I have had two different MSD DIS 4's The first I bought used (old style with levers on the side) and it failed. I sent it to MSD and they said they could not repair it (something to do with the 2 step being in potted and not repairable. It failed when it was raining out.

The second one I installed a month ago and is brand new (new style with dials). It just failed and is under warrenty. It also failed in the rain but that is not where the simularities end.

Both worked great for a month or so but failed while it was raining (Don't really know if it was because of rain or not.)

Both caused a code for cyclinder 5 misfiring.

Both caused the front (for cyclinder 3 and 6) coil to burn out one of 12 volt input prong and melt the plastic around it.

Both caused the ignition module to fail.

Both times the MSD failed and I bypassed it the car drove fine for a few weeks then the above misfire happened and components failed (I know that must not be a coincidence.)

I have varified the wiring and it is correct. I installed them with the MSD coil interface module so it was easy anyways.

The car drove fine in between the installation of the two MSD's for over a year and now drives fine afterwards.

I don't get it why is it the exact same failure for both MSD's. When I installed the new one I had put in all new accel coils and a new ignition module. Why did the same thing happen to both boxes. And the weird thing why did the #5 misfire occur but the 3/6 coil burn out and the ignition module fail.

I have read many others have tried these MSD DIS 4 only to have them fail. Getting the exact same symptoms, And the failures of others it leads me to believe that this box just might not be compatable with the ingnition system on a 3.8 Camaro (1996) The guys I called up at MSD said they have them in their personal cars for years with no problem (sales gimmick or just not compatable with a v-6 camaro?)

Anyone know why it cause the #5 misfire, the ignition module failure or the 3/6 coil to be burnt?

 

Nobody knows why or have had similar MSD DIS experiences?

 

I've also heard from other DIS4 owners the same problems with the older ones not being repairable but this is the first I'd heard of a connection with water possibly being a point of failure. Guess it depends on where/how you have it mounted? I believe the front of the driver shock tower is a popular spot for it and I know on my car there is always water spots there slung from the serpentine belt.

 

Yeah mine did have mud spots on it, It is mounted in the front drivers side corner where the air box used to be (I put in a cold air kit) just above the cruise control module. Does anyone have any idea why it burnt the coil and ignition module both times? Thas got to be more than a coinencedince

 

I know nothing about the DIS units but does it have a fused power link? Because if it got wet and shorted out the ICM and coils it sounds like there's no fuse inline on the power lead.

 

Your right there is no inline power fuse, it has a power lead directly to the battery, could be the reason. Thanks