Help me diagnose a problem

[Gaz64]

MSD pickups are very prone to hot start failure.

I haven't run MSD for years for this reason.

Gary

[RockBit]

Jeff- Any more non-starts? I am thinking of going with the MSD 6530 on my build like you did, but want to make sure it is working well for you.

[talos]

I'll have to agree with Gary on this one. Everytime I had an issue like this even with other hobbies is seemed to be msd related. I switched to a Pertronix on my 427 and have had no issues.

[Gaz64]

Originally Posted by talos

I'll have to agree with Gary on this one. Everytime I had an issue like this even with other hobbies is seemed to be msd related. I switched to a Pertronix on my 427 and have had no issues.

One of my mates says his car sounds like a six cylinder at times, I'm about to convince him to change the ignition system.

[lippy]

I have been traveling so I haven't driven the car since my last update, and I'll be away this coming weekend as well. I'll provide another update as soon as I take it out again.

[lippy]

Finally had a chance to take the Cobra out today. It's been weeks, between kids stuff and bad weather. I had taken the carb apart a few weeks ago to fix this problem and everything seemed ok.

It wouldn't start. I checked the MSD 6530 box and the LED flashes twice when I turn the key and then nothing. Pretty sure it's an ignition problem but I don't know exactly what component. It's probably the box, since I replaced it less than a year ago with the programable one and everything was working fine before. I guess it could be the distributor, or the coil, but my bet is the box. I'll call MSD tomorrow.

[A98Coupe]

Jeff,

Have you tried the spark test as recommended by MSD? Basically remove the coil lead from the dizzy and place it about 1/2" from a good ground point like the engine inlet manifold. Then disconnect the MSD magnetic pick-up and with the ignition on, short the mag wires together a few times per second using a piece of wire. You should see a nice long spark emit from the coil lead every time you break the short. You can try it with a spare coil to determine if the coil is no good.

Also, what spark plug gap have you been running? Larger gaps put more load on the MSD unit - just a thought.

[lippy]

A98Coupe - I thought the same thing and tried that. There was no spark.

The double flashing LED indicates a low voltage condition, so the box won't fire. I got a little lucky and checked the magnetic pickup next. You disconnect the dizzy and measure the resistance across the pickup. It should measure between 400-1300 ohms. When I checked it, the resistance would start at about 800 ohms and steadily climb to over 5 mega-ohms. I called MSD tech to describe this, and they said it wouldn't act that way, and that my multimeter is probably bad or low on batteries. Wrong. I checked a fixed resistor I had lying around and it read fine. It's probably a bad connection that opens almost completely when the signal from the multimeter passes through it.

So I called Gotelli's speed shop and they had the part for me in 2 hours, and they even offered to match Summit pricing (very cool place, old school). I put it in and she started right up. That must be the problem. Glad it's apparently not the box. I'm planning on verifying the timing and taking it out later this week.

[patrickt]

Lippy, are you using the MSD 26Kufd Capacitor in your setup?

[ACHiPo]

Lippy,
Is your MSD in the engine compartment or remotely mounted in the passenger compartment?
AC

[lippy]

Patrick and ACHiPo,
I am using the capacitor, and both the capacitor and 6530 box are mounted under the glove box inside the car. The part that failed was the magnetic pickup inside the distributor.
-Lippy

[A98Coupe]

Lippy,

Pleased to hear to solved the problem. I had a similar issue when I first installed my MSD 6530 unit this year. The engine would fire up OK but then immediately die. I checked and doubled checked all the connections, completed the spark test and confirmed no spark. Finally discovered the problem by accident. The engine ran fine without the serial to USB COM cable connected to the box. Turned out the cheapo serial to USB RS-232 cable was preventing to box from firing. I bought a more expensive cable as recommended on the MSD forum and I haven't had any problems since. Pretty much managed to tame my monster cam - just need some fine tuning on my carbs to eradicate some very slight surging at light cruise. The MSD 6530 set up really does work!

[Frank Messina]

Originally Posted by lippy

Patrick and ACHiPo,
The part that failed was the magnetic pickup inside the distributor.-Lippy

I guess you missed my answer on 10/6, post # 20.

Frank

[lippy]

Originally Posted by Frank Messina

I guess you missed my answer on 10/6, post # 20.

Frank

Credit where due - Thanks Frank, you were right.