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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. 

IMPORTANTDo 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. 

M S D   I G N I T I O N

  •   w w w . m s d i g n i t i o n . c o m  •   ( 9 1 5 )   8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0   •   FA X   ( 9 1 5 )   8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4

Summary of Contents for 8963

Page 1: ...p 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 ...

Page 2: ...REEN 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 ...

Page 3: ...UND 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...

Page 4: ...chase 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 obta...

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