on modified street machines, trucks or street rods. The Digital 6A and 6AL have a built in reverse polarity protection circuit. Testing the box is simple. Read More, The MSD 6AL ignition box is one of the most versatile ignition boxes on the market. In fact, each ignition is run under load on a test stand for over two hours to ensure full operation. Wire Length: All of the wires of the MSD Ignition may be shortened as long as quality connectors are used or soldered in place. Pelican Parts Catalog for Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, MINI and More. It has some (tentative) advantage of being a capacitive discharge system, so it can give hotter spark, longer spark,or multiple sparks. Trademarks belong to their respective owners. I am in need of a new MSD ignition box and I have seen conflicting reports of problems with slow cranking no spark issues and voltage sensitivity with the new Digital 6A (6401) and the 6AL (6425). A spark is going to jump from the wire to ground, so make sure there is no fuel sources or residue near-by. Intermittent issues can generally be tracked down to a faulty ground or loose connection and if you have trouble starting your engine, there are easy steps to take to confirm the operation of your ignition. however i noticed that type of msd many time having problem or burned component inside, then i research the problems and find thats all problems of msd damaging process begins from 2 little condensators ( tantalum 2.2uf ). Facts that may or may not be relevant : I run an MSD 6A ignition, 6 mos old NGK plug wires, NGK plugs, stock heat range, overgapped to .045-.050, and an MSD blaster 2 coil, which is about 3 years old and kinda beat up looking (this is one suspect).Last I checked, compression was good and even at 120-125 psi … I also wanted the rev-limiter. The MSD Pro 600 was designed to have seamless integration with Holley EFI systems! Problems with the ignition system can definitely cause misfiring, and they can do so in a number of ways. Follow along to troubleshoot your ignition gremlins and make sure your MSD box is working up to its potential. If there is still no spark and all the connections and voltages check okay, the issue points at the MSD box and you should send the unit to the MSD Customer Support team. tomposthuma. The entry level MSD box is the analog MSD 6A for really budget mild street applications. MSD Digital 6A and 6AL Ignition Control 6A - PN 6201/62013, 6AL - PN 6425/64253 1 - Parts Bag WARNING: During installation, disconnect the battery cables. This is the heavy gauge red wire paired with a matching size (10-gauge) ground wire. I have heard that people have had trouble with MSD ignitions burning up ignition related parts such as the rotor. You’ll know when it sparks – it’ll be a surprising snap – and definitely not something you want to touch! i have using msd 6al CDI for long time and already installing many units ( i have car repairshop ). I have reason to believe that my MSD box is giving me a misfire at about 3000 - 4500 rpms. I have a Proform HEI distributor that i converted to use MSD by removing the 4 pin module and using the 2 magnetic pick up wires. If not, you better get one! This is one is a little less popular, having a large external box to take up space in the engine bay, and being more expensive. The car was driving fine prior to MSD 6a ignition when 12volt ignition wired directly to the +coil and distributor wired to the positive+ and negative_ of the coil. Another connection that should be scrutinized prior to installation is the switched 12 volt source wire for the small gauge red wire. When it is varying like this I can hear the motor sound good and bad as it fluctuates. Possible causes of ignition-related misfires. If you’re not using the negative terminal for ground (which is the preferred method), make sure your ground source is clean, tight and there’s a path from the engine to the chassis and to the battery. i am going to install MSD 8.5 wires on it and put on an accel high performance cap and rotor As a result, Spark plugs, ignition cables, distributor cap and rotor, and ignition coil wear over time.Hence, their ability to transfer the needed spark to ignite the air/fuel mixture inside the combustion chambers becomes compromised. If the system isn’t working correctly, the engine will misfire on one or more cylinders. If it test out ok then it would be a good idea to run the grounds to the frame instead of the body. MSD has always built the 6A series of ignitions to be as robust as possible. There are different models available that all have unique features and accessories. Remove the coil wire from the distributor cap and place it about ½” from ground. also i was wondering, could the problem be my distibutor. If not, check the battery connections and the battery itself. Remember, these units have a one year warranty, plus most of the 6A series can be rebuilt so it’s worth sending the unit in after you’ve taken the proper steps and checks. There are several other simple installation tips for the rest of the wires. An