Owners manual

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 13
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IGNITION ADAPTERS
If your vehicle does not operate correctly or if you experience a no-run situation you probably need
an MSD Ignition Adapter.
Some vehicles with electronic fuel injection systems may require an MSD Ignition Adapter to run
properly. 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. If your vehicle’s engine starts and then shuts off after a short period of time
or the check engine light turns on then your vehicle will require an Ignition Adapter. An MSD Ignition
Adapter, PN 8912, PN 89121 or PN 8917 will usually remedy the problem.
The chart below lists most of the vehicles that require an Ignition Adapter. It is very important that the
Adapter(s) be installed at the same time that the DIS Ignition is installed to prevent activation of the
check engine light. On OBD II equipped vehicles resetting of the check engine light requires special
computer diagnostic equipment. On vehicles not listed install the DIS Ignition before purchasing the
Adapter, to see if the ignition will operate properly without the Adapter(s).
INSTALLING THE PN 8912 IGNITION ADAPTER
The number of adapters required is determined by the number of cylinders on the engine. Four
cylinder engines will require one Adapter, 6 and 8 - cylinders require two. Attach the PN 8912 Adapter
as shown in Figure 14.
If you still experience problems after installing the adapters, call the MSD Customer Service Department
for further instruction.
VEHICLE ADAPTER QTY REQUIRED
Mitsubishi Eclipse, Galant, Mirage, Montero, Precis, Expo 8912 1
Eagle Talon, Summit 8912 1
Dodge Avenger, Neon, Stratus, Caravan 8912 1
2003-On 8917
Chrysler Sebring, Cirrus 8912 1
Plymouth Breeze, Voyager, Acclaim, Colt, Sundance, Laser 8912 1
Ford V8 Coil-Per-Cylinder Ignitions, '99-On 89121 4
(Two DIS-4 Ignitions are required)
Ford V8 Coil Pack Ignitions, '96-'98 8912 2
NOTE: Saturn will require one Cam Sync Adapter, PN 8914.
WARNING: The MSD Digital DIS Series Ignitions are capacitive discharge ignitions. High voltage is
present at the coil primary terminals. Do not touch the coil or connect test equipment
to the terminals.
PRESTART CHECK LIST
• Theonlywiresconnectedtothecoilnegative(-)terminals/wiresaretheMSDBrown/White,Brown/
Green, Brown/Yellow, Brown/Violet.
• Theonlywireconnectedtothecoilpositive(+)terminals/wiresistheMSDBrown/Orange.
• Theonlywiresconnectedtothefactoryharnesswires(triggerinput)aretheMSDWhite,Green,
Yellow, Violet.
• ThesmallRedwireoftheMSDisconnectedtoaswitched12voltsource(factoryharness).
• IfusingaMSDDigitalDISIgnitionona4-cylinderengineequippedwithsinglecoilspercylinder,
the firing cycle select must be programmed for no wastespark (720° firing S4 - Off).
• TheMSDpowerleadsareconnecteddirectlytothebatterypositiveandnegativeterminals.
• Thebatteryisconnectedandfullychargedifnotusinganalternator.
• Theengineisequippedwithatleastonegroundstraptothechassis.