How do I know if my MSD distributor is bad?

When you connect the two leads together, the meter should read 0. Now connect the two multi-meter leads to the purple and orange wire that comes from the MSD distributor. The meter should read between 500 and 700 ohms. If the reading is outside of this range, then it’s likely the pickup is bad.

How do you bypass MSD 6AL?

To bypass the MSD, All you need to do is disconnect the car’s coil harness (Dark Green and Yellow , Red and Light Green) from the MSD input wires (Red , White) and plug these (DG/Y and R/LG) right into the new coil. I would also diconnect the (Heavy Red +12 volts) that powers the MSD.

Is there a fuse in a MSD 6AL?

MSD says there IS a fuse inside the box (6AL) and say it is useless to use a fuse in the wiring, so we though that fuse inside the box might be burnt, and we tried to open the box. After some hard tries (everything was done by MSD so that you won’t open the box even if you want it! )

Does MSD ignition have a fuse?

The POWERCELL ignition output is your key-on power. You are going to connect this to the red wire on the MSD. You can also use this wire to power other accessories in the car that need ignition power. You need to insert a fuse into the POWERCELL to protect the ignition harness.

Do MSD coils go bad?

Don’t believe the Techs at MSD, the coils do go bad and be prepared to keep a spare in your trunk along with a pickup coil for the distributor, I’ve seen two of those go bad as well if the cap is not vented properly.

What causes a MSD 6A ignition control to fail?

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 need to confirm 12 volts during cranking. (Make sure the car is in park and all wires are clear of the fan and any moving parts.)

Why does my MSD box turn off when cranking?

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. Make sure to test the 12 volt on/off wire while cranking the engine! There are several other simple installation tips for the rest of the wires.

What kind of ignition tester does MSD use?

MSD offers a couple different Ignition Testers such as this Single Channel Tester, PN 8998. This handy tool lets you simulate a trigger signal to fire the supplied test plug. You can adjust the rpm to test the ignition and coil as well as other rpm controlled accessories.