Smoke coming from defrost vent?

[tommyg29]

I have the msd 6al also, but the ballast resistor is still connected.
As dodj suggests above it can be disconnected, but electrical is a weak spot of mine too, and I dont know where or how I would reconnect the two ballast wires to the "enable" wire from the msd.
I may have to have my mechanic look at that one.
I hate having to do that. To me its humiliating to give up on something that probably isnt that difficult. It's probably how a boxer feels when he has to get up off the floor and walk out of the ring.

[tommyg29]

see, this is what I mean about me and electricity.
It doesnt make sense to me that the brown wire would be overloaded by stuff that isnt even on or working while I'm turning the key. Maybe my radio is the only thing I leave on. Thats it.
How did you repair the connection?

[500Stroker]

A great source for a laminated color coded schematic is www.classiccarwiring.com.  That's what I use in addition to the service manual.

[brads70]

http://www.msdpower.com/support/instruction/6series.php?cat=download

PAGE 19 OF 24 shows Chrysler electronic distributor wiring

[tommyg29]

thanks. I've got a good large laminated diagram, but now I'll study the msd schematic too.

[tommyg29]

I see the brown wire goes straight to the ballast resistor. I think I will keep it seperate from the connector as in my 3rd picture, and maybe insert a fuse into it. I think it's a 14 gauge wire, and I'm thinking a 10 amp fuse. I dont think a #14 can handle much more than that, and hopefully this wire never carries more than that, but I have no idea.
Will this help?

[brads70]

If you have a MSD I don't think you use the ballast resistor?

[tommyg29]

it must run through it cause it gets very hot, and will not start without it connected.

[tommyg29]

I quit!
I hate electrical issues.
After parts of two afternoons, I'm no closer to getting the car to start.
Turns over fine, but no spark.
Replaced the burned ballast resistor, and rewired the ignition wire under the steering column. Still nothing.
Looks like I'll be having it towed tomorrow.
Humiliating

[Sean]

I was helping a buddy of mine with installing a MSD box in his '74 Duster.  It was a while ago but I remember that he had one wire (blue I think???) running to his ballast resistor.  Before you have it towed, try calling MSD's tech help line.  We did with his project and they were very helpfull! 

Sean

[brads70]

maybe the MSD is fried? I had that happen once, after I bought a new one it fired right up. I "unwired it" back to stock and it fired up so thats how I knew it was the box.
I read the MSD instructions again and I just don't see were you still use the ballast resistor or the stock modual?

[tommyg29]

I would keep trying, but the car has been sitting on the side of the road for two days now, and I'm afraid it will just be gone the next time I go. It attracts people, and tow truck drivers like a magnet.
Ive got a locator, and Im paranoid so I check online every few hours to verify and see if it is stiill there

[500Stroker]

Didn't know it was on the side of a road.  Get that car towed FAST before someone else does.

[brads70]

 

[dodj]

Tommy, I made a mistake, sorry.  The brown is the ignition start wire. Blue is the run. Red is the 12vdc supply. Replace the red and brown connections. They are in bad shape. You will have to bypass the connector for now, use butt splices or marrettes (house wiring wing nuts). Once you remake the red and brown connections, your car will hopefully fire up. When you are redoing them, take note of the color of the copper wire. Where it has heated up too much, it will be kind of dull or flat, not shiny. Cut the wire back until you have wire that is shiny, then make the new connections.