Hey guys,
I am totally frustrated. :mad: I posted a few weeks ago having problems starting my engine with a brand new MSD distributor and a brand new MSD 6A ignition box. I took some advice and made sure my engine was grounded to the chasis. I have checked all the wiring over and over. I changed the Blaster II coil to an american made coil. I have tried turning the ingnition key on and waiting 5 or more seconds before starting the engine. The strange thing is that sometimes the engine starts right of way, while most other times I have to try over and over to get it started. The engine turns over very easy with an intial timing of 15 degs and a total of 36. It does not seem to make a difference whether the engine is cold or hot. With my old GM Hei ignition; the car would start right up. I am using some cold plugs gaped at 35 deg. Could this possibly be the problem? I can only think to send the MSD box back the MSD and have them exchange it. Do you guys have any other suggestions? I appreciate all your help!
Thanks,
Daniel

I just finished my 6AL "clean" install about 15 minutes ago. I'd temporarily spliced it into the MSD Pro HEI I already had - just to make sure it fires okay. Tonight I cleaned up all the wires, routed them, tied em down, etc.

There is a test procedure described in the installation manual to make sure you've got spark. I tested mine just to make sure prior to final wiring.

I think there's a 50/50 opinion on the stability of the 6A series - some say the flake out on a regular basis, others say they've been running the same one for years. Just to be safe, I wired mine so I can unplug the 6AL and reconnect using just the HEI 5 pins in case the 6AL gets flaky.

Bottom line - the 6AL makes a world of difference in performance for me. I know I'm getting a really clean burn, even with the slightly rich Mighty Demon. Hope it works out okay. If the system is fried, MSD is pretty good about taking stuff back. I mistakenly cut the HEI harness off my Pro Billet - they sent me a replacement no charge.

Best,

Mike H.

Have you tried a remote starter button?

Daniel, when it does run, how does it run? I would lean towards the plugs or ign. wires possibly, cause if it starts right up some of the time, I doubt its a ground or wiring problem. It could be something inside the box I suppose. Check all your connections again, and make sure you have a good solid 12v connection to the box, and also a good ground to the box. I had both hot and ground on mine running right to the battery. I ran the 6A for years with no problems at all, very reliable unit. And that part about waiting 5 seconds before starting the car; It's another old wive's tale, it should start right up.

On the last reply, why would a remote starter button make a difference?? I dont get that part.

Make sure you're not using the factory coil wire (resistor).

I had a ten-year-old MSD 5 that went bad as you describe yours. Sometimes it would crank forever and not start, other times it would fire right up. Eventually, it would never start. Never had a problem with it quitting if the engine was running, only non-starting.

Sent it to MSD with $25, it was repaired and returned. This would have been about '88. I'm still using that box on my work truck.

The car runs great once it starts. The wire to the dist. is a new thick MSD wire. The ground and hot wires are running straight to the battery.
Schurkey, thanks for replying it sounds like my box is doing the same thing as yours. I am sending mine in today!

Thanks,
Danny

I installed a new 6AL and drove to lunch the long way. I parked, had lunch and the car never started again. It ran a total of 11 minutes. After 6 trips back and forth from home, I got a new 6AL box from the store. Hooked it up and have never had a problem since. Me thinks there is a real quality control problem at MSD...11 minutes then death?

Why do circle track racers run 2 MSD boxes with a selector switch?

I'm not dissing the product, just their QC.