CDI replacement question By genseeker (Read 3,708 times)

[genseeker]

Last week my scooter had the belt, contra spring and rollers replaced. I've previously had a BBK installed in it several months ago. When we picked it up from the shop, it was hard to start and we had to kick it to start. That was Thursday and I've drove it every day since then with the same issue, only starting if I rotate the engine using the kick start first. It didn't need to actually start with the kick, if I understood my brother I was just rotating the engine to get the oil where it need to be. It was only after sitting for several hours that I had this problem.

Anyways, this morning it not only wouldn't start, I had no power at all. Checked my battery and it was low so I charged it but still absolutely no power. Checked my inline fuse and connections - all good. Had a CDI off a parts scooter & tried it but nothing but no idea really if that CDI was good (I'm guessing not now). Once my son got home, I pulled the CDI off his scoot (known good) and tried it. Scoot fired up without any trouble so looks like the CDI is my problem.

So here is my question - Do I need a stronger than stock CDI? I have some funds sitting in Amazon gift cards so if someone could recommend something I'd be grateful. I have no idea what weight rollers are in the scoot now, only that Shannon(mechanic) said he didn't put the stock size in since I had that engine work done. And they only carry Gates belts for these scoots which I know is what peeps here recommend. With the BBK, different rollers and one size stiffer contra spring is there anything else I might need to upgrade? 

[Alleyoop]

The CDI that you had in it with the BBK was it a so called performance CDI either blue or orange?
If so they have the timing fixed at an advanced degree which makes for hard starting. The Cdi from your sons scoot was it Original BLACK?
Alleyoop

If your looking for a good CDI that is retarded for starting and advances the timing after around 3000 rpms here is what you want.
alleyoop
COPY THE ENTIRE LINK AND PAST IT on the Browser entry.
www.nycscooterparts.com/#!product/prd1/1565684485/variable-timing-performance-cdi-nycsp0007

[genseeker]

Mine just had a stock black CDI, didn't know it needed changed. Thanks for the help. Um, how do I know if my scoot is AC or DC. If it helps, the when you turn the key all the lights turn on but they don't work if key is off.

[Alleyoop]

A DC CDI is fed power from the battery when the KEY is turned on. So if hour scoot is 12v fed and you have a weak or bad battery you will not have any spark and it will not start.

So the easyiest means without seeing picture of your CDI is get a volt meter and TURN the KEY ON and test every wire on the CDI for 12volts if you get 12volts from any wire then you most likey have a DC CDI.

But it would help us help you if you would take pictures of your scoot to identify it as well as the CDI and COIL and Stator if you could.

[genseeker]

139QMB TaoTao ATM50. My CDI has 2 plugs - 4 pin & 2 pin. With the stock CDI, when I turned the key on I had absolutely no power, no lights. Even after making sure battery was fully charged still no power at all to anything. CDI measures 3/4" thick X  1 1/2" wide X 2 5/8" long on the black part.

[Alleyoop]

Aug 31, 2015 20:22:44 GMT -6 genseeker said:

139QMB TaoTao ATM50. My CDI has 2 plugs - 4 pin & 2 pin. With the stock CDI, when I turned the key on I had absolutely no power, no lights. Even after making sure battery was fully charged still no power at all to anything. CDI measures 3/4" thick X  1 1/2" wide X 2 5/8" long on the black part.

Your problem sounds like a blown fuse, if turning the key on nothing works at all. The very least that should work when the key is turned on is the FUEL GAUGE and your BRAKE LIGHTS when the brakes are squeezed they are powered by the battery and not the stator which produces voltage after the motor starts.

So check the thin RED WIRE hooked up to the POSITIVE POST of the battery it should have a FUSE on it about 6 inchs away they are usually the cheap tube type fuses and are prone to break. They are usualy 10amp fuses and that wire goes straight to your ignition. Your ignition ALWAYS has 12volts so when you turn the KEY ON your fuel gauge should work and your brake lights should work to use the ELECTRIC START.
Alleyoop

Also your CDI is a AC CDI and is powered by the STATOR not the battery.

