MSD streetfire problem - I think !

[first time builder]

I installed a MSD streetfire cd with new MSD dizzy 85805 and MSD Blaster coil last August. (tall deck 351 -427) All was fine, untill today the owner drove car for breakfast, parked car , came out started car, went to back up and car died. tried to restart no good. He called me I went to vehicle and found that now from trying to start car he killed battery. Considering battery is 8 yrs old we replaced it with a new Optima 1000 ca. Started car up first shot, then car died, took plug wire and held near bolt no spark, but while cranking got spark and car started. Shut off reconnect plug wire , no start. disconnect again , no spark then while cranking for like 10 seconds got spark. This happened like 4 times Called AAA for tow. I briefly checked the ground wires and lead to box and coil all seem good.
Anybody with problems with this streetfire system ? Tomorrow will start by actually checking voltage and grounds with meter and then try to replace coil.
Kenny

[tkrupinski]

Look online to see if there is an MSD trouble shooting sheet on that box. My experience with MSD has been great with the 6al boxes but I have had nothing but bad luck with a few of there other boxes. If the street fighter box is bad throw a 6AL on it and all will be fine. The last digital 6 plus box I installed lasted a whole 50 miles.

[edwardb]

I've used regular MSD boxes in both of my builds with good luck. Wasn't familiar with the MSD Street Fire line, but based on the instructions and a quick search appear to wire and test just like regular MSD boxes. Make sure the ground and power leads are rock solid. Very important for MSD boxes. There's a testing method for the box explained in the instructions. I would suggest trying that. Even if it self tests OK it's possible it could be intermittent. I've seen
that before.

The coil is a possibility, but if the ohms test OK across the leads, it's probably OK. This response from MSD explains how to check the coil: http://www.msdignition.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19205

There's also the magnetic pickup in the distributor. Something could be going on there. All of this assumes ignition is the issue.

[first time builder]

UPDATE !!!
Found a cracked negative battery cable at the tightening bolt which made batt cable loose. Replaced cable and car started right up and drove it 6 miles and seems OK.
I called MSD to see if that could have been the problem and they said "YES" grounds are very important. What didnt make sence is why did car crank but not have spark if ground was bad. ????

Oh well see what happens.

Kenny

[first time builder]

2nd update the engine is dead again so the cracked cable wasnt the problem, I checked the coil and Dist with OHM meter as per MSD web site. Coil was a bit off. I called MSD tech they said coil is ok said that 9 out of 10 the mag pickup in dist is bad. They said if the "box" goes bad it doesnt come back. They said the pickup can be an intermitent thing. I ordered a new pick up. Hope can replace with dist in car. We will see.

Kenny

[first time builder]

Looks like edwardb got it. Replaced the pickup inside the dist and seems to be running good. The rep told me that you have to chect the ohms at the dist within seconds of the no spark condition. I was able to replace the pickup with the dist in the engine.

Kenny