Hi guys,
I finally decided to turn to the community in order to get a lead.
I had an MSD coil install on my car about a year ago, never had any problems with it. Since I've had it, I've notice my radar detector's alarm (passport 8500 X) behing triggered systematically on hard acceleration. Didin't make a big deal out of it. Until I had my engine rebuilt this summer, in the process my alternator was rebuil. The battery now delivers about 14V (according to my ScanGuaugeII), but here is the catch: in the past month I went through 3 iPhones!!!. Common denominator? I charged them on board using the lighter power outlet. I would plug the phone on a long trip, charge the phone, next thing you know the phone is dead. Thank god the Apple store changed them, no question asked. Only after I read couple threads about the MSD that I wondered if there was anything wrong with it. The mechanic at Boston Dyno told me way before this hapened that many people had problem with MSD coils. I personally never had any issues until those successive iPhone mishaps, that's the only thing I can see.
Question : has anyone ever experience this phenomenon?
How did you deal with your misfortune? Any idea for a way to fix it?
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry for the long post.
Stay strong, safe and happy motorers.
Frenchy.

 

I dont see a way that can affect your charging. There is a voltage tolerance for the Iphone. I dont think 14vdc would do it.... I would say a shorted wire could cause it but you would know if you had a circumstance like that. Maybe the regulator in the General Control Module isnt doing its job and killing it...

 

Are you using an Apple in-car charger, or an aftermarket charger?

 

You're probably right UKSUV, but I was wondering if it wasn't possible that some of the electricity generated by the coil actually travels back to the electric system of the car. You certainly have a fancier explanation for this phenomenon, and that's why I turned to the community to find out. Is there a way to check this out??, no idea!!
But thanks for your insight it is certainly helpfull.
cheer up,
Frenchy.

 

I'm using an aftermarket charger. Belkin I believe

 

That may be your problem. Try using an Apple charger and see if your problem goes away. I never believed in an aftermarket charger causing problems to a phone until it happened to a friend of mine and it was later explained as to why it occurred. Don't ask me to explain it as I have forgotten the rationale behind it.

 

if back emf from the coil were coming throught the electronics, you're iPhone would be the least of your problems. I agree with the post above that says try the Apple charger.... Really, the voltages aren't much of an issue.... The circuites in the iPhone run on much lower voltages than the car battery, and there are internal electronics that regulate the voltage to what's needed (as well as govern the charging of the batteries).

Matt

 

Near 14V isn't out of line for a car that's running anyways- seeing ~12V should only be when the car is off. Anything designed to be run in a car should be able to deal with it.

 

Check out the other thread about this...there some info to say that the iphone needs a step down transformer to get the 5v that it wants...not 12 or 14

 

The charger should regulate the level down to the correct voltage, as long as it's rated for use with an iPhone. One more good reason to try the OEM charger.

 

5, 14, 28, 115, 1 googleplex...Im just saying that something isnt regulating properly whether its the Belkin charger (most likely) or the Mini's electronics....SUCKA. Some assemblies have a .01 volt tolerance sometimes. Im sure the Iphone isnt one of them but just sayin. Cars nowadays suck since they started to get into the CAN-BUS and HEX-CAN bus applications. Better for tuning but definitely not for troubleshooting if u dont have the right diagnostic equipment or clue...

 

I have an Iphone 3G and the MSD coil. I regularly charge my Iphone in my car using the Belkin car charger, which AT&T sells and recommends for the Iphone 3G.
No problems at all. Granted the charge doesn't seem to last as long, for some reason, when the Iphone is fully charged in the car as when it is fully charged at home but I'm told that's an issue with the Iphone not the Belkin charger.
I'd talk with your AT&T agent first, Belkin next, and then throw that MSD in the river next.

 

Try it with the stock coil. Or did you throw it in the river?

 

I agree the range of voltages in a car can get as low as 9v during cranking for start up to as high as 16-17v before the over voltage relay kicks in a shuts the alternator down.

Most car batteries are 6cell with 2.1v per cell...a brand new battery should show 12.6v Alternators are set to run a certain voltage typically ~13.6-14.2v and this is controlled by the voltage regulator (varies electrical current in the magnetic field with the speed it rotates to keep everything constant).

Your coil pack really should have nothing to do with the charging system as it is only connected via those few small wires...unless you have quite a few bad grounds on your car it should be no problem. But it should have nothing to do with your MSD.

I 5th using an Apple OEM car charger. Even if AT&T recommends the Belkin I would have a feeling something is wrong with your unit. And personally I believe in using OEM charging equipment your case in point.

 

I seriously doubt it is the coil. Hook a multimeter up to you 12v accessories plug, take voltage and current readings at idle then punch it and watch again. It really sound like your car's charging system is spiking.

Your coil should not produce any backwards current, I say should not be cause it is electricity as soon as you say something can't happen it does.

 

It's not the coil pack. The MSD coil has the same number of turns on its windings and produces the same output voltage as stock - the major difference is better-quality connectors than the OEM.

 

We had a problem a few days ago to where a relay was bleeding voltage to the other side of the power/control circuit to where the relay was robbing voltage from an unrelated system. So whenever you disconnected a certain lead....your voltage would return.... Stooopid diode and zener diodes/ Nothing but trouble I tell ya. Not to hijack this thread but I had to vent somewhere...

 

APPLE does not make a car charger for the 3G iphone.
No need to look for one - it doesn't exist!
AND - the iphone is very specific as to which chargers it will accept, not just any ipod car charger or even for older iphones.
I hope you purchased the Applecare for your iphone - they may be willing to help you if you did.