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MSD 2-step malfunction?

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Old May 11, 2010 | 07:38 PM
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Default MSD 2-step malfunction?

I installed the 2 step as the instructions say using the 12volt source wire on the clutch pedal. The 2step function itself works perfectly but while driving around down when its not in use the car feels terrible. It shakes and feels like it has no power..almost like bad plugs or even when you forget to install some plug wires. As soon as I unhook it the car runs perfect...any ideas? Also, when its on the 2step the AFR goes to 22 and stays there....is that correct as well?
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Old May 12, 2010 | 09:34 AM
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Default 2 Step

What is the rmp set at on your 2 step. I wonder if it is activating in normal driving when you press your clutch. If it was set low enough it could be possible. Also some people hook it up to a on off switch so it cant turn on during normal driving.
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Old May 12, 2010 | 02:30 PM
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No it can only be activated when the clutch is all the way in. Its set at 3k and when off it goes past that but as the rpms climb the engine shakes violently..almost like im missing a few plugs or its misfiring really bad. I even unhooked the activation wire just to make sure and it does the same thing.
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Old May 12, 2010 | 03:04 PM
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You have something hooked up wrong and it is activated while you are driving the car.
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Old May 12, 2010 | 05:35 PM
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Originally Posted by quicksilverado
You have something hooked up wrong and it is activated while you are driving the car.

No. Its not running like its activated..its running like its misfiring bad(not the 2step misfire) and theres no wrong way to hook it up...theres 2 plugs on each end that plug in between the coil pack plug and the unit and then 2 more wires..one to activate it with a ground..or one to activate it with power.


When the unit isnt activated the engine just runs VERY rough...it will go all the way up to redline but it feels like ****..and the engine runs like the ignition is bad. Im sending the unit back to MSD to see what they say.
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Old May 12, 2010 | 07:14 PM
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Default 2 step

Originally Posted by Snyper
No. Its not running like its activated..its running like its misfiring bad(not the 2step misfire) and theres no wrong way to hook it up...theres 2 plugs on each end that plug in between the coil pack plug and the unit and then 2 more wires..one to activate it with a ground..or one to activate it with power.


When the unit isnt activated the engine just runs VERY rough...it will go all the way up to redline but it feels like ****..and the engine runs like the ignition is bad. Im sending the unit back to MSD to see what they say.
Ya i have the same one its plug and play other than one activation wire. It would be tuff to hook it up wrong lol.
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Old May 12, 2010 | 08:28 PM
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possible that the coil packs are plugged into the wrong plugs? Like passenger out from the msd into drivers coil pack?
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Old May 12, 2010 | 08:31 PM
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theres probably a manufacture defect in one of the coil connectors
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Old May 13, 2010 | 03:12 AM
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Originally Posted by ls1_chevelle
possible that the coil packs are plugged into the wrong plugs? Like passenger out from the msd into drivers coil pack?

Theres no wrong way to plug it in...and I tried swapping both and it made no difference.
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Old May 13, 2010 | 09:19 AM
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You said it don't matter if its unhooked. Or is there are problem on the harness to the coil?
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Old May 13, 2010 | 12:37 PM
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Originally Posted by MY99TAWS6
You said it don't matter if its unhooked. Or is there are problem on the harness to the coil?
The two step function itself works properly...however when de-activated the car just rubs absolutely horrible..it seems like its misfiring so bad the whole car shakes as I bring the RPMs up..it does something completely different than the 2step function...as soon as I unplug it completely and remove it from the car the car runs perfect.
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Old May 13, 2010 | 02:10 PM
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I'm sure it's just a DOA unit.
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Old May 13, 2010 | 03:14 PM
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Maybe try reversing the harness but thought one is short and one long or are they marked..I forget already buddy threw it on for me and didn't pay much attention to it.
If problem is in the harness to coils that might make sense.
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Old May 13, 2010 | 04:04 PM
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Originally Posted by MY99TAWS6
Maybe try reversing the harness but thought one is short and one long or are they marked..I forget already buddy threw it on for me and didn't pay much attention to it.
If problem is in the harness to coils that might make sense.
Yeah I tried both ways. Car ran the same on both ends. I should have it back in a few weeks...hopefully it will be fixed. I was supposed to use it for the track saturday but oh well..


