MSD 85551 Distributor

[jsup]

Anyone have a problem with an 85551 distributor, I'm not getting an output to my ECU. Before I deem it defective I have some questinos. .

I took the dist apart to lock down the timing advance, put everything back together.

Anything you think I need to look at, I changed over the ignition and ECU in one shot, I am not getting a signal from the distributor to the ECU, I checked pin outs and continuity to the ECU. All seems OK. I can't seem to find a problem

Is it common these distributors have out of box failures?
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[94cobra69ss396]

I'm running an MSD distributor on both the Chevelle and the Cobra and both worked fine. Are you using an MSD box too?

[enkeivette]

I don't like MSD distributors. I had a problem with one, had to send it back in after I found a loose wire when I took it apart, brand new. Their QC needs improvement.

On the dyno it put out intermittent spark. Swapped it out, this one works ok. Although I did just have some ignition problems this last weekend, not sure yet what it is.

[Vettezuki]

I know Glenn is (BRUTAL) is not a fan of MSD.

[enkeivette]

Mallory is like half the cost, next time I'll give them a try.

[jsup]

I am using the MSD 6AL digital programmable box. Here's how it works....the Dist feeds the ECU which, then feeds the MSD 6AL. The ECU is not getting a signal from the distributor.

The way to check the distributor is two fold. ONe is resistance across the coil, which I get, the other is to check AC output of the dist, which should be 300-500 MV. Which it is.

I'm at a loss. Need to call ECU manufacturer. The car FIRES once in the while, rarely. If the MSD isn't giving the signal, nothing else works. Watching the ECU, I'm getting no reading on the RPM gauge. So it's not reading the Distributor.

[94cobra69ss396]

I don't understand how the 6AL receives an input from the ECU or even how the ECU is involved beside maybe receiving a tach signal from the 6AL. Here's a diagram of how the instructions show it should be connected with the box.

http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/500/MSD6AL.jpg

[jsup]

The ECU accepts the signal from the distributor.

That's the way the system works. This is my first experience with this ECU so I'm trying to figure it out.

Probably something stupid I'm doing, the ECU manufacturer is diligently looking into this.

[94cobra69ss396]

The ECU accepts the signal from the distributor.

That's the way the system works. This is my first experience with this ECU so I'm trying to figure it out.

Probably something stupid I'm doing, the ECU manufacturer is diligently looking into this.

So you have the green/violet wires from the distributor connected to the ECU and then the ECU connected to the 6AL?

[94cobra69ss396]

I found this for a megasquirt, maybe it will help you.

http://www.megamanual.com/ms2/msd6a.htm

[jsup]

So you have the green/violet wires from the distributor connected to the ECU and then the ECU connected to the 6AL?

Yep. It's black/orange black/purple. Then they connect to a harness, which is purple/green. That connects into the ECU harness.

[jsup]

I found this for a megasquirt, maybe it will help you.

http://www.megamanual.com/ms2/msd6a.htm

Thanks, not sure, as it's not a megasquirt, but now I know what questions to ask.

Waiting to hear.