A Fine Kettle of Electrical Fish

[Thunderlane]

Guess who's back!

Okay, so none of y'all probably remember me, because I've been gone for ages thanks to work and other preoccupations! But, I make my not-so-triumphant return because I am in need of assistance!

I am close to finishing an install of a Painless #50002 Harness into my 260Z. Now, everything is functioning (lights, starter, fuel pump, etc) except for the ignition. I am trying to install an MSD 6AL Ignition along with a 280ZX distributor. I've attempted to wire this setup according to the MSD manual and several wiring diagrams from various forums, but none of them have let me start the car, despite it cranking strong! The only wire provided by the Painless harness is a switched 12V power source.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks y'all!

Thunderlane

[NismoPick]

Perhaps you could tell us or post pictures of how you currently have it wired?
Using the 280zx ignitor as a signal feed to the 6AL should fire right up (that's how I have my 280zxt wired).

[evildky]

The MSD directions are correct, the green and purple should go to the zx distributor. What I'm wondering is if you have cranking voltage to your msd box? you might try wiring it to the battery and trying again.

[Thunderlane]

Okay, y'all,

It turns out that my E12-80 that was attached to the new (re-manufactured) distributor was cactus. I ripped it off and wired the distributor directly to the MSD, and the car now runs stronger than ever before.

So, the electrical issue has been solved, I just need to adjust the timing.

Well, unless I'm actually just an ee-jit and I'm missing something completely.

For details sake:

I axed the E12-80 from the distributor and wired the magnetic pick-up wires from the MSD directly to the distributor.

MSD Violet -> Distributor Red
MSD Green -> Distributor Green

Car is eager to start and runs steadily, but the timing is obviously off. Am I missing something?

Thunderlane