Looks like I might have an ignition box problem. I’m trying to decide if I should just replace the the one I have now (MSD 6AL Programmable) or switch to the MSD grid.

I’m not sure I’m smart enough to use the grid. I even thought about a Fueltech system but after looking at all that I know I’m not smart enough to use it.

Oh yeah, typical slow S/C dragster with a 565 Big block and a gas carburetor. Any thoughts?

The MSD 6530 programmable is a very nice ignition and Graphview is easy to program with that runs on all recent and older platforms of Microsoft. If you have time, call MSD, discuss the problem and get an RMD# from them and send it in for evaluation if they think they can repair.

What is the ignition issue??

Mark, PM me a phone number and I’ll send you a snapshot of the Racepak data. Not very good at posting pictures.

Ran the T&T at Tulsa double divisional. First pass off the trailer 8.95, took some time out of the stop 8.86. Next morning time trials for race one I go 8.919 and then 8.909 so I’m happy. I downloaded the Racepak on the 8.90 pass and about half track there’s a really skinny single blip in the rpm graph.

Almost looked like I blipped the throttle. I wrote it off as either noise or some sort of fluke.

I roll up for round one and at half track the car starts banging badly, I look down and the tach is going crazy. Then it clears up and I finish the run. Naturally I got spanked, lost a solid tenth and 7 mph.

I checked some things and then ran again the time trial for race two. It was worse this time so I loaded up and left. I did use the MSD tester and it showed box and coil were good. At this point I’m gonna check more stuff tomorrow and probably order a new box even if it’s just for a spare.

Check your connections on ignition switch wires.
In fact check all the wire connections on ignition box and coil.

Then I would change the box out for a known good one and see if that narrows it down.

You`re probably better off switching to the grid system. I waited almost 2 months for MSD to fix my box.

quote:

Originally posted by Cashflow:
Looks like I might have an ignition box problem. I’m trying to decide if I should just replace the the one I have now (MSD 6AL Programmable) or switch to the MSD grid.

I’m not sure I’m smart enough to use the grid. I even thought about a Fueltech system but after looking at all that I know I’m not smart enough to use it.

Oh yeah, typical slow S/C dragster with a 565 Big block and a gas carburetor. Any thoughts?

Vern,

I have two 6AL programable ignitions, one I pulled working out of the car when I switched to EFI. The other one is new in the box as a spare. The used one I can send you for free & the new one I'll make you a good deal.

I'll PM you my number, if you are interested.

2BKING

Looking at DA like Racepak is showing you the effect of what is happening, not the cause. MSD Grid can show you what the actual input and output pulses look like from the controller to help steer the troubleshooting.

If a MSD tester shows the box producing spark at the coil output, move to inspecting and metering the crank or distributor trigger. Crank triggers meter 70 -90 ohms and distributor 500 – 700 ohms. Take the cap and rotor off and inspect bottom of rotor tang and cap center ball. Confirm ignition on switch and wiring to ignition proper. Seen ignition on switches fail intermittently.

Having a second ignition box of same type will fix problem faster if box failing, and should eliminate the ignition box as the problem if it continues to fail.

Thanks everyone for the responses. I was hoping Markemark would respond and I will look at all that stuff.

Especially thanks to Bryan for getting with me, he is shipping the boxes to me and then I’ll have a spare. I actually had an old 6-T analog box but was hesitant to put it on.

Hopefully get it figured out soon as I need to make the last division race at Vegas. I need the grade point.

Do you use the tach? If you were testing try disconnecting the tach and see what happens, seen the tach itself cause problems.

quote:

Originally posted by Eman:
Do you use the tach? If you were testing try disconnecting the tach and see what happens, seen the tach itself cause problems.

This ^^^^

Tach going crazy tells me it's on the input trigger side. Bad pickup coil, the harness or RFI shielding?
Make sure your unused leads on the box are well insulated from noise or sources of ground, or grounded if they're supposed to be..
Bet you'd see something weird on a timing light too.

I disconnected the tach first thing. I had a 6-T box go bad years ago and it was the tach circuit. MSD replaced the tach circuit in the box and that fixed the problem.

Actually it seemed worse after I unhooked the tach. At this point I hope it’s the box and that takes care of it. I ohmed the pickup this morning, 82.3 ohms. I will order a spare pickup, pretty sure I don’t have one.

Gonna go over all the connections this afternoon and clean them all. I will also replace cap and rotor, it’s probably time.

Try running your tester and pull on EVERY connection involved in the ignition. I had a soldered connection break inside of a shrink sleeve. The connection was on a terminal strip, and looked perfect.

Sometimes it's the simple things.

RIP

Had the same thing here Vern- Digital 7. Car would not accelerate ! Called MSD did their test.
Looked like the box and coil failed as per their test…. Conversations with TD3555 and Bucky, Bucky had two spares because he switched to EFI. Thanks Bucky. After all that the new box and coil didn’t fix it…. Still looking. I did not unhook the tach
Motors out, found some small issues. Back on the dyno to eliminate car..

Thanks again for all the help everyone. Mr. King sent me parts and I installed a new box today. It fired right up and I will test this weekend in Hobbs. If it’s still missing I’ll change the plugs and then the coil and lastly put a new crank trigger pickup on it.

Trying to do this one step at a time.

Glad you got the parts Vern! Hope you get your issues squared away.

2BKING

Of course it rained us out last night. 1% chance and it freaking poured! Hopefully try again tonight

Pretty sure Vern got it fixed, I'll let him explain!

2BKING

Looks like I got it fixed, the ignition box worked. Even a blind hog finds an acorn every now and then!

Dead even at the hit, took a nine thou stripe to be dead zero

Awesome, great job!!!

Congrats vern