MSD 6AL malfunctioning - again??
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: SOUTH ELGIN IL
MSD 6AL malfunctioning - again??
Hi everyone,
I have been installing anew sound system (will post pics shortly) and it's up and running fine. About 2 months ago my battery started to drain while the car was off. I have been getting a healthy spark when i attach the cables to the terminals. I initially thought that I knocked a wire loose because over the winter i lost my dash lights. However, today I fired up the car to go for a ride (nice in chicago today) and it started idling very rough and dropped down to 500 RPM from about 900. I experienced these very same symptoms about a year ago and it was my MSD 6AL box causing the problem. I sent it back to MSD and they repaired it for me. Another thing I noticed is that my Ammeter has a constant 12V to it even though the ignition is turned to the off position.
Does this sound like the same thing again (MSD)? It does to me, but last time I wasn't pulling current off the battery while the car was shut down. Could be responsible for my battery drain also?
I'm running a stock ZZ4 and this MSD system (distributor, coil, box).
Thanks,
Dan
I have been installing anew sound system (will post pics shortly) and it's up and running fine. About 2 months ago my battery started to drain while the car was off. I have been getting a healthy spark when i attach the cables to the terminals. I initially thought that I knocked a wire loose because over the winter i lost my dash lights. However, today I fired up the car to go for a ride (nice in chicago today) and it started idling very rough and dropped down to 500 RPM from about 900. I experienced these very same symptoms about a year ago and it was my MSD 6AL box causing the problem. I sent it back to MSD and they repaired it for me. Another thing I noticed is that my Ammeter has a constant 12V to it even though the ignition is turned to the off position.
Does this sound like the same thing again (MSD)? It does to me, but last time I wasn't pulling current off the battery while the car was shut down. Could be responsible for my battery drain also?
I'm running a stock ZZ4 and this MSD system (distributor, coil, box).
Thanks,
Dan
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: SOUTH ELGIN IL
I tell you what, this system has been nothing but trouble. This is the second time I am going to have to fix the box in 2 years. It ;s not expensive but it take 3 weeks with the shipping time.
I may just pull the whole thing and find an HEI someplace. My HEI's have always been bullet proof.
Any recomendations? Maybe something other than HEI is better?
I may just pull the whole thing and find an HEI someplace. My HEI's have always been bullet proof.
Any recomendations? Maybe something other than HEI is better?
Last edited by Dantana; May 22, 2009 at 12:50 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
I've just purchased the Mallory unit w/tach drive. I'm in the process of rebuilding the motor completely and have yet to install it, but I chose Mallory after talking to several different people who have been around a lot longer than I have. Since I'm in sales, I see and talk to a lot of people who are Hot Rodders. Several I talked to about HEI told me NOT to go with the MSD box. Had something to do with the internals screwing up all the time, similar to what you've experienced. Most of them had the "haven't had a bit of trouble with it" story with the Mallory units.
I think the MSD's are probably better for strip use.
I think the MSD's are probably better for strip use.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
MSD is used on the most powerful most horsepower motors that I know of. And they run many times with no maintenance at all. I've had my 6AL in my 454 for almost 3 years, street driven.
Not trying to insult you, but I think I'd go back and check my connections. Not saying that you've hooked it up correctly, I'm sure of that. But check the connections, or the placement of those connections. Do you have it connected at the best connections possible for all the wires? Just my experience.
Tank
Not trying to insult you, but I think I'd go back and check my connections. Not saying that you've hooked it up correctly, I'm sure of that. But check the connections, or the placement of those connections. Do you have it connected at the best connections possible for all the wires? Just my experience.
Tank
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,857
Likes: 959
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
I tell you what, this system has been nothing but trouble. This is the second time I am going to have to fix the box in 2 years. It ;s not expensive but it take 3 weeks with the shipping time.
I may just pull the whole thing and find an HEI someplace. My HEI's have always been bullet proof.
Any recomendations? Maybe something other than HEI is better?
I may just pull the whole thing and find an HEI someplace. My HEI's have always been bullet proof.
Any recomendations? Maybe something other than HEI is better?
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Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I don't know if MSD had a bad batch of boxes or what. To wire one is pretty darn simple!
