Need help with MSD 6AL install (replacing Permatune)

[GT2BH]

Well, the car won't start again.. the starter seems to get heavier.. Tried flipping the green and violet but no difference..

[dicklague]

Your problem could be intermittent 12 VDC on the heavy red wire hooked to the fuse box.


I would NOT connect the the 12vdc on all the time heavy red wire to the fuse panel.

I learned this the hard way with my Daytona Sensors install. the new CDI draws more current than the Permatune or the Bosch. I found that the 14 pin connector was dirty and the 12 vdc coming from the starter was not on all the time.

I went back to the bundle that goes into the 14 pin and opened it and tapped into the larges red wire there which hooks straight to the starter. I put in a 20 amp fuse and that solved my problem for good. Now I knew I had good solid 12 VDC from the starter. By the way, I cleaned the 14 pin connector and it worked, but I never did trust it again to provide enough power to a good modern CDI. I know the Daytona-Sensors draws 5- 8 amps at full RPM

This is what it looks like.




If you want to troubleshoot, run a heavy wire to the battery and see if it starts OK. this is how I trouble shot mine.

[GT2BH]

I am not sure how many people tapped into the heavy red from the 14-pin connector versus passing a wire directly from the starter.. What would be the most practical solution?

[Brian 162]

When I installed the MSD on my car (after removing a Permatune unit) I ran the red wire directly to the starter. I've never had an issue since 2008.

[timmy2]

Using the constant hot from the 14 pin connector was meant as a temporary solution to just get the car to start and run (as per email about testing the MSD) until doing a permanent install with a proper fused constant hot run from the starter. It may just be the really old fuse holder causing problems as it heats up. A direct run with an in line fuse from the other side of the fuse may help. The best is to run it from the starter.

[GT2BH]

Alright - I'll work on the car tomorrow to do a proper fused wire from the starter. Any tips would be appreciated.

[timmy2]

For what you are doing, (just to have it run reliably enough to tune up the other components) run a red #12 AWG stranded automotive wire with GXL or TXL 105C rated insulation.
Install a large crimped ring connector at the starter end, and at the other end install a 15 amp inline fuse holder and fuse, and then connect the fat red wire from the MSD to it.

You can secure the new wire in the engine bay along the side and the rear of the compartment until just to the right of center, and then run it over to the engine and then down through the weird looking rectangular grommet mounted to the engine tin where the engine harness goes through to get it to the starter area.

Disconnect the battery first!

[GT2BH]

Originally Posted by timmy2

For what you are doing, (just to have it run reliably enough to tune up the other components) run a red #12 AWG stranded automotive wire with GXL or TXL 105C rated insulation.
Install a large crimped ring connector at the starter end, and at the other end install a 15 amp inline fuse holder and fuse, and then connect the fat red wire from the MSD to it.

You can secure the new wire in the engine bay along the side and the rear of the compartment until just to the right of center, and then run it over to the engine and then down through the weird looking rectangular grommet mounted to the engine tin where the engine harness goes through to get it to the starter area.

Disconnect the battery first!

Thanks Dennis

Got the goods.. will install soon

[GT2BH]

Looks like "soon" will become "later". I went under the car and found the weird looking grommet, however I could not locate it from inside the engine bay. I have no idea how to pass the wire through it, so I'll do some research on here and see what I find.

Received the history documents on my car today and discovered that the starting issue has been there for a long time. Hoping this plus the new fuel pump and high torque starter solve the problem.

[timmy2]

If you are just going to wire it up temporarily to get the car running, you could just pass the wire through the rear rubber gasket at the engine tin in the same area. (Just to the right of center)
Slide a 12 inch long rubber hose over the wire where it will rub against the engine tin for safety.
Just don't leave it that way indefinitely.

[GT2BH]

Originally Posted by timmy2

If you are just going to wire it up temporarily to get the car running, you could just pass the wire through the rear rubber gasket at the engine tin in the same area. (Just to the right of center)
Slide a 12 inch long rubber hose over the wire where it will rub against the engine tin for safety.
Just don't leave it that way indefinitely.

I'm looking for a permanent solution now so I'd rather get it done right the first time

[GT2BH]

The adventure continues! After passing the wire through to the engine (thanks Dennis!), I tried removing the starter nut and it came clean off! It seems my starter has rusted through.. thankfully I've already placed an order for a new starter. Everything will be on pause I tell I receive my package from our host

[timmy2]

Well, you have definitely found the starter issue!!!

[GT2BH]

Well, it took this long for me to get my new starter and other trinkets to get the job done.

Here is my old starter showing the damage


Original starter vs new high torque starter



After all said and done (plus 4 hours)


I had also installed a new accumulator and filter, so I turned the key on to start the fuel pump and not the engine, and noticed a little burst of fuel which then stopped. Noticed that this hose would spray fuel if I pushed it. Anyone know the best way to fix it? When the car running it doesn't leak.



I felt like a champ when the car started quickly, but that lasted all of 2 mins until I dropped the dipstick into the oil tank.. d'oh