Switched Power Source for MSD
 

Ahhhh i was sooo close to finishing up my msd install today...im not quite sure where to connect the switched power source wire...i know it's gotta go to the ignition switch or to the starter...but is there anything closer in the engine bay.
My wiring for the whole thing is shabby right now cuz i just want to see it work. I'll clean up the wiring soon and post some pics of the custom 3 Coil Holder I made. Please Help, I wanna get this thing done soon...so i can drive my baby and say i love her again.

... :confused: ...anyone.....?

Have you thought about maybe using the stock switched power wire for the coils? Haha

~T.J.

EDIT: Ok, so I realised not everyone wouldve thought of that, sorry if it seemed insulting. Anyway, its the big black one with the white stripe I believe.

:banghead: why sank you my friend...wow i dint even think of that...how stoopid do i look now :bigthumb: ah well...i'll connect it tomorrow

be sure to add an in-line fuse on the thick red wire for protection since there isnt any inside the msd box.

thats what I use and its fine. Werks Gr8

i connected the switched power wire of the msd to the black with white stripe wire on the connector for the stock ignitor and still couldn't start it. all my wiring is ok. i took out 1 leading plug and checked it and there was no spark. anyone got any ideas as to whats goin on? before i connected the switched power wire of the msd to the right place i first tried hooking it up right to the positive on the battery and then when i'd release it it would sound like it's about to start...you think my screwing around maybe messed up the msd?

thick red wire = battery +
thick black = ground
thin red = ignition
orange = coil +
thin black = coil -
purple and green = dizzy

all that is ok wackyracer...no spark on leading,,,im gonna check trailing tomorrow

use testlight on the coil's + terminal. btw, is this a direct fire?

yes direct fire for leading

if there is no juice @ leading coil's + terminal, re-check your wirings.

Make sure the white wire isn't connected.

For direct fire you connected two coils together w/ jumpers for leading, and a single for trailing.

Double check the wires on the distributor cap.... I know it sounds dumb but I had one in the wrong position. (This is incase your trailing doesn't work also)

Next you can't have ANY LOSE CONNECTIONS the slightest thing and your car won't start. I would have a problem with the wires off my coils sliding off cause I used female connectors on the coils which with time they become loose!!!

Double check to make sure your switched is Actually switched, there are a few wires that sre switched but turn off during cranking the starter. (ENCOUNTERED this problem on my car a few times!)

today i did some testing and i noticed that the leading sparks as soon as i turn the key into the cranking position and stops and cranks cranks cranks and then when i let go it sparks one more time....very confused....anyone seen this happen before? jimmy54 where did u get the wires for ur setup, crappytire maybe?

bump

help?

How do you have it connected to the dizzy? I am pretty sure it is purple->green and green->red. You removed the first gen ignitor, right? I guess the only other thing you could look at is to use a multimeter and check that you have power to all the right places (coil +, switched power, etc.). Check the ground wire as well.

nah. it has nothing to do with the trigger wires. if the wires are reversed, timing will flow backwards.

:confused: can you elaborate more on the crank and cranks and cranks. im a bit confused here.

ok when i turn the key to the start position theres a spark and then it keeps cranking but theres no spark. As soon as i release the key theres another spark and thats it.

which wires are you talking about? spark plug wires? or just the regular wires for the box hook up?

Spark plug wires I modifided some old wires I had,

Regular wires i bought at princess auto in brampton

i was talking about plug wires. jimmy for the switched power wire....where did u hook that up? if i dont get it running by the end of the coming week maybe i might have to come take a look at ur setup...

He's right, some wires that are switched (for radio, etc) will actually switch off when cranking to conserve power. If you can, hook up a tester to your switched line and see if that's the case. Then try to find a switched source that stays live when cranking........

If the MSD's thin red wire is connected to the thick black/white wire (same wire as in trailing coil's + terminal), then the MSD should work fine. The thin red wire is MSD's on/off switch.

my wiring is all fine....i've almost come to the conclusion that my box has died...im gonna check power to the switched source and im gona check if my mag pickup outlet is working ok and thats about all i can do.

anyone ever encounter a situation with a dead box? can it be fixed?