Msd 6al

[Blazeboi1]

I have an ignition problem guys. I have had 3 different MSD boxes all of them are 6ALs and the ignition shuts off. It's not a specific amount of time the engine runs before it shuts off but I lose power output from the box. My battery wires are ran straight to the battery and it's a yellow top optima with marine grade terminals on the top. I have continuity to the box from the battery. I was running my switched 12v source off of the original battery terminal to the dist(big white wire with the plastic cover). I have since taken the switched 12v source to the fuse panel thinking maybe I was losing power. I have ZERO problems with my MSD dist. hooked up in the factory configuration. As soon as I take out the ignition module and hook my green/violet connections up it will crank and run but then it shuts off. I've been through 3 different boxes, taken the tach out of the equation and ran redundant wires to all locations to no avail. I'm losing my f-ing mind! PLEASE HELP!!!! Vehicle is a 1979 K5 small block.

 

[sweetk30]

http://www.msdignition.com/forum/index.php

we also have a msd guy here. he will chim in sometime when he checks in.

 

[Blazeboi1]

Thank you for the reply. I found the problem to be a 2 yr old mag. pickup wire. The violet had started shorting through the plastic connector into the green wire because of a broken engine ground.

 

[sweetk30]

cool thanks for the reply for other to mabye get help later.

glad you found it.

 

[JDNobodi]

I have an ignition problem guys. I have had 3 different MSD boxes all of them are 6ALs and the ignition shuts off.

I don't understand why people keep replacing the same thing over again even-though it didn't work the first time. Unless it is cheap part and it is failing immediately (like water pumps).
It is bad enough you replaced a part that you didn't need, but you still haven't solved the problem. Like my old diesel tech teacher used to say mockingly "It needed it anyway."
I was taught to diagnosis the problem first then replace/fix that is bad such as that bad mag pick up.
Granted, I have fallen into the trap replacing parts till the problem is fix due to lack of diagnosis tools. Every time I replace a part and the problem persist, I and my teacher's words ring in my head mocking me.

 

[Philly87]

Glad you found the problem. Sorry for the delay in chiming in but if you need anything or have any other questions feel free to let me know.

-Phil