The MSD I just hooked up came from a board member many years ago. (I have just now finally gotten around to hooking it up...kids!) The Diode did not come with it and I cant find it on the MSD web site. I have checked the local electronic shops and they are not much help. Anyone know where to get the Diode? it is listed as a 1A-100V --->--. Thanks, James McDaniel
James, You only need it if you experience run on after you turn off the ignition. You should be able to simply pick one up at Radio Shack or another electronics store. Diodes allow voltage to flow only one way. That one is rated at 1 amp and 100 volts. Nothing really special about the one MSD supplies. Here's a forum for MSD questions and answers. http://www.msdignition.com/forum/
Larry, My car has the run on problem. I went to radio shack and didnt get the most knowledgable employee. Maybe I will go back in to see if I can talk to someone else. If a newer voltage regulater is used with the diode already in it, will that take care of my run problem? I have the older mechanical style on my car now. Thanks
I would say so. I have an internally regulated alternator on my 70 GS with the MSD Digital 6, and no run on problems ever. Just go into Radio Shack and ask where the diodes are. You should be able to find the right one.
diode this is what your after,mine are bigger than what you need but look identical.remember to get the current flow direction correct.a pack of 3 is $2.39 at my R/S store :TU:
HAve a mild run-on problem with mine as well but the idle is much higher in park (1200) than in drive (800). So I just turn it off in park.
Ok, so i found the diode at radio shack and soldered it in per the instructions. My car shuts off fine now but now my 'gen' light stays on! Any idea as to what i did wrong? thanks for any help! James McDaniel
Some info from Dave Ray, The Ignitionman "Larry, For the MSD won't shut down poster, MSD diode can be substituted with this one NTE 116. NTE is the manufacturer, 116 is the value it will hold. These are usually priced under 50 cents at any good electronics store. There is a cathode (silver band) on one end of the diode, THAT end goes towords the alternator, in the feed line. Regards, IgnitionMan."
Thanks guys! I just flipped the Diode around (opposite what the pic in the instructions looked) and it works great. I expected better start up, and maybe idle a little better/cleaner. But, from my drive in to work this morning it seems to search for traction at a 15 mph roll more than it did before. My idle even seems a little higher in gear. Is it normal at all to get a decent increase in HP from a MSD box? It really ran well before I out it in. No misses, bogs, or flat spots. I may need too install my headers soon! I may get a another 10 foot patch from second gear!
Question on diode connection The guage wire on the diode is significantly smaller than the brown alt wire, when you splice this in, do you just push the diode wire into the alt wire under the insulation, and tape real well. Reason that is ask is, even if you did a nice solder job, the diode set up is week and could break easily due to wire bending? Does this make sense? Also, MSD said to solder all connections, however as of right now I did not, I used the crimp connections with a good amount of tape to cover, then insulated the whole set-up with that corregated tube. Please advise, thanks.
I have done this about 15 times now, all per Dave's recommendation, same diode. He has me solder the diode in place, and run a section of shrink tubing over both solder joints and diode, heat, and do it again with a larger section of shrink tubing. This helps relieve stress on the diode. I didn't have a heat gun for the first 4 or so, but I snuck the ladyfriend's hair dryer out of the cave, and it worked well. Don't get the shrink tubing super hot, just enough th shrink it. Regards, Milton
Did you do this same process for all connections, or just this one? other than that, loud and clear, thanks.
I've only done this to new style internal regulator alternators, but, I do know the same diode goes on the older regulators. Larry probably knows just which two terminals. Regards, Milton
Everything seems good, I can feel a slight difference, but the only reason for that is I think I am running a little rich and getting better burn. I will drive it for a while to see if the plugs look any better. So far the 9" Trutrac is holding up as well, I love this posi.