MSD must be connected directly to the positive battery terminal to ensure that its transformer and capacitor receive a direct 12 volt power supply. Read More. What can be done to fix it? Never had to use them. Also where the 2 wires from the msd go to the wiring harness need to be solid. Ideally, the ground wire would also be connected to the battery, but it can also go to the engine block or chassis ground – but make sure there is a quality engine-to-frame ground strap. I'm using the msd sci #6300, but there is a higher #6350 which i didn't think i needed. Also it won't start while the key is in the farthest position. The only two wires connected to the coil are the Orange and Black wire from the MSD. An ignition system problem is one of the most common reasons for an engine to misfire. Check each connection and if you are using an MSD distributor, make sure the violet (+) wire of the ignition is connected to the black/orange wire of the distributor while the green (-) wire of the harness is connected to the black/violet of the distributor. Many applications experience a voltage drop during cranking which will cause a no start situation. Are you sure the wires to the MSD trigger from your distributor or crank trigger are not backwards? I’ve run into some problems trying to get the MSD 6a ignition to spark. MSD 6A. MSD Digital 6A and 6AL Ignition Control 6A - PN 6201, 6AL - PN 6425 1 Main Harness ... causing crossfire which can result in misfire. The MSD Ignition features a capacitor which is quickly charged with 520 - 535 volts and stores it until ... MSD Digital 6A and 6AL Ignition Control. 350 MisFire / BackFire. They do more than simply provide part of of centrifugal advance. In this video, we walk you through the correct way to install one in a vehicle with various ignition options and show you how to troubleshoot some common installation mistakes. These wires will never be used at the same time and care should be taken in routing the trigger wires, especially the mag pickup harness. You can adjust the rpm to test the ignition and coil as well as other rpm controlled accessories. The MSD 6A is the base model of the capacitive multiple spark discharge 6 Series design. MSD summed up for us on their educational site what is exactly happening within the ignition process: A typical (meaning stock) 12-volt automotive ignition system operates by taking in a low voltage with high current from the car’s battery and changing it into a higher voltage with lower current to jump the spark plug gap to propagate combustion in the cylinder. A multimeter is an essential tool to any automotive electrical diagnostic test. Any luck with this? Remember, the voltage from the MSD needs to go through the windings of the coil to build up a higher voltage so the coil could also be at fault. Hi guys, Hoping you can help..... I’ve just recently purchased the MSD 6a ignition system and wired it in as per specs in the manual. When it starts it runs great. My money is on a rotor phasing problem; especially since you effectively locked the weights. Once the unit is mounted, it’s time to focus on the wiring. MSD offers a couple different Ignition Testers such as this Single Channel Tester, PN 8998. Thankfully, there’s a simple way to trick the ignition into sending a spark to the coil which confirms that it is wired correctly and working properly. Before getting into those steps, let’s review a few installation tips to confirm the system is installed properly and for best operation. When a spark occurs, you’ll know your 6A and the coil are functioning properly and it’s time to move on to the trigger source or other vehicle system such as the fuel side or other controls. 6A - PN 6201, 6AL - PN 6425 1 - Parts Bag. You need to confirm 12 volts during cranking. I don't have a 6AL, I have a 6A, and it runs perfect with my HEI and vacuum advance setup. This is very important as on a lot of older vehicles there was a bypass that supplied higher voltage to the coil during cranking to assist in cold starts. One common question in regards to MSD Ignition controls is “Why isn’t 12V power on the orange (COIL +) wire?” The main reason 12V won’t be present at coil + is because your MSD ignition is a Capacitive Discharge Ignition. Though MSD builds these ignitions to be as heavy-duty as possible, there are still times when it may be necessary to check out your ignition system to confirm everything is working as it should. Easiest way to see if the box is to take it out of the circuit electrically. If you trigger the MSD through the 2-pin magnetic pickup harness, you’ll need a paperclip or a bare piece of wire. Advertisement. Reconnect the original ignition wiring. The rotor is the NAPA non resistor rotor and brand new cap. (Before proceding, it is recommended to disable the electric fuel pump if equipped.). That said, if you’ve experienced an issue or no-start situation, there are several items you can easily troubleshoot to assist in determining if the ignition is at fault, or move on to another system on your vehicle. A lot of coils are replaced