HELP!! MSD Ignition trouble
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
HELP!! MSD Ignition trouble
Hooked everything up and the car runs great. I have the Constant 12V hooked on the starter. 12V with ignition on hooked to the old coil wire and grounded to the frame. Car starts great and runs better than before. What is the big trouble you ask......The car is running great but I have the keys in my pocket. It won't turn off :eek: !! I must have one of the cables hooked up wrong but which one??
Also, my tach doesn't work but I can work on that.
Thanks in advanced for your quick help.
Also, my tach doesn't work but I can work on that.
Thanks in advanced for your quick help.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: HELP!! MSD Ignition trouble (scottw)
I did the same thing when I switched starters. I wish I could remember which connection I crossed. All I can say is check over the wire diagram. It is def the connection at the starter. If you have a wire diag for your car, check the ign wire to the starter, I bet you have the box wired to that wrong one. I believ there are two going to the starter, one for the on position (purple?) and one for the start position (orange?). If you have line tester turn the car on and check which wire has juice.
[Modified by Fevre, 2:25 PM 10/24/2002]
[Modified by Fevre, 2:25 PM 10/24/2002]
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
Re: HELP!! MSD Ignition trouble (Fevre)
The wire for the constant 12V is on the starter. My voltmeter reads 12V with the ignition on and off. The switched 12V is on the wire that went with the old coil. It reads 0V with the ignition off and 12V with it switched on.
There is a small diode that came with the ign box. They say splice into the brown wire that comes out of the alternator. I will try that and see what happens.
Anyone else have a suggestion??
There is a small diode that came with the ign box. They say splice into the brown wire that comes out of the alternator. I will try that and see what happens.
Anyone else have a suggestion??
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
Re: HELP!! MSD Ignition trouble (scottw)
Its amazing..... if you actually read the directions and follow them then you can take care of many problems. I put on the diode like the directions say and low and behold the car shut off when I turn the key off.
Now my TACH?? Does the corvette have a reverse tach cable?? There is a part you need if it is but I have no idea. Not a big deal. I can at least drive it until I find out the problem. I used my voltmeter on the RPM setting and set up the idle. I am running 10 degrees BTDC. I will adjust that later when I get the tach and can set up the distributor how I want it.
MSD made a huge difference with my car at start up. It cranks a couple times and starts right up. Before it was a PITA to start and took many tries sometimes.
Once I get the headers put on (next week) I will post a before and after pic of my engine. Love the difference. Went from rust to shine and runs great.
BTW, I mounted my ing box on the passanger side wheel well facing the fire wall. I have grommets under the box on the screws so it can get a little air under the box to help cooling.
After eight months of engine work (6 in Afghanistan) I finally have my engine how I want it. :cheers:
Now my TACH?? Does the corvette have a reverse tach cable?? There is a part you need if it is but I have no idea. Not a big deal. I can at least drive it until I find out the problem. I used my voltmeter on the RPM setting and set up the idle. I am running 10 degrees BTDC. I will adjust that later when I get the tach and can set up the distributor how I want it.
MSD made a huge difference with my car at start up. It cranks a couple times and starts right up. Before it was a PITA to start and took many tries sometimes.
Once I get the headers put on (next week) I will post a before and after pic of my engine. Love the difference. Went from rust to shine and runs great.
BTW, I mounted my ing box on the passanger side wheel well facing the fire wall. I have grommets under the box on the screws so it can get a little air under the box to help cooling.
After eight months of engine work (6 in Afghanistan) I finally have my engine how I want it. :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 845
Likes: 0
From: Ventura Harbor CA California
Re: HELP!! MSD Ignition trouble (scottw)
Scott, Thank you for going to Afghanistan. I would suggest running the small red wire (on a 6 or 6AL) to the pink on the column harness rather than the old coil wire. I believe that is a resistor wire and will show 12 then drop to around 9 in a minute or so. You should not need the diode. You should have 14 + to the switched wire when the motor is running.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Re: HELP!! MSD Ignition trouble (scottw)
Scott,
Where in Prince George Co. do you live. I live in Warrenton and can help you tune your MSD system if you like over a few Beers and Corvette Stories. I have played with mine and I think I have made a million adjustments to it. I love goofing with the thing. Shoot me an e-mail and lets get together.
John
Where in Prince George Co. do you live. I live in Warrenton and can help you tune your MSD system if you like over a few Beers and Corvette Stories. I have played with mine and I think I have made a million adjustments to it. I love goofing with the thing. Shoot me an e-mail and lets get together.
John
