MSD Ignition 8963 User manual

MSD Digital Shift Light
PN 8963
WARNING: When installing the Shift Light disconnect the battery cables. When disconnecting,
always remove the negative cable first and install it last.
Parts Included:
1 - Shift Light
1 - Mounting Bracket
1 - GMR Pickup, PN 8918
2 - Washers
1 - Brass Screw
1 - Parts Bag
UP
MODE
DOWN
PROGRAMMING
BUTTONS
RED TO SWITCHED 12 VOLTS
GREEN TO TACH SIGNAL
BLACK TO GROUND
PROGRAMMING
CY - Cylinder Count
12, 10, 8, 6, 6 odd, 4, 2, 2 odd, 1
LuL - Light Intensity
Scale of 9-0 Bright to Dim
Use Up/Down
buttons to adjust
cylinders, intensity
and rpm points.
Figure 1 Digital Shift Light Wiring and Programming.
PROGRAMMING
By pressing the two buttons simultaneous-
ly, you get the Shift Light into the different
programming modes.
RPM Points: To adjust rpm points, press
the two buttons until the rpm shows. No-
tice that all but one of the numbers flash.
The position of the steady digit matches
the gear change (the first, second, third or
fourth digit equals each gear). Adjust the
rpm then push the two buttons again to
move to the next gear.
Cylinder Count: The display will read CY
and allow you to select between one to 12-
cylinder engines using the Up/Down buttons.
Intensity: Control the intensity of the LED and read out. Hold the buttons until LuL displays. Use the
buttons to select from 9 (brightest) to 0 to turn off the shift light.
Self: Self mode will walk through all of the settings programmed into the light. It will first show the
rpm shift points for the four shifts, the cylinder count and light intensity. Start the test mode by push-
ing either button once Self is displayed. To reset the Self mode, push either button when SELF is
displayed, or turn the power Off.
Each time the DSL is powered on, the LED will display the program values that are set.
INSTALLATION
The Shift Light installs easily with the GMR Pickup or through the tach output terminal of an MSD Ig-
nition Control or aftermarket ECU. It will accept a trigger signal rated from 0-24 volt amplitude. Never
connect the Green Wire directly to the coil negative terminal.
If an ignition control or aftermarket ECU are not being used, the GMR pickup must be connected.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT connect to the coil (-) terminal. The supplied GMR pickup must be used
when installing the Digital Shift Light unless the rpm signal is coming from the tach
output of an MSD Ignition or aftermarket ECU. Damage to the DSL will occur if con-
nected to a high voltage trigger source.
MSD IGNITION • www.msdignition.com • [phone] • FAX [phone]

2 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
MSD IGNITION • www.msdignition.com • [phone] • FAX [phone]
GMR PICKUP INSTALLATION
The MSD GMR pickup can be used with inductive or capacitive ignition types to provide an rpm signal of
30% duration when the ignition coil fires. Two washers are provided with the pickup and must be installed
in one of two positions depending on the type of ignition driving the coil.
Note: For late model applications, it is recommended to have a wiring schematic of the vehicle’s ignition
system.
BLACK GROUND
GMR PICKUP
RED
GREEN
SWITCHED
12 VOLT
SIGNAL
OUTPUT
GMR PICKUP
NOTE: The brass screw must be used for proper operation.
PRIMARY COIL (+) WIRE OR
DIESEL INJECTOR 12 VOLT WIRE
WASHER MUST BE ON TOP OF METAL TAB
METAL TAB
COIL
HARNESS
IGNITION
COIL
IGNITION
COIL
IGNITION
COIL
IGNITION
COIL
COIL (+)
12 VOLTS
COIL (-)
TRIGGER 4
COIL (-)
TRIGGER 3
COIL (-)
TRIGGER 2
COIL (-)
TRIGGER 1
GMR PICKUP
GREEN
SHIFT LIGHT
BLACK GROUND
UP
MODE
DOWN
Note: The shift light must be programmed for
1-cylinder operation.
Figure 3 Installation on an Inductive Coil-Per-Cylinder Ignition System.
Figure 2 Installing with an MSD Ignition.
MAGNETIC
CONNECTOR
NOT USED
TO BATTERY
WHITE
BLACK
ORANGE
WHITE
BLACK
ORANGE
RED
TO BATTERY
BLACK
TRIGGER INPUT
RED
RED
SWITCHED
12 VOLT
GREEN
BLACK GROUND
UP
MODE
DOWN
COIL

I NSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 3
MSD IGNITION • www.msdignition.com • [phone] • FAX [phone]
Figure 4 Installing to an Inductive Coil Pack.
BLACK GROUND
RED
GREEN
SWITCHED
12 VOLT
SIGNAL
OUTPUT
GREEN
GMR PICKUP
NOTE: The brass screw must be used for proper operation.
PRIMARY COIL (+) WIRE OR
DIESEL INJECTOR 12 VOLT WIRE
WASHER MUST BE ON TOP OF METAL TAB
METAL TAB
GMR PICKUP
GMR PICKUP
COIL (-) 2 COIL (-) 1 COIL (+)
IGNITION 12 VOLTS
TRIGGER COIL 1
TRIGGER COIL 2
COIL HARNESS
POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE
BLACK GROUND
UP
MODE
DOWN
RED
Note: The shift light
must be pro-
grammed for
two (2) cylinder
operation.
TO GROUND
ON CYLINDER
HEAD
BLACK
RED
IGNITION
TM
CHASSIS
GROUND
GMR PICKUP
NOTE: The brass screw must be used for proper operation.
PRIMARY COIL (+) WIRE OR
DIESEL INJECTOR 12 VOLT WIRE
WASHER MUST BE ON TOP OF METAL TAB
METAL TAB
BLACK
GROUND
GMR PICKUP
RED
GREEN
SWITCHED
12 VOLT
GREEN
SHIFT LIGHT
BLACK GROUND
UP
MODE
DOWN
Figure 5 Wiring the Pro Mag 44 Electronic Points Box.
NOTE: A momentary push button switch can be connected with tach input green wire to ground to
reset the PN 8963 to the first gear value at any time - normally the RPM must drop to under
1700 rpm for the PN 8963 to reset to the first gear value.

GMR PICKUP
NOTE: The brass screw must be used for proper operation.
PRIMARY COIL (+) WIRE OR
DIESEL INJECTOR 12 VOLT WIRE
WASHER MUST BE ON TOP OF METAL TAB
METAL TAB
GMR PICKUP
BLACK GROUND
RED
SWITCHED
12 VOLT
SIGNAL
OUTPUT
GMR PICKUP
GREEN
SHIFT LIGHT
BLACK GROUND
UP
MODE
DOWN
RESET
SWITCH
Figure 6 Wiring the 12 Amp Pro Mag.
BLACK GROUND
RED
GREEN
SWITCHED
12 VOLT
SIGNAL
OUTPUT
GMR PICKUP
NOTE: The brass screw must be used for proper operation.
PRIMARY COIL (+) WIRE OR
DIESEL INJECTOR 12 VOLT WIRE
WASHER MUST BE ON TOP OF METAL TAB
METAL TAB
INJECTOR
POWER WIRE
GMR PICKUP
GREEN
SHIFT LIGHT
BLACK GROUND
UP
MODE
DOWN
INJECTOR
12 VOLT WIRE
Figure 7 Installation to a Diesel Injector.
Note: The shift light must
be programmed for
1-cylinder operation.
Service
In case of malfunction, this MSD component will be repaired free of charge according to the terms of the warranty. When returning MSD
components for service, Proof of Purchase must be supplied for warranty verification. After the warranty period has expired, repair service
is charged based on a minimum and maximum charge.
All returns must have a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number issued to them before being returned. To obtain an
RMA number please contact MSD Customer Service at 1 (888) MSD-7859 or visit our website at www.msdignition.com/rma to automatically
obtain a number and shipping information.
When returning the unit for repair, leave all wires at the length in which you have them installed. Be sure to include a detailed account of
any problems experienced, and what components and accessories are installed on the vehicle.
The repaired unit will be returned as soon as possible after receipt. (Ground shipping is covered by warranty). All units are returned regular
UPS unless otherwise noted. For more information, call MSD Ignition at [phone]. MSD technicians are available from 7:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m. Monday - Friday (mountain time).
MSD IGNITION • www.msdignition.com • [phone] • FAX [phone]
© 2007 Autotronic Controls Corporation
FRM28440 Revised 03/07 Printed in U.S.A.