Owners manual

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 5
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PRESTART CHECKLIST
• ThePowerGrid7,PN7720,MUSTbeproperlyconnectedtotheSystemController,PN7730.
Consult the PN 7730 Quick Start Guide to ensure starting parameters.
• TheonlywiresconnectedtothecoilterminalsaretheMSDOrangetocoilpositive(+)andMSD
Black to coil negative (-).
• TheMSDpowerleadsareconnecteddirectlytothebatterypositiveandnegativeterminals.
• Thebatteryisconnectedandfullychargedifnotusingachargingsystem.
• Theengineisequippedwithatleastonegroundstraptothechassis.Groundstrapsconnecting
both heads to the block and then to the chassis are ideal.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Every MSD Ignition undergoes numerous quality control checks including a 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 [phone], 7 - 5 MST.
MISSES AND INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS
Experience at the races has shown that if your engine is experiencing a miss or hesitation at higher rpm,
it is usually not directly ignition related. Most probable causes include a coil or plug wire failure, arcing
from the cap or boot plug to ground or spark ionization inside the cap. Several items to inspect are:
•Alwaysinspecttheplugwiresatthecapandattheplugforatightconnectionandvisually
inspect for cuts, abrasions or burns.
•InspectthePrimaryCoilWireconnections.BecausetheMSDisaCapacitiveDischarge
ignition and it receives a direct 12 volt source from the battery, there will not be any voltage
at the Coil Positive (+) terminal even with the key turned On. During cranking or while
the engine is running, very high voltage will be present and no test equipment should be
connected.
•Makesurethatthebatteryisfullychargedandtheconnectionsarecleanandtight.Ifyou
are not running an alternator this is an imperative check. If the battery voltage falls below
10 volts during a race, the MSD output voltage will drop.
•Istheenginerunningleanorexcessivelyrich?Inspectthesparkplugsandfuelsystem.
•Inspectallwiringconnectionsforcorrosionordamage.Remembertoalwaysuseproper
connections followed by soldering and seal the connections completely.
If everything checks positive, use the following procedure to test for spark. MSD also offers an Ignition
Tester, PN 8998. This tool allows you to check your complete ignition system while it is in the car as
well as the operation of rpm limits, activated switches and shift lights.