MSD Failure - Possible Cause?
MSD Failure - Possible Cause?
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Discussion

LuckyP

Original Poster:

6,243 posts

254 months

Tuesday 8th July 2008
quotequote all
Hi chaps,

My MSD control unit gave up the ghost on the way to Charles' on Friday.

After talking to MSD and PowerMaster customer services, it seems as though the probable cause was the fact that I have wired the MSD feed direct from the alternator post. This can cause a spike under heavy load and high RPM that can surge into the MSD.

I have no idea why Adrian and I wired it this way, it clearly states in the MSD intruction that comes with the kit:

'This wire connects directly to the battery positive (+) terminal or a positive battery junction such as the starter solenoid. Note: Do not connect to the alternator.'

Both MSD and PowerMaster suggested the direct battery connection or failing that the starter solenoid.

Has anyone else fed direct from the Alt? Why did you decide to go that route? And is your MSD still going strong???

Love to know.

Lucks




kylemrushall

1,922 posts

233 months

Tuesday 8th July 2008
quotequote all
Mine died recently, i have replaced it and moved it inside the car as i believe mine was struggling with the heat/damp combo under the clip.

LuckyP

Original Poster:

6,243 posts

254 months

Tuesday 8th July 2008
quotequote all
kylemrushall said:
Mine died recently, i have replaced it and moved it inside the car as i believe mine was struggling with the heat/damp combo under the clip.
But where do you take the perm +ve from?

kylemrushall

1,922 posts

233 months

Tuesday 8th July 2008
quotequote all
LuckyP said:
kylemrushall said:
Mine died recently, i have replaced it and moved it inside the car as i believe mine was struggling with the heat/damp combo under the clip.
But where do you take the perm +ve from?
It picks up a supply from a central connector under the dash which in turn is supplied directly from the battery.

LuckyP

Original Poster:

6,243 posts

254 months

Tuesday 8th July 2008
quotequote all
kylemrushall said:
LuckyP said:
kylemrushall said:
Mine died recently, i have replaced it and moved it inside the car as i believe mine was struggling with the heat/damp combo under the clip.
But where do you take the perm +ve from?
It picks up a supply from a central connector under the dash which in turn is supplied directly from the battery.
Is that where your engine compartment MSD was powered from too?

kylemrushall

1,922 posts

233 months

Tuesday 8th July 2008
quotequote all
yep, i have wired into a central fuse/electical box behind the passenger seat. My ecu is in there, i found it easier to power most things from a central point. I fitted a big relay(100 amp)and supplied from that.

ditto

614 posts

269 months

Tuesday 8th July 2008
quotequote all
Mine is wired to the alternator and I haven’t had and problems with it, I did mention it to the factory after I had done it and they didn’t think it was a problem, now im confused, are you saying mine will fail because of this?

LuckyP

Original Poster:

6,243 posts

254 months

Tuesday 8th July 2008
quotequote all
ditto said:
Mine is wired to the alternator and I haven’t had and problems with it, I did mention it to the factory after I had done it and they didn’t think it was a problem, now im confused, are you saying mine will fail because of this?
Yeah, and your body work will turn black and....

No, I don't know for sure that this was the cause of my MSD fault, I can only say that the supplier of both units have advised against it.

Check with the factory if you are unsure. They might have changed thier opinion since you wired yours?

ditto

614 posts

269 months

Tuesday 8th July 2008
quotequote all
LuckyP said:
ditto said:
Mine is wired to the alternator and I haven’t had and problems with it, I did mention it to the factory after I had done it and they didn’t think it was a problem, now im confused, are you saying mine will fail because of this?
Yeah, and your body work will turn black and....
Hmm that’s not funny, its going to cost me a small fortune and a lot of work to put right, if I wanted a black car I would have bought one banghead

LuckyP

Original Poster:

6,243 posts

254 months

Tuesday 8th July 2008
quotequote all
Guy? I'm guessing that yours is Alternator fed (it says so on Stig's website!!) Have you ever had one go?

But Stig's isn't, although you say in your MSD ignition Wiring diagram that some use the alt/starter motor +ve.



Edited by LuckyP on Tuesday 8th July 16:05

Crazy of Cookham

740 posts

284 months

Tuesday 8th July 2008
quotequote all
Me thinks mine is via alternator. Been that way for 5 years. Hope will remain so. Especially over weekend.

andygtt

8,345 posts

293 months

Tuesday 8th July 2008
quotequote all
ditto said:
LuckyP said:
ditto said:
Mine is wired to the alternator and I haven’t had and problems with it, I did mention it to the factory after I had done it and they didn’t think it was a problem, now im confused, are you saying mine will fail because of this?
Yeah, and your body work will turn black and....
Hmm that’s not funny, its going to cost me a small fortune and a lot of work to put right, if I wanted a black car I would have bought one banghead
but the red gel coat they use never fades?... or so i was told.

bluesatin

3,115 posts

301 months

Tuesday 8th July 2008
quotequote all
Mine comes off the big wire to the starter!. Hope you got home ok. The car sounded and looked rather nice!

LuckyP

Original Poster:

6,243 posts

254 months

Tuesday 8th July 2008
quotequote all
bluesatin said:
Mine comes off the big wire to the starter!. Hope you got home ok. The car sounded and looked rather nice!
Cool, that's where mine now take the feed.

Thanks for polishing it for me. Saved me a job!! thumbup

Back in one piece. Car running well.

Not going to report back on the improvements until I had some time at the wheel.

Lates

GTWayne

4,595 posts

246 months

Tuesday 8th July 2008
quotequote all
ditto said:
...if I wanted a black car I would have bought one...banghead
Oh but Keith my good man, it is not as simple as all that I am afraid, it is more than what your money will buy you and for this reason alone I fear you will NEVER know the quintessential ingredients required for you to be blessed and made the owner/keeper of a correctly coloured car. It is not the end of the world and who knows, although your car may sport a colour scheme akin to a rasher of streaky bacon, over time, you may even come to like it?, it will certainly be popular at the Good Wood Breakfast Club ( along with two sausages, egg and beans hehe )

ditto

614 posts

269 months

Wednesday 9th July 2008
quotequote all
GTWayne said:
ditto said:
...if I wanted a black car I would have bought one...banghead
Oh but Keith my good man, it is not as simple as all that I am afraid, it is more than what your money will buy you and for this reason alone I fear you will NEVER know the quintessential ingredients required for you to be blessed and made the owner/keeper of a correctly coloured car. It is not the end of the world and who knows, although your car may sport a colour scheme akin to a rasher of streaky bacon, over time, you may even come to like it?, it will certainly be popular at the Good Wood Breakfast Club ( along with two sausages, egg and beans hehe )
Wayne, as you know this nothing to do with the correct colour because as you know in previous telephone conversations you have stated the true colourwink
Also, ill think you will find it has nothing to do with money as black costs the same as red gel coat
By the way, as you always correct my spelling, shouldn’t that be Goodwood? hehe Mind you the breakfast sounds nice lick