Re: odd ignition problem

General Discussion

odd ignition problem

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CXHOKIE 07-21-2008, 1:20 PM
so my 79 cx500 starts, runs and drives great, but it has an interesting problem, it won't turn off... hit the kill switch, nothing, take the key out, nothing. its not really bothering me, because i just choke the bike out to shut it down, and i think i've narrowed it down the cdi box, any opinions?

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LIFE IS SHORT-PLAY HARD
Its big, slow, noisy, ugly, and I LOVE IT

'79 cx500 "Tank"
'67 & '68 Mustangs

Re: odd ignition problem

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RichNCT 07-21-2008, 2:22 PM
The black/white stripe (as I recall) lead from the CDI has a bullet connector within a few inches of the CDI.  If this gets unplugged here, or anywhere else, neither the key sw nor the kill sw can ground the CDI to stop the ignition.

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Born to be relatively wild

Re: odd ignition problem

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CXHOKIE 07-22-2008, 6:43 AM
yeah i checked that, i checked to see if i was getting a good ground to the box by grounding that wire directly to the neg battery post, still no change

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LIFE IS SHORT-PLAY HARD
Its big, slow, noisy, ugly, and I LOVE IT

'79 cx500 "Tank"
'67 & '68 Mustangs

Re: odd ignition problem

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RichNCT 07-22-2008, 9:45 AM
Did you try to ground the "kill" lead from the CDI to see if the engine stops?  That would tell you if the problem is in the CDI (it doesn't stop) or in the wiring and switches (it does stop).

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Born to be relatively wild

Re: odd ignition problem

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CXHOKIE 07-22-2008, 6:27 PM
thats exactly what i did, i grounded the wire going into the box, with no change

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LIFE IS SHORT-PLAY HARD
Its big, slow, noisy, ugly, and I LOVE IT

'79 cx500 "Tank"
'67 & '68 Mustangs

Re: odd ignition problem

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RichNCT 07-28-2008, 8:23 PM
Well, if you are sure you are grounding the correct wire, and if the ground connections are good to the frame and starter mounts, it sounds like the CDI is not okay. The next step is usually to get another CDI and try it.

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Born to be relatively wild