[dbiscayne]

In my '68 Fairlane, after hooking up the MSD 6A box I've got a little problem, the car won't shut off with the key. In the instructions it mentions this, and they give you a diode to wire into the charge light circuit. But in their instructions they make it look so easy, like the wire is right at the voltage regulator.
I took a long hard look at the wiring diagram for my car and it seems more like the wire is under the dash, and there's no way I'm gonna be able to hook that diode up to the charge light circuit under the dash.

There is a second alternative using a chrys... dual post resistor that may work, anyone try that?

Anyone ever used the diode from MSD to solve their run-on problem, or have any other fixes?

I did pull the bulb out of the charge light and that didn't fix it.

heres a link to MSD's run on solution, you have to scroll down a little-
www.msdignition.com/1troub1.htm

 

[MJMcCarthy4]

I didnt even bother hooking the unit to the key and just put a toggle switch in the wire sending power to my MSD box and hid the switch. Only thing my key does is power the gauges and the starter.

 

[FEandGoingBroke]

Sounds like you need a toggle too... if your charging system is running your msd box then the car will run until empty once it started, unless you install it using a hot lead that goes COLD when the key is turned off, and it is not linked up with the charging system....

FE

 

[CaptVirgilHilts]

Hook the unit up via a relay that is powered from the ignition switch, you turn the key off and the relay opens. Voila box off. Stu

 

[Motorhead]

Have you tried just hooking the diode to terminal 1 of your voltage reculator like the diagram says? That is probably the same wire that goes all the way in to your charge light, so it doesn't matter where you hook it in the wire, go to the easiest spot... at the regulator like the picture shows.

 

[FEandGoingBroke]

Yeah... what motorhead said....

 

[67falconer]

My msd box came with a diode that hooks to the voltage regulator and keeps the alternator field from staying energized when you shut off the ignition. Without it you will get run on. The diode must be installed in the right direction (polarity) or it wont work right.

 

[dbiscayne]

Alright I'll splice it at the voltage regulator. Only question is which end is the no. 1 wire the top or the bottom of the regulator? At the top is a green w/orange stripe and bottom is solid orange. I think I can get that with trial and error.

 

[Motorhead]

Just a guess, but if you pull the connector off it MIGHT have numbering somewhere on/in the connector, or possibly on the voltage regulator's connector? From my experience, IIRC green/orange is usually the keyed/switched power from the ignition switch, so I'd try the solid orange first.

 

[Luv70sFords]

IF you have an older, mechanical voltage regulator, replace it with a solid state unit. My dad had the same problem, and was looking at wiring the diode in when I took a look at this goofy, 1970's era aftermarket regulator. I snatched the newer unit off my mustang and plugged it in. Problem solved.

 

[Brian M]

I never ran in to this problem, however I ran things a bit differently. I took the previous hot coil wire, that is switched by the key, ran it to a relay which hooks up by the battery and powers a terminal strip. Now you have a terminal strip that is capable of up to 30 amps that is switched on/off with the key. I hooked the small red wire to this, and the large set of wires to the battery. No problems with it setup like that.

 

[dbiscayne]

I spliced the diode into the solid orange at the bottom of the row of wires at the volt reg.
It started, and shut off, but the alt. light stayed on a little dim. Drove it around, came back and the battery is dead. Guess I'll try the wire at the other end.
And I did try wiring the diode in pointing either direction, one way it wouldn't shut off, but the alt. light didn't stay on-the other way it would shut off but the alt. light stays dim and obviously is killin my battery.

 

[dbiscayne]

swapped the diode to the top wire on the reg., green w/orange stripe, that was it- shuts off and no more charge light stayin on.

 

[mrlucky390]

had same problem on a boss mustang and used a ballast resister ,i thing i got the resister from a aftermarket auto store as per used on chrysler cars ok bill

 

[dbiscayne]

I saw that too on the MSD instruction sheet, had just picked up a chrysler ballast (w/ 4 terminals) and was going to go that route when I decided to give the diode one last shot. I just picked the wrong wire on the volt. reg. the first time, it was either wire no. 1 or wire no. 4 I was hooking up to and like everything else on this car it has to be done twice- it's a learning experience. Twice is nice.

 

[rnourse]

Which way did you face the diode?