Custom/Hybrid MSD TL Diagnosis

speedysprocket

speedysprocket

Alex
Location
Chesapeake, VA
I think my 42351 total loss brain is no good any more, but I'm just wondering if any one can confirm from prior experience before I buy a new or used one (anyone have one for sale).
Tried to ride and ski kept dying. Discovered after that some heat shrink on the common wire the coils share, which is positive, came off and the wire grounded out.
I got the ski running again, and water tested today. Ski will idle fine up to 1/4 throttle. If I go much above that, it'll feel normal for about a second, then it's like a 1500 rpm rev limiter kicks on for 3-5 seconds. Like as soon as the timing retard starts, it screws up. Anyone else ever had such a thing happen...?
Thanks
 
Tyrant1919

Tyrant1919

Site Supporter
Location
Washington, DC
Switch channels. You should have an orange, yellow, and brown pair of wires for each 'channel' of the ignition. Move one of your pickups to the third available channel. Make sure to switch the spark plug coil too. I've heard and seen a channel going bad and people switching to the spare channel and then running like a champ after.
 
speedysprocket

speedysprocket

Alex
Location
Chesapeake, VA
It doesn't feel like it's only running on one cylinder though. No matter how much throttle I give it, it will not go any bit faster.
Also, for three years, every time I connected power to the module, there'd be a small arc as the terminals met. That no longer happens...
 
TheBuzzard

TheBuzzard

Location
the jetski grave yard
you can send it in to MSD for a diagnostic check. disconnect the green trigger wires and jump across them instead of using the trigger. it should spark like crazy every time the wires are jumped. if it doesnt spark on either or both, bad channel/channels/brain but make sure your grounds are grounding. i'm pretty sure you can also call MSD and they will walk you thru some tests.
 
Pablo

Pablo

sqeez bth levrs & lean bk
Site Supporter
Location
georgia
I had an issue a couple years ago and called MSD support. They were great and really got back to me quick. One even stayed on the phone with me and walked me through some trouble shooting tips. I used to rag MSD for being sucky, but they're support was great and knowledgeable. Before u trash it or buy new id call or email them.
 
BrightE's

BrightE's

Paul
Location
Seattle, WA
Are the coils isolated from one another? Ran into a similar issue this pas year and the only fix was isolating the coils from each other and the brain (had to put rubber between the aluminum mount plate and the coils, including putting heat shrink on the mounting bolts).

Sent from my VS980 4G
 
speedysprocket

speedysprocket

Alex
Location
Chesapeake, VA
Coils were replaced last year but I have been using the module for about three years now and I bought it used.
Coils are bolted to the same aluminum plate like most everyone else's and worked that way for three years. They're both grounded, so what's it matter if they're touching or not?
 
Philip Clemmons

Philip Clemmons

Owner, P&P Performance
Location
Richmond, Va
Brains usually work or they don't. Not saying it's impossible but I'd look elsewhere. Maybe check all connections on the whole system, knowing where you ride . Cool wiring and grounds is s given. As Daryl said, you have a spare channel too. I'd switch each channel to the spare as a last resort to rule out a bad channel.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
BrightE's

BrightE's

Paul
Location
Seattle, WA
speedysprocket said:
Coils were replaced last year but I have been using the module for about three years now and I bought it used.
Coils are bolted to the same aluminum plate like most everyone else's and worked that way for three years. They're both grounded, so what's it matter if they're touching or not?
Click to expand...

Not sure, but I can tell you with 100% certainty that was the problem with mine. I even bought new coils from JM and the problem still persisted. It wasn't until I let one hang loose in a quick test ride that all of a sudden both cylinders were firing. Bolted them down isolated from the plate and the thing roared and hasnt stopped.
 
speedysprocket

speedysprocket

Alex
Location
Chesapeake, VA
Well found my issue... Swapped coils and plugs, ran fine. Hooked the original coils back up and put the old plugs in, fine. Then I started having issues starting. After much trouble shooting, found my positive wire from the solenoid to the electrical box had like one corroded strand still intact, so I could see voltage everywhere, but couldn't get any current. New wire and my TL appears healthy again! And the new module should get here tomorrow... Now to sell it, return it, or put it on the shelf here...
Thanks for the trouble shooting tips!..
 
Jetfiend

Jetfiend

Location
PNW
speedysprocket said:
Only reason it turned out to be something so simple and cheap is because I already bought the new one! I had I sleep at work last night, so couldn't come home and work on it. I've been losing sleep over that thing.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear your figured your gremlins out. Have fun riding!
 
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