MSD Problem

From: John Lindsay (jlindsay@oharamfg.com)
Date: Fri Apr 18 1997 - 19:30:53 EDT


 Been having some problems with my Dak ('95 V8, SLT, CC, auto, 4x4). Twice
in the last two weeks, while my wife was driving it, it refused to start.

 The first time, she drove it 75 miles or so, came back 8 hours later & it
would crank, but not start. She called me at home, & I told her to open the
hood & make sure all of the plug/coil wires on the dist. cap were on tight.
She pushed them all down, & it started. I think this might be just a
coincidence.

 The second time, I was out of town on business so she couldn't call, but
she did the same thing.... pushed on all the wires, no good..... she had to
have it towed home. I got back home 4 days later, turned the key, & it fired
right up. Drove it all day today with no problems.

 I put the MSD system in 2 weeks or so before this started.

 Here's the only things I can guess are the problem...

 (1) The MSD unit is bad.

     Doesn't seem likely, since electronics tend to either work or not work. An
     intermittent internal short is possible though.

 (2) The MSD unit has a wire that's supposed to go to a "switched 12v power
     source".... something turned on when the key is turned on. I ran mine to
     the + wire that originally went to the coil. The thing is, this is not a
     "constant" switched power source..... the computer only sends 12v to the
     coil while cranking or running. With the key in the run position, but
     engine off, there's no voltage. But it worked. Or at least it seems to
     work. I've only had these two incidents.

 You guys with MSD's, where did you run that wire to? Any other ideas? I'm
starting to get "that look", that says "the truck was =fine= before you
decide to mess with it". You know the look.

        Thanx for any input.

                                   Maddog
 

 



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