MSD 6530 Digital Programmable 6AL-2 Installation - Manual (Page 17)

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 17
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• W W W . M S D P E R F O R M A N C E . C O M • ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0 • F A X ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4
MISSES AND INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS
Experience at the races has shown that if your engine is experiencing a miss or hesitation at higher rpm,
it is usually not directly ignition. Most probable causes include a coil or plug wire failure, arcing from
the cap or boot plug to ground or spark ionization inside the cap. Several items to inspect are:
• Always inspect the plug wires at the cap and at the plug for a tight connection and visually inspect
for cuts, abrasions or burns.
• Inspect the Primary Coil Wire connections. Because the MSD is a Capacitive Discharge
ignition and it receives a direct 12 volt source from the battery, there will not be any voltage
at the Coil Positive (+) terminal even with the key turned On. During cranking or while the engine
is running, very high voltage will be present and no test equipment should be connected.
WARNING: Do not touch the coil terminals during cranking or while the engine is running.
• Make sure that the battery is fully charged and the connections are clean and tight. If you are not
running an alternator this is an imperative check. If the battery voltage falls below 10 volts during
a race, the MSD output voltage will drop.
• Is the engine running lean? Inspect the spark plugs and complete fuel system.
• Inspect all wiring connections for corrosion or damage. Remember to always use proper connections
followed by soldering and seal the connections completely.
If everything checks positive, use the following procedure to test the ignition for spark. MSD also
offers an Ignition Tester, PN 8998. This tool allows you to check your complete ignition system while
it is in the car as well as the operation of rpm limits, activated switches and shift lights.
Most other applications: On other
applications where engine Run-On is
experienced, a Resistor can be put in-
line to the MSD's small Red wire (Figure
15). This resistor will keep voltage from
leaking through to the MSD unit.
Figure 15 Wiring the Dual Ballast Resistor for Run-On.