[genseeker]

The fuse is good and the wiring has been checked. Fuel gauge has never worked, think it's bad in the cluster cause the place I got it from has replaced the tank sending unit 2x. Turns out the reason I had no brake lights was the bulb went bad, didn't consider that since it worked fine the last I rode it.

Should I order a performance CDI & coil set? Or just the CDI, and which is better - orange or blue or is there a difference?

[genseeker]

My brother suggested I order a CDI & coil set so I ordered a set off Amazon today.

smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0146CAYMG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

[Alleyoop]

Well you went cheap and you get what you pay for that BLUE CDI is one of the worst you could have gotten. It is filled with sand and sand HOLDS heat. There is actually a thread on here talking about how bad that CDI is.

Also When you squeeze the brakes does your stop lights come on Does ANYTHING WORK WITH THE KEY ON?
Reason I ask is you probably just looked at the fuse and it looked good but you have to test EACH SIDE for 12volts. You need to test 12volts is getting to the fuse and 12volts come out the other side.

Many Dudes make that mistake they look at it and it looks good but it is broken on one of the ends which you cannot see.

[horace]

In My Opinion,

The Orange and Blue CDI will indeed make starting harder than just using/replacing the stock one......


A simple test without a multimeter-----

Try a fresh battery!!!!!!!!

How well is your plug boot fitted on the spark plug?

You started this thread by saying a " SHOP " did some work.....

Is it possible they made a mistake ? Or possibly need to have them fix this issue?

[horace]

BTW, Your belt and CVT innards should have no effect on a hard starting issue unless things were installed VERY wrong.......

Please try a new Battery first.

If all else fails you can make a stock Coil/Boot Hotter by replacing the resistor
( that is a different story though )

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

[cyborg]

Alley is correct once again ,,,I had a fuse that looked good but in the holder ,,,no go so it got changed

[horace]

I am glad it worked for you, Unfortunatly the OP still has an issue....... I indeed hope a simple fuse is the answer.

Good Luck!!!!!

[Alleyoop]

Have to start from where the Voltage is coming from. If good there then it could be the IGNITION that is not making contact with the BLACK wire when the KEY IS TURNED on. So need to trace where the voltage is being lost. That is why having those two electrical testers is paramount.

Need to test both sides of the fuse not just look at it. Needs at least a 12v Light Tester and or a Multi Meter I recommend all dudes with scoots to get both. It is very easy to use to find a problem that a part is not getting voltage. All you do is clip the black wire to ground and PROBE the wire that SHOULD have voltage if the light tester lights up your good if not you found a problem.
Alleyoop
BOTH FOR UNDER $10.00 INDISPENSABLE TOOLS TO FIND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ON YOUR SCOOT:

[genseeker]

The fuse is one that lights up when blown. A friend bought a pair for me when one blew previously. So pretty obvious the fuse is good. I do not have a multimeter or test light. Battery is good because my son switched it over to his scoot and has been running it for a couple of days. He'd forgot to turn the switch completely off on his scoot and ran his battery down and past couple days he's been on 12 hr shifts. I charged his battery and put it in my scoot and still no start UNTIL I used his CDI. The only thing that made a difference in starting was switching CDI.

The shop only replaced the belt, contra spring & rollers. Didn't have to touch anything outside the CVT.

As for going cheap, I had to order something off Amazon, I have a gift card balance there. Unfortunately, I live on disability and don't have the money to order from a shop or I'd gotten one local. The gift cards were gifts from out of state family to help me keep my scoot running. After paying my basic home bills (rent, etc) I have less than $100 to live off for a month and gotta get things you can't buy with food stamps. Please don't take this as complaining, I just want you to understand what my financial position is and why I went with Amazon. Only reason I even got a scoot was because I need a way around and it was all I could afford. Once I got it though, I feel in love with the freedom to be able to go places without walking miles.