java0881

yesterday,while driving,the car just shut off all of a sudden.after checking everything,i found that there is no power coming to the + at the coil from the msd box.i tried another coil but to no avail.there are 2 wires going to the box from the alternator,1 ground and 1 positive.4 wires coming out of the box going to the coil,none of which have 12 v.i took some pics,but i cant upload to the forum.that would explain it better.does that mean the MSD box is broken?can i just bypass the box,take 12v from the alternator and bring it to the + at the coil?
thanks for the help

norvalwilhelm

To bypass the MSD I think you just take 2 jumper cables that come with the MSD ignition and jump both sides of the coil. The coil on the positive side has 2 wires, one inner and one outer. Just take the jumper and jump the inner to the outer. Do the same on the negative side.
Never done this but the instructions say that if the ignition fails take the 2 supplied wires and do the jumper to get home.
Hope it works for you. I carry the 2 jumper wires in the car at all times. Haven't needed it yet in 13 years.

gdh

There was was post here a few days ago that stated that our MSD coils have to be vertical and not use the clip on the intake because it holds the coil on an angle. Since these coils are oil filled the terminals are not always covered and short out. If the coil shorts out chances are your MSD box has been damaged as well. I am re-installing my coil this weekend verticle for this reason. Sorry for the bad news, hopefully yours is not damaged beyond repair.

Crash Dummy

gdh....

Which MSD coils are you speaking about? All of them? Blaster 2.... etc?

java0881

i have 12v coming from the starter to the outer + on the coil.so what you are saying is to connect the outer with the inner contacts.(i dont have the original instructions )i will try that tomorrow.

java0881

yep i had my coil installed on the intake manifold at an angle :smash:

LAvetteman

Here is what I learned about MSD not long ago. I have a 2 wire coil setup. (Blaster 2) When my poping at 3000 rpm began I was told to change the coil and to check and see if I had 8-12 volts at the coil while running. I changed the coil, no difference. I checked the volts at the coil while running with an old analog (needle) volt meter. It read 2-4 volts. So I posted that info here and sent an email to MSD. The MSD tech and forum members both told me that the MSD setup is an ignition amplifier meaning the box steps the voltage up to over 400 volts, that CANNOT be read by a voltmeter because it pulsates so quickly. I sent my box off to MSD just for good measure and the sent it back with an ALL O.K.. Now this coil in the vertical position is news to me, but I shall follow it.....

norvalwilhelm

quote:
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Just take the jumper and jump the inner to the outer. Do the same on the negative side.
.
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i have 12v coming from the starter to the outer + on the coil.so what you are saying is to connect the outer with the inner contacts.(i dont have the original instructions )i will try that tomorrow.
_______

When you installed the MSD you removed the two wires from the coil and intalled a plastic bar. Then you hooked the original positive cable to the outside termianal on this plastic bar and a new wire from the MSD to the inside of the plastic bar. My taking a jumper and jumping between the inner and outer terminal you are putting it back to stock. Do the same on the negative side and the MSD is disconnected. If the engine fires then the problem is the MSD. If not the MSD is fine.
This is a way around the MSD if it lets you down on the road. I carry the 2 small supplied jumper wires all the time in the car.

Bamavette74

Huh? Wha...
Coil cant be canted?
Has anyone talked to MSD about this?
Who makes a non leaning mount?
Geez, mine is leaning like the Tower of Pizza :eek:

gdh

[QUOTE]Huh? Wha...
Coil cant be canted?
Has anyone talked to MSD about this?

Someone in that post did talk to MSD and they said that there coils had to be verticle.

java0881

thanks for the info norwalwilhelm.
i completely bypassed the box today,meaning 12v from starter to + at the coil and - going to the distributer and the engine immediately fired up.the coil is still good. :cheers:

PatsLs1vette

I had trouble with my msd box 3 weeks after i got it it let me down a dark and deserted road.You could smell the box was fried,i called msd and talked to there tech guys,told them what happened and it did it after i got on it hard,he asked how i had the coil mounted i said horizontal,he said msd blaster coils have to be mounted vertical or the coil windings will be uncovered from the oil and overheat which will in turn fry the msd box.They took care of my box and sent me a new one and i mounted it vertical,been great ever since.Now those guys with the stock coil bracket which leans a little bit on the intake i wouldnt worry about,its not that bad.just my 2 cents.

gdh

I just fired off an email to MSD Tech Support to get a definative answer re: the stock position of the coil on the intake. I have an original Torquer intake that has the slightly angled clamp on the intake so that it can fit under the air cleaner. I will post their reply as soon as I rec. one from them.

theandies

I've had my blaster 2 coil located at the stock location for over a year and a half now without any problems. I am interested in what MSD says about the stock location though.

theandies

TTT

What did MSD say about the stock coil position on the manifold??? Any word back from them??
John

gdh

Haven't heard as of today, hopefully within the next few days.

theandies

Cool.
Thanks and please let us know because I know there are a lot of us running the Blaster2 Coil.
John

Bamavette74

TTT

I sandblasted, painted then mounted my Blaster2 in the coil mount that came with the car. Then I read this post...

The slant aint much, but I have not started the engine yet...

Keep us posted if MSD gets back to ya!!!

gerry72

Have the MSD tach-drive distributor, 6AL box, and a Blaster II coil mounted in the stock, slanted position. Been running that way for over two years and not a single hickup.

theandies

I have the exact same setup without any problems either, I am just curious on what MSD says.
John