Topic: Kudo's to MSD
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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Ok, this one is my bad but has a great ending with the folks at MSD!
I had the carb issue and first thought it was a fuel flow (starvation issue). Went to pull the power wire from my MSD Streetfire Distributor and gently bumped the three wire behind it. All three wires dropped out of the plug (the black capture piece that holds all 3 wires). After finding the issues with the carb filter when removing the fuel line for the flow test, I went back to the cap to wire these back in and pulled my GM shop manual and followed the wiring layout. Apparently, the one in the book doesn't match how the MSD is wired (this is where it is my bad) and I should have pulled it up online before I wired it back.
I put the power wire back on and got the most massive amount of white smoke I have ever seen from 3 wires. Even after I cut it off, it still was smoking so I pulled my battery quick disconnect and it finally stopped.
Anyway, I called MSD and told them that I had smoked the wiring and assuredly the module as well and that it was my fault. The woman I got first was a bit crochity as I didn't have a part number because I had looked up the wrong one (again, my fault) but she did forward me on to the tech guys. I mentioned my reception by the first person and he said I wasn't the first to say that and that he would note it.
He then went on to tell me he had what I needed on his desk and would send it to me. I figured he would send me the wire pigtail and I would then need to get the module.
Imagine my surprise when he provided 3 pigtails AND 3 MODULES!!!!! What a great bunch of folks (except for the first one and it wasn't her fault that I didn't have the correct part number)!
Gotta say, I'd go back to them for my next distro needs as well!
I had the carb issue and first thought it was a fuel flow (starvation issue). Went to pull the power wire from my MSD Streetfire Distributor and gently bumped the three wire behind it. All three wires dropped out of the plug (the black capture piece that holds all 3 wires). After finding the issues with the carb filter when removing the fuel line for the flow test, I went back to the cap to wire these back in and pulled my GM shop manual and followed the wiring layout. Apparently, the one in the book doesn't match how the MSD is wired (this is where it is my bad) and I should have pulled it up online before I wired it back.
I put the power wire back on and got the most massive amount of white smoke I have ever seen from 3 wires. Even after I cut it off, it still was smoking so I pulled my battery quick disconnect and it finally stopped.
Anyway, I called MSD and told them that I had smoked the wiring and assuredly the module as well and that it was my fault. The woman I got first was a bit crochity as I didn't have a part number because I had looked up the wrong one (again, my fault) but she did forward me on to the tech guys. I mentioned my reception by the first person and he said I wasn't the first to say that and that he would note it.
He then went on to tell me he had what I needed on his desk and would send it to me. I figured he would send me the wire pigtail and I would then need to get the module.
Imagine my surprise when he provided 3 pigtails AND 3 MODULES!!!!! What a great bunch of folks (except for the first one and it wasn't her fault that I didn't have the correct part number)!
Gotta say, I'd go back to them for my next distro needs as well!

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I've heard a lot of good things about MSD's customer service, and tech help. I think customer boo-boos are probably the biggest warranty thing they deal with. Then again, the instructions for some of their stuff would take a rocket scientist to read!!
Try wiring one up for a two-step, rev limiter, AND an air shifter, as well as the tach....yeeeesh!
Glad they took care of ya like that, Okie-feller-dude!
Try wiring one up for a two-step, rev limiter, AND an air shifter, as well as the tach....yeeeesh!

Glad they took care of ya like that, Okie-feller-dude!

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Frederick, MD - USA
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I have to say my experience with MSD's customer service was less than helpful. My 2002 Avanti has an LS1 engine. I replaced the stock coil packs with MSD Blaster coil packs. In less than 3000 miles I had to replace four of the eight. I bought the set through Summit Racing who replaced each as it occurred, MSD was no help...they just said "we're not aware of any problem". Eventually I just reinstalled the stock coil packs and no further problems...plus the car runs stronger.
I've seen mixed results in MSD's customer assistance. Last one was unfavorable. A friend of mine purchased a MSD controller for his NOS setup on his '06 GTO. No one there could tell him which wire was the signal wire off of the TB. Hello!!!! they designed the system for the car but couldn't tell him. Come to find out it wasn't the proper system for his car. It could have exploded the engine had he activated it during dyno tuning.
@ Gunslinger: I've heard about MSD coil pack problems with the local hotrodders. Trust me the stock coil packs are plenty for most LSX engines out there. Our '04 GTO which I have been tinkering with has 515hp/477 ft.lbs. at the wheels. The tune is super conservative. It is cammed and blown and runs fine with stock coil packs all the way to 7000 rpms. Yes! 7k.
It is the aftermarket world. Sometimes results are good and then there are those dreaded times it isn't.
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If I had stopped with the original chick that answered the phone, this thread would have gone a whole different direction. The guy in tech support is what swayed it for me.

HOWELL, NJ - USA
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Never had to deal with their customer service but in general, I've used their distributors, boxes and wires without fail on many applications. Big fan of their products 

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