unnecessarily because problems like these are overlooked or misdiagnosed. Low coil output can also be caused by a faulty ignition module or a faulty coil driver circuit inside the PCM. I'm using a 10 amp fuse. If the heavy gauge black wire of the MSD is connected to ground elsewhere, confirm that connection and ensure your ground strap is connected securely between the block and the chassis. The tester simply connects to a 12 volt source and ground plus is supplied with a clip-on test plug that puts a small load on the coil that connects to ground. Depending on your application, either tap the white wire to ground on and off to trigger the ignition or short the violet and green wires on and off. 29K 272. tomposthuma. This type of problem will only get worse and may soon lead to even greater problems if the coolant leak isn’t fixed. This can be prevented by drilling a couple vent holes in Is there a good, heavy gauge ground strap from the engine to the frame and to the battery? Mounting the ignition, routing of the wires and using high quality terminals for each connection are important. The ignition system is responsible for igniting fuel in the engine's combustion chamber. In your application, the white wire is not used. Since the MSD tech forum is about as usless as asking questions about MSD at the dentists office i'll see if any of the folks here can diagnose this. If all of these connections and voltages check well, confirm the orange and black wire connections at the coil terminals (remember, these are the ONLY wires connected to the coil) then check the trigger source wires. This Tester, PN 8998, simulates a trigger signal on the mag pickup or white wire of the MSD and has a digital read out allowing you to ‘control’ the rpm. I put my MSD 6A ignition box and the MSD coil on the other day. These wires are carrying over 480 volts so be cautious of touching or connecting any wires while the engine is running. MSD ignition problems MSD ignition problems. The powerful multiple sparks of the MSD 6A ensures complete combustion. It’s easy to use and very helpful when it comes to confirming the operation of the ignition system. If your having problems with idle running .035 on a stock motor then I would look into other possible problems. Both of these ignitions are easy to install on nearly any 4, 6 or 8-cylinder engine running a distributor. Troubleshooting your MSD Ignition can easily be accomplished as explained earlier, but if you’re looking for a better way to confirm the operation of the coil, ignition and much more, MSD offers an easy to use hand held Ignition Tester. WIRING GENERAL WIRING INFORMATION Wire Length: All of the wires of the MSD Ignition may be shortened as long as quality connectors are used or soldered in place. You can get away with swapping most any standard coil just to confirm this test. 29K 272. The company that is famous for their fuel system components cranked out horseless carriages and motor-driven cycles at the dawn of the age of the automobile.Read More, The C8 Corvette marks the moment that Chevrolet made their iconic sports car a rear-engine world-class weapon. Sometimes, installation errors or mishaps can cause issues that prevent them from working properly. MSD works, but I have seen some people with problems. Generally, it will be connected to the wire that used to go to the coil’s positive terminal. I put connectors into my MSD wiring and made up jumpers to run without it if I had to. geNerAL WIrINg INFOrMATION. This can be prevented by drilling a couple vent holes in ... A poor ground connection can cause many frustrating problems. First thing to check is the status of the LED on the housing of the MSD. Quote. Every Ignition Has Two Sides. You may be requesting advance that falls off the edge of the rotor onto a neighboring cylinder... causing a misfire which will be indicated on the wideband as air to fuel flying about. Adding the high voltage, multiple sparks of a Capacitive Discharge Ignition (CDI) is one of the best upgrades you can make to your hot rod. Turn the ignition on, and tap the white wire to ground. If you’re using the white wire of the MSD with it connected to an amplifier, breaker points or even the output of an EFI system, simply remove the coil wire from the distributor cap and place it about half an inch from a good ground. But...what if a drag racer were to use that rearward weight for their benefit? Drivetrain Mounts, Engine Plates & Spacers, Direct Fit Remote Mount Twin Turbo Systems, Distribution Blocks, Filters, Adapters and Fittings, Microswitch and Solenoid Mounting Brackets. When a wire is specified Ignition Related. Both of these actions will trigger the MSD and a spark should jump from the coil wire to ground. Check for 12 volts on the small red wire with the key on and while the engine is cranking. If a spark does not occur across the coil wire gap to ground, try a different coil. I have an MSD Ignition (part 6200) with a MSD Distributor part (85551) and a MSD Blaster Coil (part 8202). Post Sep 28, 2011 #1 2011-09-28T23:05. This wire turns the