Is my new MSD bad? No spark at coils.

[curoswiss]

I just finished installing my MSD with Pertronix and dual MSD High shock Coils as it's now twin plug and I'm getting no spark. All wires are correct and I have verified power to the unit and have a sold ground.

I have tried to spark the coils but get NOTHING. Am I missing something or is my unit bad? I have a spare but wonder if I should try something else 1st...

Any help is appreciated.

[curoswiss]

I called MSD and explained my problem. Tech support said that the ignition wire needs to send a minimum of 9 volts to the thin red wire that is also hooked to the Pertronix. Tech said if I get 0 then I should wire directly to the ignition key.

I just checked and the ignition wire I'm hooking to in the engine bay is getting 11.86 v

[JohnJL]

Can you post a wiring diagram of exactly what you have installed?

[curoswiss]

This is it.

[JohnJL]

You might trying to simply the wiring first...leave the adapter and one set of boxes out. You say you have twin coils and plugs but the diagram above only shows one set.

I have twin-plugged with MSD and didnt need the adapter or the pertronix so I cant help with those.

[Bob Kontak]

Here is some reading. Not sure it will solve your problem.

Porsche Twin Distributor/Twin Plug Engine - MSD Ignition Tech Support Forums

[curoswiss]

@ JohnJL yes I'm running the coils in parallel as recommended by MSD. I am able to get spark at the coil by disconnecting the white wire and grounding it. Still no spark at the plugs however.

Could the problem be with the Pertronix

[curoswiss]

I called Pertronix tech support and was given the following instructions to test the unit.



Hopefully I'll be able to check this in the afternoon.

[Tippy]

I'm no help but have installed three 6AL's on different cars and never did they work the first time.

Seems the diagrams are not accurate.

[vash]

just so you know. that MSD display you see on the counter of every hotrod shop? it is also a test unit. you can bring in your MSD and plug it in to the display to test if your's is working.

my shop had to fab up a few quick wires with alligator clips, but it takes seconds to test. i've messed up a few units. i have a friend that works for MSD. he got it fixed for me, and now i have an extra. he sent me one brand new unit to use, and he said to keep it once i got my old one repaired.

i had bought one, but returned it. two spares would be hoarding.

[curoswiss]

Well as it turns out the MSD I bought on eBay is a fake... F*^&#*#(#)

I bought a unit from my local parts store reinstalled and the car started to fire.

It also turns out that my Timing Light is broken so that will need to wait until tomorrow.