EMI / RFI and setting timing = problems

[buzzinhalfdozen]

Can't really say I prefer any brand wire...Firecore makes what is probably the quietest wire out there, but again I would say your MSD wires are probably not the cause of the problem just yet. So you're saying the strobe is on all the time never flashes? WOW that would require A LOT of noise, any chance your coil wire is near where you're hooking up? that one is hot nearly all the time with engine running. I'd try seperating the wires out as far as I could, leave all other components off (water pump fan ect.) and try again.And yes, if your trigger wires were reversed you would see 10 degrees of timing change but it would be steady.

[joespanova]

Originally Posted by Sean Marconette

Joe FWIW, the wires I had were Accel 8.8 and it was suggested to install MSD 8.5 wires and the filter have never had a noise issue again.

Does the light do the same thing if clamped to a different plug wire?
Is the power and ground for the MSD box going straight to the battery?

Sorry for all the questions it's the only way to rule out stuff.

Sean

I dont mind the questions...thats why I'm here.
This grief is a pain in the arse to trouble shoot.
What filter and where is it?
I'll try another wire later today

[joespanova]

Originally Posted by buzzinhalfdozen

Can't really say I prefer any brand wire...Firecore makes what is probably the quietest wire out there, but again I would say your MSD wires are the cause of the problem just yet. So you're saying the strobe is on all the time never flashes? WOW that would require A LOT of noise, any chance your coil wire is near where you're hooking up? that one is hot nearly all the time with engine running. I'd try seperating the wires out as far as I could, leave all other components off (water pump fan ect.) and try again.And yes, if your trigger wires were reversed you would see 10 degrees of timing change but it would be steady.

LOL , no I didnt say its on "all the time" in THAT respect , I meant on all the time as it would be normally........just not readable.

[Sean Marconette]

http://www.msdignition.com/Products/...,_26_Kufd.aspx

I would not go buying this unless you have exhausted everything else.

[joespanova]

Originally Posted by Sean Marconette

http://www.msdignition.com/Products/...,_26_Kufd.aspx

I would not go buying this unless you have exhausted everything else.

So in addition to the other suggestions the nutbag at MSD suggested , why the hell dont they just suggest this?

Anyway , thanks. I look at everything else first

[buzzinhalfdozen]

Yeah I've put at least 50 or more MSD ignition systems on cars, from basic 6al to the digital stuff and have never installed one of their filters. Though it's possible it may cure yours I'd bet if anything it may mask the real problem. I'll assume you've went back thru and verified all connections and lay out of wiring is correct? Main power and ground go to batt. positive and negative? Believe it or not if those 2 things aren't true you can have some real issues. I've seen some pretty cobbled up installs of MSD systems and for the most part they all worked, however as with most things when they add more "stuff" (digital systems) the proper installation is more critical. Make sure you've got all the wires ran correctly, not just the way they were with your old system. One last thought...where is your controller mounted at least in relation to the coil and high voltage lines?

[Bob Mulry]

I know that you are not going to believe this.......But I made a mistake ONCE

I had the pickup polarity reversed and the timing mark bounced around like crazy. This was on an MSD-7A and crank trigger....

With the shielded leads they did a color swap and that caused my problem....

I reversed the leads and the problem went away....

It seems like a pretty easy test to do and it might solve your problem..

Bob

[Sean Marconette]

Originally Posted by Bob Mulry

I know that you are not going to believe this.......But I made a mistake ONCE

I had the pickup polarity reversed and the timing mark bounced around like crazy. This was on an MSD-7A and crank trigger....

With the shielded leads they did a color swap and that caused my problem....

I reversed the leads and the problem went away....

It seems like a pretty easy test to do and it might solve your problem..



Bob

That's what I experienced too Bob! The timing was jacked as well! All because I replaced the Ford distributor adapter to MSD plug with Weather pack connectors. We are our own worst enemies at times!

[joespanova]

OK , Lets end this .......thanks for all your input BTW.
I had a friend of mine stop by with his plastic ( newer than my metal body ) Actron light......and it read the timing!
Actually surprised the crap outta me........anyway , my lights that normally work are suddenly quirky..........all those lights ( 3 ) are years old with the exception of my Flaming River light.......but his worked.
Anyway , I'm buying another light ( same as his ) now I'll have 5 lights LOL

[buzzinhalfdozen]

Glad you found your issue, my first thing when someone local has this issue is to use my timing lite to see if that's the problem, then go from there. Guess one can never be sure. BTW you actually will only have 1 lite that works on your race car!