Msd 6201 Digital 6A Ignition Control- User Manual

Msd 6201 Digital 6A Ignition Control

Msd 6201 Digital 6A Ignition Control– User Manual, read for free online in PDF format. We hope this helps you resolve any issues you may have. If you have further questions, please contact us through the contact form.

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Table of Contents:

  • Page 2 – Solid Core spark plug wires cannot be used with an MSD Ignition.; GENERAL INFORMATION; Solid Core spark plug wires
  • Page 3 – both; MOUNTING; Compression Spark Plug Gap
  • Page 4 – WIRING; GENERAL WIRING INFORMATION; Power Leads
  • Page 5 – PROGRAMMING; CYLINDER SELECT; DIGITAL 6AL; Figure 2 Adjusting the Rev Limits.; REV LIMITER VERIFICATION; Enable Rev Limit Verification; CYLINDERS
  • Page 6 – override the tach memory.; CONNECTING THE DIGITAL 6AL WITH THE MSD POWER GRID SYSTEM; The 6A, PN 6201, is not compatible with the Power Grid Controller.; PRESTART CHECK LIST; White Wire Trigger; TROUBLESHOOTING; due to improper installation or poor connections.
  • Page 7 – NO-RUN ON FOREIGN VEHICLES; AFTERMARKET TACHOMETER; LED
  • Page 8 – Figure 7 Installing the Diode to a; Most other applications:; Figure 8 Wiring the Dual Ballast Resistor for Run-On.; MISSES AND INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS
  • Page 9 – CHECKING FOR SPARK; If triggering the ignition with the White wire:; WHITE WIRE TRIGGER
  • Page 10 – MSD SYSTEMS Installing to Points/Amplifier Style Ignition.; NOTE: On dual point setups, it is recommended; to remove the trailing set of points.; MSD SYSTEMS Installing to an MSD Distributor/Crank Trigger.; NOTE: Ballast Resistor is not necessary.; connects to MSD White. The positive wire connects; OR
  • Page 11 – MSD SYSTEMS Installing to an MSD Distributor PN 8360.; MSD SYSTEMS With an MSD Timing Control (points or amplifier).; Run Distributor
  • Page 12 – NOTE: MSD offers a direct plug in harness,; GM IGNITIONS Wiring a Dual Connector Coil.; NOTE: Cut and splice the two pink wires
  • Page 13 – GM IGNITIONS Wiring with an MSD Wiring Harness.; GM IGNITIONS GM Large Cap HEI Distributors; of the distributor. Count the number of terminals on both ends of
  • Page 14 – NOTE: The GM Ignition Module and
  • Page 15 – FORD IGNITIONS Wiring a Ford DuraSpark using White Wire Trigger.
  • Page 16 – FORD IGNITIONS Wiring a Ford TFI with Harness, PN 8874.; NOTE: If not using the TFI Harness, refer to the DuraSpark; wiring diagram on page 14.
  • Page 17 – CHRYSLER IGNITIONS Wiring a Late Model Dodge with 2-pin connector.; MSD offers two direct plug-in; MSD SYSTEMS Wiring a Complete Dual MSD Ignition Setup.
  • Page 18 – Wiring a Toyota with a Tach Adapt PN 8910HEI.; NOTE: Remove the coil terminal wires. The negative; wire connects to MSD White. The positive wire
  • Page 19 – AFTERMARKET COMPONENTS Wiring to a Pertronix Ignitor Kit.
  • Page 20 – Limited Warranty; or consequential damages.; Service; When returning MSD components for warranty service,; Proof of Purchase; must be supplied for verification. After; M S D; TECH NOTES
Loading the manual

M S D  

•   W W W . M S D P E R F O R M A N C E . C O M   •   ( 9 1 5 )   8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0   •   F A X   ( 9 1 5 )   8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

1

Parts Included:

1 - MSD Ignition

1 - Harness, PN 8860

1 - Mag Pickup

OPERATION AND FEATURES

DIGITAL OPERATION

The Digital 6A and 6AL use a high speed RISC microcontroller to control the ignition's output while

constantly analyzing the various inputs such as supply voltage, trigger signals and rpm. The high

speed controller can make extremely quick compensations to the output voltage, multiple spark

series, timing and rpm limits while maintaining precise timing and accurate rev limiting. The circuits

and controller of the MSD have been thoroughly filtered to create protection against Electro Magnetic

Interference (EMI).

