Well I got the MSD 6al all installed, with my 3 step launch control rev limiter, BUT, after using a relay on the cold side of the clutch switch I have found a problem.

The unit does limit the RPM like it is suppose to, BUT the clutch switch does not engage until the pedal is almost all the way in. I have an old clutch that should probably be replaced, but what happens is as the clutch pedal is pressed, the clutch disengages before the switch is triggered, so the car revs up about 500-700 rpm before the MSD unit sees the 12 volts, then the rpm's start to fall. Problem is that by the time the RPM's fall, i'm already in the next gear. When shifting at 7500 rpm, the car really revs up to 8000 rpm before it revlimits.

Can I adjust the clutch switch so that it is triggered with the most minimal ammount of clutch movement? Or will this then stop the clutch from have 100% travel? What have you guys been doing for full throttle shifting while using MSD? I would assume the hondata guys also have this problem if they're using the clutch switch?

What do you guys think?

 

up

 

 

bumps i want to know too..

 

I was thinking about this for my car as well. I have an idea that involves a spring from a pen but I am not sure if it will work yet. I'll let you know if I ever get my car running

 

PSHHH, guy.

 

The problem that I see is the fact that you are stuck using a switch that is normally open and is only a SPST. If you could find a normally closed switch, you'd be mint. You'd have to bypass the clutch interlock relay, but there is nothing wrong in doing that.

 

Well you want a normally open switch, so that when you close it, ie. ground out the signal, the relay will be grounded, and then send 12 volts to the msd launch control.

My problem isn't that the clutch safety switch grounds, my problem is that the switch only engages when the clutch is almost to the floor. By the time this happens, the clutch already disengaged and the RPM's are climbing.

I set the 2 step at 5,000 rpm. I put the clutch in at 7,000rpm clutch disengages, rpm still climbs, at about 7,500 the clutch switch is finally triggered triggered, and the msd unit instantly starts cutting the rpm down towards 5,000 rpm limit; however, by that time, i've already shifted into 2nd gear, and releasing the clutch. So that when 2nd gear engages, the rpm is only down to like 6,800.

I want to fix, adjust, replace the clutch switch so that the very instant the clutch is touched, the switch goes off, and tells the MSD to limit rpm. (Actually it would be ideal for the msd unit to limit rpm right when the clutch is actually disengaged). Anybody know what i'm talking about?

 

He was talking about putting a normally closed switch on the oposite side of the clutch peddel. That way as soon as you push the clutch in 1/2 inch the rev limiter would kick in.

 

That's what I was aiming at.

I was looking in the Helms and they show two switches (EJ5 chassis) OR a switch and an adjusting bolt that the clutch rests against in its engaged position. If you had used a normally closed switch in place of the adjusting bolt/second switch (it to is a normally open switch, SPST), it should work.

I had mentioned bypassing a relay - this was in error. I gave the Helms a quick look and mistook one switch for the other.

If none of this is possible, is mouting a micro switch feasible?

 

OHHH, I get what you mean now. Well mine only has a spot for one switch, and that was the clutch safety switch. Are you talking about cars with cruise control, that also have another switch to turn off the cruise the instant the clutch is pressed?

 

I suppose I could find a normally closed switch, but I have no idea where to look. Also, how would you hook this switch up to the msd unit? cuz when the msd gets a 12 volt signal, it will revlimit. Are there relays that will send voltage when a signal is taken away?

 

Well, I was looking in my 6th gen Helms - the particular switch I'm referring to actually goes to the ECU, but its labeled as only being present on the Hx (EJ5). You may be correct in its application for cruise control - sounds logical enough. However, on every other chassis, it appears that there is a bolt used instead of the switch - I'm just saying source a switch for your own purpose, remove the bolt and stick the switch in there.

And if that's not do-able, try and mount a microswitch.

 

Yeah I will try, but where would I find a switch that would screw into this empy bolt hole? I have a friend with a junked civic lx, I'll try taking his cruise switch out and test it.

Thanks for the help man.

 

If the MSD gets a ground, no launch control.

If the MSD gets a +12v, lauch control is activated.

If you used a SPDT switch, one switch is already normally open, the other is normally closed. You connect the common lead of the switch to the activation input for the MSD lauch control. With the clutch engaged (and the switch being pressed), you need to supply the MSD with a ground - well, one of those two switches is currently connected to the lead connected to the MSD. At this point, you need a meter to see which one it is, and then tie that lead to ground. The other gets tied to +12v.

When you step on the clutch, the switch opens up and connects the +12v to the MSD.

 

Hmmm, I just had an idea. If I use a brake light switch in place of this clutch switch, it will activate as soon as the pedal is touched, just like your brakes do. Maybe I should try this. I looked under my car, and there is only one location for a switch on the clutch pedal.

 

****, after looking at the diagram, it looks like all I have to do is back the clutch switch out of the hole so that the plunger is almost completely out. that way when the clutch pedal is pushed, the arm that was keeping the pluger in, will let the switch out faster.

only problem i'm seeing with this is that in the manual it says:
"turn the clutch switch to the left or right to bring the clutch pedal stroke to the specification and then tighten the locking nut"

So does the clutch switch also affect the clutch pedal stroke? And WTF is that. There's clutch pedal height, free play, stroke at pedal, and clutch pedal disengagement height. I understand the free play part, but not the last 3. BUMMER. Snowseeker, WTF?

 

There wasn't a stopper bolt that keeps the clutch pedal from hitting teh dash (for lack of a better description)? Is this a 6th gen?

 

no this is in a 91 crx. So the switch actually acts as this "stopper bolt", and makes sure that the clutch stays where it is and doesn't come up too high?

 

Take out the little rubber bumped that the clutch hits when it is all the way up and put a switch in there. Radio shack has some switchs. I seen switchs at franks and menards too.

Radio shack has the zippe micro switchs too. Or you could always use a brake light switch out of matts car.

I haven't gotten to that part yet. I just got my 6AL in the car today.

 

i'd rather not use a micro switch, using a brake light switch from matt's car would be better. Or some other kind of switch that would fit into an existing mounting location. I don't want to fab up something for a micro switch though.