In the last five years and another one this week! We have had five defective 6AL boxes! I doubt I will ever install another one!
Our customer on the 58 in our shop has one in this car and on Friday well . . . It tanked! No fire. . . Replace the rev limiter and it will fire and then blow the chip. Now it won't hit a lick after cooking three limiters!
Willcox Inc.
In the last five years and another one this week! We have had five defective 6AL boxes! I doubt I will ever install another one!
Our customer on the 58 in our shop has one in this car and on Friday well . . . It tanked! No fire. . . Replace the rev limiter and it will fire and then blow the chip. Now it won't hit a lick after cooking three limiters!
Willcox Inc.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,857
Likes: 959
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
I'm glad you piped up, I'm just a dumb ole country boy with a high school drop out certificate and makes a 2635 lb 66 Nova go 8.22 in the 1/4 mile. Some people don't know how to treat some eqipment, and then fault the piece for being defective because thier buddy had a similar problem. All along both had the same issue for wrong installation, placement, wire connection choices, etc.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 517
Likes: 7
From: Peoria IL
Do you mind me asking where you have it mounted?
They're not sealed but a lot of people mount them where they easily get wet, and they seem to have trouble with them then.
I've never had trouble with any of mine but they have always been mounted inside.
They're not sealed but a lot of people mount them where they easily get wet, and they seem to have trouble with them then.
I've never had trouble with any of mine but they have always been mounted inside.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Tank
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I really don't know! I like the darn thing but I'm ready to try something new the next time.
Willcox
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,737
Likes: 837
From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
I'm running the whole MSD ignition system , 6AL, tach/dist, coil and wires and it has been trouble free for 9 years now. It's got thousands of miles on it including 3 Hot Rod Power Tours many which included all day rains. I've got mine mounted on the passenger wheelwell inner fender, protected from the rain and it gets ventilation there. Mounted it with the included rubber mounts and used dielectric grease on any connections. Most importantly, per MSD instructions, I ran a dedicated heavy gauge wire from the battery to the 6AL box. In my case, I've got no complaints with the MSD 6AL ignition system. Fires on the first crank and all the MSD stuff is first rate.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
I figured it wouldn't be long before all the positive feedback started coming in. I haven't used the MSD unit, I just talked to many that already had "been there, done than", and made my decision from there. Mallory just happened to be the way I went.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 688
Likes: 1
From: Stevens Point WI
I have run mallory and MSD
The mallory HEI lasted 2 hours and ate itself apart for some reason it dropped a cylinder at a time then finally died all together.
The Msd on the other hand has never let me down.
I have used then 1000hp+ boats in harsh pounding wave conditions without skippinga beat!
I have a 6 al box in my 69 with the 540 and it works great, just remember the MSD boxes need a good ground!! If its a bad ground they will short right away and then they are junk.
I guess it comes down to you get what you pay for
The mallory HEI lasted 2 hours and ate itself apart for some reason it dropped a cylinder at a time then finally died all together.
The Msd on the other hand has never let me down.
I have used then 1000hp+ boats in harsh pounding wave conditions without skippinga beat!
I have a 6 al box in my 69 with the 540 and it works great, just remember the MSD boxes need a good ground!! If its a bad ground they will short right away and then they are junk.
I guess it comes down to you get what you pay for
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 508
Likes: 1
From: Olive Branch MS
Definitely make sure to connect the main battery and ground wires directly to the battery. This is really important in the Corvettes. This goes for fuel injection installation, too.
Also, the MSD 6AL boxes are water proof. The enclosure isn't, but the circuit board is completely conformal coated.
I've never had one fail in any of my vehicles or on the dyno, but they do evidently because I have repaired 2 or 3. I've always had mine installed in the engine bay. I recently moved the one in my 78 to behind the glove compartment inside the car.
Also, the MSD 6AL boxes are water proof. The enclosure isn't, but the circuit board is completely conformal coated.
I've never had one fail in any of my vehicles or on the dyno, but they do evidently because I have repaired 2 or 3. I've always had mine installed in the engine bay. I recently moved the one in my 78 to behind the glove compartment inside the car.
Last edited by bluzman2004; May 23, 2009 at 10:47 AM.