Author Topic: hard to start  (Read 5332 times)

Yellow Jacket

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Re: hard to start
« Reply #15 on: February 16, 2019, 04:27:37 PM »
Scooterfan, I think you have a better grasp of CDI's than I do. Is there a easy way to identify whether a CDI is ac or dc? This would be some very good information to have. Compared to the old 12v ignition coils, all the smaller CDI coils look pretty much the same to me. 
Scooter owned in the past, Honda Aero 125, '87 Elite 150 (2), '87 & '90 250 Elite, Yamaha 200, (2), 400 Majesty, Aprilia  Atlantic 500, Piaggio BV250,SYM HD200,  Kymco Yager GT200
Current ride, Kymco GTi 300

scooterfan

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Re: hard to start
« Reply #16 on: February 16, 2019, 07:44:45 PM »
Scooterfan, I think you have a better grasp of CDI's than I do. Is there a easy way to identify whether a CDI is ac or dc? This would be some very good information to have. Compared to the old 12v ignition coils, all the smaller CDI coils look pretty much the same to me. 

Let me put it this way - in my case (Agility 125) it was quite easy to determine whether the CDI was AC or DC.
I did a lot of reading regarding the subject, and had a close look at the wiring on the DCI's on this video:



I then unplugged the plugs on my scooter's CDI, and used a Volt meter on all terminals at the loose plugs to see if there is any Volt reading at any of the terminals when the ignition Switch gets turned in the "On" position.

I discovered the following:

1. The 2 pin plug on my scooter also has only 1 wire. (Similar to the bigger DC CDI on the video).
2.  That single wire on the 2 pin plug wire was the only wire which gave a Voltage reading when the ignition Switch was turned in the "On" position.

My scooter (Agility 125) does not have a Kill Switch - the engine only gets switched off by turning the ignition Switch to the "Off" position. This obviously means the single wire on the 2 pin plug  MUST have power from the battery, otherwise the engine will simply not start.
Therefore common sense tells me my scooter's CDI MUST be a DC unit - after all, for what other reason would the engine die when only the power supply from the battery gets turned off via the ignition switch ?

Long story, but in my case it was quite easy to work out the puzzle. If my scooter came with a kill switch the puzzle would be more complicated.
All I actually know - with battery (DC) power, my scooter's engine starts. Without battery (DC) power, the engine dies immediately, and without battery (DC) power the engine will never start. Therefore the CDI MUST be a DC unit.

In short - I think you can just have a look at the video, ant have a look at the number of wires on the CDI's 2 pin plug. If the plug only has one wire, the CDI will definitely be a DC unit. If the plug has a 2nd wire from the kill Switch, I'm not sure.




Life is a journey. Just spend some time, and enjoy the trip.

DIRKHUNT

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Re: hard to start
« Reply #17 on: February 19, 2019, 08:03:28 PM »
Wow
Thanks for the indepth explanation

I didnt realize there were 2 types till this happened.

The Bajaj must have been AC since it would run on a dead battery but no lights or anything else electrical (sorta dangerous)

The Aprilia Scarabo would kick start and have lights with a dead battery

Interesting how different mfg wire their scoots differently

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