INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

15

TROUBLESHOOTING

Every MSD Ignition undergoes numerous quality control checks including a four hour burn-in test. If

you experience a problem with your MSD, our research has shown that the majority of problems are

due to improper installation or poor connections.

The Troubleshooting section has several checks and tests you can perform to ensure proper installation

and operation of the MSD. If you have any questions concerning your MSD, call our Customer Support

Department at (915) 855-7123, 7 - 6 mountain time.

TACH/FUEL ADAPTERS

If your tachometer does not operate correctly or if you experience a no-run situation with your foreign

vehicle you probably need an MSD Tach Adapter. The chart below lists common tachometers and if

an Adapter is necessary.

NO-RUN ON FOREIGN VEHICLES

Some foreign vehicles with fuel injection systems may require an MSD Tach/Fuel Injection Adapter

to run with an MSD 6-Series Ignition. This is because many of these systems use the same trigger

source to operate the MSD, the tachometer and the fuel injection. This results in a voltage signal

that is too low to accurately trigger the fuel injection. To fix this, an MSD Tach Adapter, PN 8910, will

remedy the problem on the majority of vehicles. If the PN 8910 does not fix the problem, the PN

8910-EIS will be required.

Note: Toyotas and Ford Probes will require the PN 8910-EIS Adapter.

INOPERATIVE TACHOMETERS

If your tachometer fails to operate with the MSD installed you may need an MSD Tach Adapter. Before

getting an Adapter, try connecting your tachometer trigger wire to the tach output terminal on the

side of the MSD. This output produces a 12 volt, square wave (see page 1). If the tach still does not

operate, you will need a Tach Adapter. There are two Tach Adapters:

PN 8920: If you are using the Magnetic Pickup connector (Green and Violet wires) to trigger the MSD,

you will need the PN 8920.

PN 8910: If your tachometer was triggered from the coil negative terminal (voltage trigger) and you

are using the White wire to trigger the MSD you will need the PN 8910.

Tachometer Compatibility List

AFTERMARKET TACHOMETER

WHITE WIRE TRIGGER

MAGNETIC TRIGGER CONNECTOR

AUTOGAGE

8910

8920

AUTOMETER

NONE

NONE

FORD MOTORSPORTS

NONE

NONE

MALLORY

NONE

NONE

MOROSO

NONE

NONE

STEWART (voltage triggered)

8910

8920

S.W. & BI TORX

NONE

NONE

SUN

8910

8920

VDO

8910

8920

AMC (JEEP)

8910

8920

CHRYSLER

8910

8920

FORD (voltage triggered)

8910

8920

GENERAL MOTORS

Bypass In-Line Filter

Bypass In-line filter

IMPORTS

8910

8920

Note: On the list above, the triger wire on tachometers that are marked NONE may be connected to the Tach

Output Terminal on the MSD 6-Series Ignition Unit using the supplied Female Faston Receptacle.