A reliable ignition system is crucial to the engine’s health and performance. If your car has an MSD ignition box, you understand how helpful it is at ensuring complete combustion. It fires multiple high-current sparks to ignite the fuel mixture, allowing the engine to generate more power.
But like other vehicle components, the MSD ignition box can malfunction and fail to produce the required sparks. As a result, it can affect your engine’s performance and overall health. Recognizing the symptoms of a bad MSD ignition box can help you take action to prevent unexpected breakdowns.
I list seven symptoms you should pay attention to if you suspect your MSD ignition box is failing.
Common Symptoms of a Faulty MSD Ignition Box
The tell-tale signs of a bad MSD ignition box are:
- Difficulty starting
- Engine backfires
- Engine stalling
- Flickering dashboard lights
- Ignition key not turning
- No starter sound
- Engine smelling bad
Difficulty Starting
Does your engine take longer to start or fail to turn up at all? While several issues can lead to this problem, a bad MSD ignition box could be to blame. Before ruling out a malfunctioning MSD ignition, ensure your battery, fuel system, alternator, and fuses are working optimally.
A bad MSD ignition box will cause the engine to crank like usual but fail to start or take longer to start. Note that the ignition spark should light up before closing the intake valve and after opening the exhaust valve. When this happens on time, the spark will fire up the fuel mixture, allowing the engine to start.
If the MSD ignition is problematic, it’ll affect the spark timing that allows the engine to start. In this case, the ignition won’t generate the appropriate spark timing, thus affecting the combustion process. Failure to produce sparks when needed means no combustion to start the engine.
Backfires
If you’re driving and the engine suddenly starts to backfire, the MSD ignition box might have gone bad. A backfiring engine will produce a loud pop sound from the exhaust. Usually, this issue occurs when an unburned fuel mixture ignites in the exhaust.
Damaged wiring, loose connections, or a short circuit in the MSD ignition box can prevent the creation of the required spark. Consequently, there’ll be no spark in the ignition system, causing the fuel mixture to go into the exhaust system unburnt.
Remember that spark timing is essential in ensuring proper combustion in the cylinders. So, if the MSD ignition fires too early or late, the air-fuel mixture will enter the exhaust system. When the mixture combusts outside the cylinders, you’ll experience backfires.
Engine Stalling
Engine stalling is among the common symptoms of a bad MSD ignition box. In most cases, your engine might stall during idling or driving at low speeds. So, how does the ignition box cause the engine to stall?
The engine requires consistent sparks to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the cylinders. This ignition keeps the engine running, even at idle or low speeds. However, if the MSD ignition box fails, it might produce inconsistent or no spark.
The fuel mixture fails to ignite if the ignition doesn’t produce a spark. As a result, the engine becomes less powerful and shuts off unexpectedly. An engine stalling can be dangerous, particularly when driving uphill or navigating turns.
Sometimes, the engine will restart after a few minutes and keep running. However, if you’ve not addressed the root cause, your engine might stall again after driving for a while.
Flickering Dashboard Lights
Warning lights on the dashboard signify problems with your vehicle’s health. If the onboard computer detects issues with the ignition system, a check engine light will appear on the dash. But why do several warning lights flicker on the dash while driving?
The warning lights might constantly flicker if you have a failing MSD ignition box. Sometimes, the warning lights will flicker, but the engine won’t start.
Most drivers and auto DIYers assume the battery, alternator, or starter switch is defective. The truth is, if these components are faulty, the warning lights might flicker while starting the engine. So, inspect them to see if they’re okay.
If you find no issue with these components, the MSD ignition box might be faulty. Usually, the MSD ignition’s connections could be corroded, loose, or damaged. Also, electrical shorts in this component can trigger this problem.
Ignition Key Not Turning
The ignition key needs to be turned to the ON position to start the engine. If your key doesn’t turn, there could be something wrong with the ignition system.
First, check the ignition lock to see if it’s engaged. An engaged ignition lock will prevent the ignition key from turning. Disengage this lock by turning/wiggling the steering wheel left and right as you turn the ignition key.
However, if the key fails to turn after engaging the ignition lock, the MSD ignition box might be defective. An ignition key not turning means your engine won’t start. You must check the ignition box and fix the underlying problem.
No Starter Sound
Your car should make a humming noise when starting and as the engine begins to run. This traditional noise indicates that your engine is starting correctly.
If there’s complete silence when starting your car, the MSD ignition box might be defective. Sometimes, you might hear a clicking sound similar to that of a failing starter. Some vehicles might be quieter than others, but complete silence indicates a problematic ignition box.
Like other symptoms of a bad MSD ignition box, the problem could be damaged wiring, corrosion, or electrical shorts in the ignition box. So, you must examine the box and fix the problem.
Engine Smelling Bad
A faulty MSD ignition box can affect how your car’s engine smells. Electrical shorts can burn the wires and connections, leading to a foul smell emanating from the box. You’ll notice a strong burning smell from your engine compartment if the MSD ignition wires burn while driving.
Usually, a burning smell from this component will come hand in hand with the engine stalling. So, if the burning smell doesn’t cause the engine to stall, the problem doesn’t stem from the ignition box. You might be dealing with an overheating engine or burnt wires in the engine compartment.
Question: What Should You Do if You Have a Bad MSD Ignition Box?
An MSD ignition can fail due to several issues. First, identify the cause of ignition failure. The MSD ignition can fail due to age and wear, improper installation, moisture, corrosion, voltage irregularities, and wiring issues.
Once you’ve identified the cause, look for the best possible solution. You can replace damaged wiring and tighten loose connections. If the connections appear corroded, spray a contact cleaner on the affected parts. You can also seek help from a professional to repair or replace the ignition box.
Wrapping Up
This guide helps you easily recognize the symptoms of a bad MSD ignition box. If you’re a DIY enthusiast, inspect the ignition box for defects and resolve the underlying problem. Should all your attempts fail to fix a bad MSD ignition, allow an experienced mechanic to repair or replace the component.