On a side note..how are you guys controlling the 2 step? I tried it on my clutch switch but it disengages before the clutch engages making the clutch switch pointless.
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Old May 13, 2010 | 05:00 PM
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i have mine wired as a switched ground to the starter kill clutch switch
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Old May 13, 2010 | 05:50 PM
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Mine is auto now so its on the brake pedal. I am going to run a master on off for it and the linelock just because. But for now its always on but don't think I notice any problems from it. I had it set for 3000 but haven't really played with it yet. Think it will work better at lower rpm but again am an auto.Autos can build boost pretty easily with two steps. Manuals like two step and antilag. the msd dont' have antilag options. The
lingenfelter does. I originally bought lingenfelter when was standard and then got great deal on msd from someone that sold their car. So used it and will be selling the lingenfelter 002 NIB.
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Old May 13, 2010 | 10:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Tally TransAm
i have mine wired as a switched ground to the starter kill clutch switch
Mine too however the clutch grabs high(twin disc) and the 2step dis engages and the car revs free before I can even launch it.
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Old May 16, 2010 | 01:28 AM
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Default MSD 2-step

Have you tried rerouting the wires from the coil harness to the MSD? Maybe move the wires and the device itself to a different location. Try to keep them away from the coils and any solenoids you might have (nitrous etc.). Also try not to have any of the low voltage wires run parallel to the high voltage wires (like the spark plug wires). If they do have to cross each other, have them cross at 90 degree angles.

What spark plug wires do you have? If you have aftermarket wires, try testing with a set of stock plug wires (or some other brand of aftermarket wire if you don't have access to the stock plug wires) to see if it might be electrical noise from the plug wires.

Hopefully you aren't running a non-resistor spark plug. If you are, switch back to a resistor type plug (you should ONLY use resistor plugs in EFI vehicles) and see if that makes a difference.

Does the MSD have an indicator light that shows when it is active or anything like that? If so, what does the diagnostic light do when you get to the RPM where you start to have the problem.

Those are some of the things I would ask a customer to check before having them return the unit.


Originally Posted by Snyper
I installed the 2 step as the instructions say using the 12volt source wire on the clutch pedal. The 2step function itself works perfectly but while driving around down when its not in use the car feels terrible. It shakes and feels like it has no power..almost like bad plugs or even when you forget to install some plug wires. As soon as I unhook it the car runs perfect...any ideas? Also, when its on the 2step the AFR goes to 22 and stays there....is that correct as well?
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Old May 16, 2010 | 02:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Jason Haines @ LPE
Have you tried rerouting the wires from the coil harness to the MSD? Maybe move the wires and the device itself to a different location. Try to keep them away from the coils and any solenoids you might have (nitrous etc.). Also try not to have any of the low voltage wires run parallel to the high voltage wires (like the spark plug wires). If they do have to cross each other, have them cross at 90 degree angles.

What spark plug wires do you have? If you have aftermarket wires, try testing with a set of stock plug wires (or some other brand of aftermarket wire if you don't have access to the stock plug wires) to see if it might be electrical noise from the plug wires.

Hopefully you aren't running a non-resistor spark plug. If you are, switch back to a resistor type plug (you should ONLY use resistor plugs in EFI vehicles) and see if that makes a difference.

Does the MSD have an indicator light that shows when it is active or anything like that? If so, what does the diagnostic light do when you get to the RPM where you start to have the problem.

Those are some of the things I would ask a customer to check before having them return the unit.
The box is away from all electronics

Im running NGK TR6s and OEM wires

No indicator light but it runs rough 100% of the time with it plugged in..the car starts to shake and gets progressively worse as the rpms climb.
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Old Sep 1, 2010 | 06:36 PM
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Default MSD 2 step

Did you ever find out the problem? Im having the same issue. I drove it to the dyno to get tuned and it ran rough like a cylinder was dead or misfiring and it shook the **** out me. I thought maybe it was the tune, my tuner called me and said there was a issue. My car makes boost but it feels like its skipping and way under power. My car is two hours away so i didnt get a chance to unplug it yet. Hopefully my tuner does it and thats the problem.
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