MSD 7720 Power Grid System - Ignition Control Only Installation - Manual (Page 6)

6 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
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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
CHECKING FOR SPARK
To test the Power Grid 7 separate from the System Controller perform the following steps:
1. Test with the full system together following instructions supplied with the System Controller, PN
7730 using the following steps. If there is spark the system is working properly, there is no need
to test further. If there is no spark, continue testing using the next sets of steps.
If triggering the ignition with the White wire:
1. Make sure the ignition switch is in the “Off” position.
2. Remove the coil wire from the distributor cap and set the terminal approximately 1/2” from ground.
3. Disconnect the MSD White wire from the distributor’s points or ignition amplifier.
4. Turn the ignition to the “On” position. Do not crank the engine.
5. Rapidly tap the White wire to ground many times. When the wire is pulled from ground, a spark
should jump from the coil wire to ground. NOTE: The system must see a minimum of 90 rpm in
order to fire, so the multiple taps must be in rapid succession. If spark is present, the ignition is
working properly. If there is no spark skip to steps on page 6:
If triggering with the Magnetic Pickup:
1. Make sure the ignition switch is in the “Off” position.
2. Remove the coil wire from the distributor cap and set the terminal approximately 1/2” from ground.
3. Disconnect the MSD magnetic pickup wires from the distributor.
4. Turn the ignition to the “On” position. Do not crank the engine.
5. With a small jumper wire, short the MSD’s Green and Violet magnetic pickup wires together. Each
time you break this ground (rapidly), a spark should jump from the coil wire to ground. NOTE:
The system must see a minimum of 90 rpm in order to fire, so the multiple taps must be in rapid
succession. If spark is present, the ignition is working properly. If there is no spark skip to steps
on page 6:
If there is no spark:
1. Inspect all of the wiring.
2. Substitute another coil in the system and repeat the original test. If there is now spark the coil is
at fault.
3. If there is no spark, check to make sure there is 12 volts on the small Red wire from the Power Grid
7 during both cranking and run. If these steps do not correct a problem, continue with the trouble
shooting steps below.
Isolating and checking the Power Grid 7 Ignition.
1. Make sure power to the ignition is OFF.
2. Disconnect the Power Grid 7 Ignition from the System Controller (only the Deutsch connector
between the two).
3. Isolate the White wire in that set and attach a jumper wire.
4. Turn on power to the ignition system.
5. Jump the White wire to a 12 volt power source. If the system creates multi-spark when the wire
receives power it is working properly. You do not need to tap the wire to power multiple times, only
touch and hold to power once.
After you are sure that the box has received a power signal and you have checked for spark, remove
power from the White wire.
If there was no spark with the full system connected, but there is spark when the Power Grid 7, PN
7720, is tested by itself, there is likely an issue with either the wiring connections or the System
Controller, PN 7730.