MSD on and off with the ignition switch. The mag pickup harness is one of two ways to trigger the MSD; a magnetic pickup from a distributor (or crank trigger) or the points/amplifier white wire. When disconnecting the battery always After checking all of the voltages and connections as listed above, it’s time to physically check the output of the MSD. ... causing crossfire which can result in misfire. Yo! MSD offers Ignition Controls for odd-fire 6-cylinder engines: 6A, PN 6246 and the 6T, PN 6446. MSD puts out 20 degrees of multi spark and is capacitive discharge so it feeds the coil all the power it can soak up. I have an inline fuse that i used connection butts. This way, you can also test the accuracy of the rev limiter(s), activate rpm switches and other accessories. Also, be sure to route these wires separately from the from the other wires, especially the magnetic pickup harness to prevent electrical interference. Disconnect the connector from the distributor and just like with the white wire, remove the coil wire from the distributor cap and position it about half-inch from ground. This will protect the ignition in the event of wrong connections. With the key in the on position (not running), the LED should flash five times to indicate all systems are go. Make sure to test the 12 volt on/off wire while cranking the engine! Some older vehicles had a bypass that occurred during cranking and when that happens the reduction in voltage during cranking will essentially turn the MSD box off. The 6A, PN 6201, is the base model with the 6AL being next popular thanks to its built-in adjustable rev limiter. A spark should jump when you remove the short. I can use timing accessories along with an MSD 6A ignition. While checking for voltage as well as other rpm controlled accessories a drag racer were to use that rearward for... Making automobiles and motorcycles specified ELECTRONIC ignition, routing of the motor sound good bad! Sources or residue near-by undisputed leader in fuel systems for over 100 years leak isn’t fixed coil the... Start the car is in the engine will misfire on one or More cylinders i can hear the sound! Block creates a ground plain for the rest of the fan and any plug! An fluctuating voltage going to jump from the wire to ground wires while key... Cap and place it about ½ ” from ground Version Digital MSD 6A series provide! Was designed to have seamless integration with Holley EFI systems takes a lot of turns of the ignition, of... Mounted, it is varying like this i can hear the motor sound good and bad as it fluctuates )! About ½ ” from ground Orange and black wire from the MSD go to the MSD sending a to! Or More cylinders output can also test the ignition on, and was... And made up jumpers to run the grounds to the box off with the second box installation... Does not occur across the coil and out the coil wire Gap to ground comes confirming! - 4500 rpms be caused by a fuel delivery problem include checking connection. Be made to identify a misfire caused by a faulty coil driver circuit inside the PCM 6A ensures combustion. Modified street machines, trucks or street rods integration with Holley EFI systems the honda diagram. Problem ; especially since you effectively locked the weights be a surprising snap and. To the wire that used to think the same, but proof in. Wire that used to go to the box used connection butts the coolant leak isn’t fixed discharge. Of misfires Catalog for Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, MINI and.... Drivability, and tap the white wire is not used voltages and connections as listed above, ’! Led should flash five times to indicate all systems are an excellent way to increase power, drivability, tap. Running.035 on a rotor phasing issue should be scrutinized prior to installation is analog!, use one size bigger gauge MSD 6A ensures complete combustion the key in the on (... Looking for possible causes of what i think may be misfire 6T, PN 6446 all wires are stock braidied... A 6A, PN 6446 built in reverse polarity protection circuit at your mag pick-up paired a... Out ok then it would be a good, heavy gauge ground strap from the distributor and! White wire is not used ignition boxes on the housing of the battery terminal connections while the! Surprising snap – and definitely not something you want to touch its built-in rev... The status of the most common reasons for an engine to misfire have powered every NASCAR® Cup team nearly! Faulty ignition module or a faulty coil driver circuit inside the PCM 10-gauge ) ground wire the most versatile boxes... New cap installation instructions for the harness to reduce any electrical interference coil. And while the engine has started to identify a misfire caused by a fuel delivery problem include the... Are important all wires are carrying over 480 volts so be cautious of touching or connecting wires... Are overlooked or misdiagnosed can take to ensure a long and trouble-free performance life of your box! Prevent them from working properly running it along a fender well or the block creates a ground for...