Question on MSDS install on 79 930

Eric Mckenna · 05-11-2004, 05:11 AM

Hey Guys..
I'm trying to install a MSD 6AL on my 930 and haven't got the car to fire yet. I'm thinking that the MSD is not reading the signal from the distributer. The distributer uses Hall Effect sensor for output, which I believe is the same as SCs but I'm not sure. I'm wondering which way is the correct way to wire up the distributer, with the magnetic input to the MSD (Violet & Green wires) or the points/amlified ignition input (White wire). I know the car doesn't have points, but I'm not sure if the Hall Effect acts as a magnetic pickup. The other wires in the system are pretty self explanitory, and the car runs with a Permatune and stock coil. I haven't tried to manually fire the MSD to check the Blaster 2 coil. I really need to know which input to use for sure and if the signal from the distributer needs to be altered in any way with a diode or resistor to get the MSD to recognize it. Thanks for any help.

Thanks..
Iam asking this for my Buddy..
Thanks Guys

Eric Mckenna · 05-11-2004, 05:52 AM

bump.

Early_S_Man · 05-11-2004, 07:35 AM

Eric,

AFIK, Turbos don't use a Hall-Effect sensor in the distributor, but rather a magnetic-pickup coil -- just like SCs.

1. Check the condition of the Green signal cable from the distributor to ignition unit ... cracks in the insulation can develop and shorting out of the 1 - 2 Volt AC signal can occur. A multimeter set to Ohms can verify continuity and correct resistance while wiggling the Green cable near the distributor end. Change setting to AC Volts and monitor the trigger signal during cranking ... you should be looking for a steady signal without much variation during cranking.

2. The pickup coil should measure 600 Ohms at room temperature ... at the input to the CDI-unit. An oscilloscope monitoring the input trigger signal [during cranking] is one way to verify the condition of pickup and signal cable. A steady signal good enough to trigger and display on the scope is a good sign.

jluetjen · jluetjen's Garage

When in doubt, call MSD. That is what I did and they were very helpful even though my car was a '69E with a non-standard ignition system.

Eric Mckenna · 05-11-2004, 08:27 AM

Thanks Guys..

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

I recently put an MSD ignition box on my SC and used the master plug that plugged into the Bosch CDI by putting flat 1/4" male connectors on the MSD wires and plugged them into the master plug. If you look at the end of the master plug, one side is beveled on the ends. Holding the master plug with the bevels towards you, the black coil wire plugs into the front left, the black tach wire plugs into the front middle and the purple magnetic pickup wire plugs into the right front. On the back row, the orange coil wire plugs into the left socket, the small red (switched 12v) wire plugs into the middle rear and the green magnetic pickup wire plugs into the right rear. With that done, ground the large gauge black ground wire. I opted for overkill and grounded it to both the chassis and the engine. The remaining large red wire should pull +12 volts directly from the battery. The easiest way to do that is to put a 1/4" ring connector on the wire and connect it to the starter post with the existing yellow wire. Just to be safe, I ran the red unswitched power wire thru a 20 amp fuse. Hope this helps!

Fred Cook
'80 911SC coupe