Technical information

AUTOTRONIC CONTROLS CORPORATION • 1490 HENRY BRENNAN, EL PASO, TEXAS 79936 • [phone] • FAX [phone]
www.msdignition.com email: [e-mail]
101
START/RETARD CONTROL, PN 8982
The MSD Start Retard Control provides a start retard and a single stage of retard. The start retard can be set for 10°
or 25° during cranking. When the engine is cranked, the timing will retard until the engine reaches over 1,300 rpm.
At this point it will return and stay at the set timing.
There is also a step retard that is adjustable with plug-in modules. This retard is controlled by the Gray wire. It will
be activated when the Gray wire is removed from ground.
The PN 8982 must be used with an MSD Ignition Control and can be used on 4, 6 or 8-cylinder engines.
Start Retard
Retard Stage
There is a single stage of retard that is activated when the Gray wire is removed from ground. When the retard is not
being used, the Gray wire MUST be grounded or a Zero degree module must be installed.
Gray: When this wire is removed from ground, the retard stage is activated.
Red:
Black:
Yellow:
Connects to switched 12 volt source.
Connects to ground.
This is the trigger output to the Ignition. It will connect to the MSD’s White wire or Points
terminal.
White:
Violet and Green:
Connects to points or an ignition amplifier output. When this wire is used the Magnetic
Pickup is not (Violet and Green).
These wires are routed together in one harness and form the magnetic pickup connector.
This connector plugs directly into an MSD Distributor or Crank Trigger. The Violet wire is
positive (+) and the Green wire is negative (-). When this connector is used, the White wire
is not and should be sealed.
General Wiring
Trigger Wires
Violet:
Violet Loop:
Activates the start retard when supplied to 12 volts. Once the engine reaches over 1,300
rpm, the retard will be deactivated and will not return again until the ignition is turned Off
or engine rpm drops below 400 rpm.
Under the cover next to the Blue and Red cylinder loops is a Violet loop. This adjusts the
start retard. When it is not cut, the retard is 10°, cutting it will retard it 25°.
VIOLET LOOP
(START RETARD)
RED LOOP
BLUE LOOP
HIGH SPEED
RETARD MODULE
RETARD
10
25
CUT LOOP
NONE
VIOLET
CYLINDERS
8
6
4
CUT LOOPS
NONE
RED
RED
&
BLUE