MSD programmable ignition installed and all's now well...

[Seawulf]

Car won't run.
It starts up and idles for 5 seconds or so and then dies. I checked the connections and rearranged some of them cause I was't sure which was coil 1 & 2 exactly. But when I swapped coil wires the car wouldn't start at all.

Hooked up the OBD II scanner and it told me my fault codes were coil A&B malfunction. Took everything off and put the coil plug back on and it started and ran fine.

When I called up MSD for part numbers for accessories for my dad to get me, I asked about a tach adapter and if I'd need one. They said they didn't know if my engine needed one since nobody called them up about a Zetec Cougar before.

I wanted to get the tach adapter anyway since my dad is paying for the accessories, but the place he ordered from didn't have it. I didn't want to wait to install it so I figured put it on and if it works I won't need to order the tach adapter. It looks like I'll need it after all.

Oh well, once it's on and working I'll be able to install my 42lb/hr injectors again and not worry about detonation. I even got the map sensor so I can program a little more retard per lb of boost.

I'll post again about this when it's finally running.

Later

[ChrisHightower]

You won't need a tach adapter, since the tach is run by the computer.

What models of MSD components did you get?

[sndxrnd21mb]

youll need 2 tach adapters. i have that on my car. you need one for the tach and one fuel. dont ask me why but it just doesnt work without it. i had the same problem

[Seawulf]

When I called the MSD tech people the guy said he didn't know if I needed an adapter because nobody had called about a zetec Cougar before. When I asked about Focus and Contours he said half the calls they got the only way to get the car running was with the tach adapter. Said it depended how sensitive the ECU was.

Got the tach adapter a few days ago and the car runs fine now. I haven't heard anything about needing a fuel adapter. I guess with the tach adapter that works for my fuel too. I'm an hour away from installing my new injectors and MAF.:biggrin:

Part numbers are:
6212 MSD DIS-2 Ignition $420 from Summitracing.com
8912 Tach adapter $45 from ModernPerformance.com, look under Focus parts
23121 Map sensor, 2 Bar $70? My dad ordered it through his NAPA guy

He also ordered me a knock sensor with LED monitor from MSD to do a little fine tuning of the timing but I don't know how much it cost(over $100 I know) or when it will arrive since we had to reorder since the one that came looked used.:confused:

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2000 Rio Red I4 Cougar
144 hp and 156 lb/ft of torque at the wheels
IHI RHB5 Turbo at 6 psi , Sawed-Off Short Throw Shifter, Freedom Design Strut Tower Bar, 17" ZN Wheels and Tires, Roush Springs, HKS Super-Sequential BOV, MSD DIS-2 Programmable Ignition