drhoward

So I have a msd 6al mounted in my trunk, i’ve had it running quite a few times before I installed my super charger and after with no issues, but all of a sudden the car won’t start. I’ve bypassed it and started it on the stock ignition and it fired right up. I’ve also replaced the harness connector to the coil (with one I had laying around from a previous setup) since the one I had on there was looking a bit weathered, still didn’t help. I’ve checked the main power heavy red wire and it’s got power in the trunk. I’ve also checked the small red and orange wire in the engine bay and the trunk with the ignition on, they both show power.

Is there anything else I should be checking or is my box just bad? It’s not a big deal to replace it, I just hate to spend the money if I don’t have to. Like I said it’s mounted in my trunk so is there anything else that could be shorting out? Any help would be appreciated.

dawson1112

My suggestion is to just follow this guide by MSD to test the box. https://www.msdperformance.com/suppo...ng_techniques/ If it doesn't pass any of the tests, just replace it.

drhoward

I was looking at that last night, I know my coil is ok since it fires up without issue running off of the stock ignition using the coil I have. I also have 12 volts on the small red wire in the engine bay and in the trunk when the ignition is in the on position. It's looking like the box is just bad but I want to check everything before I run out and buy another 300 dollar box.

mjr46

if you bypass the box and it runs...….and all connections on the box are good......simple diag = replace box

drhoward

That's what it seemed like, everything looked good as far as the connections go (everything runs under the car from the trunk to the engine bay so it's a bitch to check) so I swapped out the box for a new digital one and it still wouldn't start. Went through everything again yesterday, ie checked the power and wires and it fired up? Weird, I didn't really "fix" anything but it started right up and has been running well ever since. I'm not sure if it was the old box or if I just had a loose connection somewhere that I tightened up/giggled back into place. Is there a way to check a box off of the car? If the old one is actually still good, I'll put it up for sale but I don't want to sell a dud.

pure_kaos

You can put a voltmeter on it and check for continuity.

mjr46

ohmmeter

TrimDrip

have you tried yelling at it?

drhoward

Yeah I tried, but it didn't help. I think I was just scammed by some dude on the internet who sold me a bad box, and is not tolerant.

TrimDrip

man that sucks. I wouldn't give up though. Maybe try the ohm meter thingy?