CAPACITIVE DISCHARGE

The Digital 6A and 6AL feature a capacitive discharge ignition design. The majority of stock ignition

systems are inductive ignitions. In an inductive ignition, the coil must store and step up the voltage

to maximum strength in between each firing. At higher rpm, since there is less time to charge the coil

to full capacity, the voltage falls short of reaching maximum energy which results in a loss of power

or top end miss.
The MSD Ignition features a capacitor which is quickly charged with 520 - 535 volts and stores it until

the ignition is triggered. With the CD design, the voltage sent to the coil positive terminal is always

at full power even at high rpm.

MULTIPLE SPARKS

The MSD produces full power multiple sparks for each firing of a plug. The number of multiple sparks

that occur decreases as rpm increases, however the spark series always lasts for 20° of crankshaft

rotation. Above 3,000 rpm there is simply not enough “time” to fire the spark plug more than once,

so there is only one powerful spark.

PROTECTION

The Digital 6A and 6AL have a built in reverse polarity protection circuit. This will protect the ignition

in the event of wrong connections.

ONLINE PRODUCT REGISTRATION: Register your MSD product online and you’ll be entered

in our monthly 8.5mm Super Conductor Spark Plug Wire give-away! Registering your product

will help if there is ever a warranty issue with your product and helps the MSD R&D team create

new products that you ask for! Go to www.msdperformance.com/registration.

MSD Digital 6A and 6AL Ignition Control

6A - PN 6201, 6AL - PN 6425

1 - Main Harness

1 - Parts Bag

WARNING:

During installation, disconnect the battery cables. When disconnecting the battery always

remove the Negative cable first and install it last.

6AL ONLY

4 - Vibration Mounts

1 - Screwdriver

Note:

The Carb label supplied is required to aid in passing the California Smog Check program. This label

must be installed in an underhood location that is readily visible.

Note:

If you're triggering an aftermarket EFI system with the Gray wire of the MSD, see page 4 to

deactivate the tach verification feature.

Important:

When installing a Digital Series Ignition, timing will be affected, reset to your engine's

specifications.

M S D  

•   W W W . M S D P E R F O R M A N C E . C O M   •   ( 9 1 5 )   8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0   •   F A X   ( 9 1 5 )   8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4

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Summary

Page 2 - Solid Core spark plug wires cannot be used with an MSD Ignition.; GENERAL INFORMATION; Solid Core spark plug wires

2 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS M S D   •   W W W . M S D P E R F O R M A N C E . C O M   •   ( 9 1 5 )   8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0   •   F A X   ( 9 1 5 )   8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4 Note: Solid Core spark plug wires cannot be used with an MSD Ignition. Note: Do not use digital or dial back timing lights. REV LIMITER The ...

Page 3 - both; MOUNTING; Compression Spark Plug Gap

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 3 M S D   •   W W W . M S D P E R F O R M A N C E . C O M   •   ( 9 1 5 )   8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0   •   F A X   ( 9 1 5 )   8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4 Routing: Correct routing of the plug wires is also important to performance. Wires should be routed away from sharp edges and engine heat so...

Page 4 - WIRING; GENERAL WIRING INFORMATION; Power Leads

4 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS M S D   •   W W W . M S D P E R F O R M A N C E . C O M   •   ( 9 1 5 )   8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0   •   F A X   ( 9 1 5 )   8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4 WIRING GENERAL WIRING INFORMATION Wire Length: All of the wires of the MSD Ignition may be shortened as long as quality connectors are used ...

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