MSD 8996 Installation

Multi-Channel MSD Ignition Tester

PN 8996

These instructions detail how to use the Multi-Channel tester with an MSD 6, 7, 8, 10, Digital 7 Series Ignition
Control or Multi-function Controllers. If you need to test an MSD DIS Ignition, see pages 5 and 6.

WARNING: Do not connect directly to the coil or this unit will be damaged.

PARTS INCLUDED:

1 - Digital Ignition Tester

1 - Spark Tester

PROGRAMMING

PROGRAMS

The MSD Multi-Channel Ignition Tester
has the ability to test several different
combinations of ignition setups. By
pushing the Red button on the face
of the unit different programs can be
selected. Figure 1 shows the different
applications.
When you first connect power to the
Tester, the LED will display the name
and Part Number. You can bypass this
information by pushing the Red button.
The Tester automatically defaults to the program for an 8-cylinder, single trigger ignition system. To select
a different program just press the Red Select button until the program you need is displayed.

Note: If you have an MSD DIS Ignition Control, two test harnesses are offered to make testing each

channel of the ignition easier. The DIS-4 Test Harness is PN 89964, the DIS-2 is PN 89962. These
Harnesses will allow you to test the ignition and coils without having to splice into any wires. Figure
9 shows the harness.

8 Cylinder
8 Cyl-DIS
6 Cylinder
6 Cyl-DIS
6 Cyl-Odd
4 Cylinder
4 Cyl-DIS

Figure 1 Ignition Tester Programs.

PROGRAM SELECTION

WIRING

The Digital Tester has several wires with boots and alligator clips on each one. The wires with White
boots are all trigger wires. Note: All of the wires are only used when testing a DIS-4 Ignition Control.

Red: Connect to 12 volts.
Black: Connect to a good ground source.
White: This is the trigger wire used to test the points/amplifier (white wire trigger) circuit of an

MSD Ignition. When testing DIS Ignitions, this is the Channel 1 trigger.

Green: Channel 2 for a DIS Ignition.
Yellow: Channel 3 for a DIS Ignition.
Violet: Channel 4 for a DIS Ignition.
Green/Violet:

directly into the MSD’s magnetic pickup connector. Violet is mag + and Green is mag -.

Lt. Blue/
Lt. Green:

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This 2-Pin connector is for testing the magnetic input circuit for MSD Ignitions. It plugs

This is a 2-pin connector for testing the cam sync pickup circuit of an MSD Programmable

Ignition or Multi-Function Controller. It plugs directly into the MSD Digital 7 Programmable
Ignition's cam pickup connector. Lt. Blue is cam (+) and Lt. Green is cam (-). The CPC
Ignition is supplied with a harness adapter.

2 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

CAM SYNC
PICKUP OUTPUT
NOT USED

RPM ADjUSTMENT

The MSD Digital Tester has two rpm adjustments; Coarse and Fine:

Coarse Adjustment: When this knob is turned clockwise the rpm will
increase in 100 rpm increments. This allows a large spread of rpm to
be covered in a short period of time.

Fine Adjustment: When this knob is turned clockwise the rpm will
increase in 1 rpm increments for precise adjustments.

Figure 2 Adjusting the Tester’s RPM.

INSTALLATION & USE

1. Be sure the ignition is Off.

2. Remove the coil wire from the distributor cap and install the MSD Test Plug. Connect the Plug to
a ground source. Make sure the ground source is paint and corrosion free.

WARNING: A spark is going to jump across the tester’s gap. Make sure there are no fuel sources
or wiring near the tester.

4. Attach the Tester’s Red wire to a 12 volt source such as the positive battery terminal.

5. Connect the Black wire to ground.

6. Connect the trigger wire(s) to fit your application. This will be the wire(s) with the White alligator clips
or the 2-pin connector for magnetic pickups. See the following wiring diagrams in pages 2 - 4 for your
application. Note: The 2-pin Mag-pickup, Violet/Green connector will never be used with the other
trigger wires.

7. Make sure both the coarse and the fine adjustments on the tester are turned to the full counter

clockwise position (zero).

8. Turn the ignition switch On and press the red button of the Tester until your appropriate engine

combination is selected.

9. Increase the Coarse adjustment until you reach the desired rpm. Note that the test plug will be

firing. The fine adjustment can be used to get the exact rpm you desire.

Figure 3 Testing an MSD Triggered with Points or an Amplifier.

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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 3

CAM SYNC PICKUP

OUTPUT NOT USED

CAM SYNC
PICKUP OUTPUT
NOT USED

Figure 4 Testing an MSD 6 Series Through the Magnetic Pickup.

Figure 5 Testing an MSD 7 Series Through the Magnetic Pickup.

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