No Spark, ideas?

Snow Kat · 07-31-2009, 12:35 PM

Hi I've got a 94 katana with no spark at the coils. The grounds are good. The resistance on the coils is good the resistance for the crank sensor is within range, the kill switch, and clutch switch both checked out. There's also power at the CDI box.

How do I check the CDI box? they're few & far between and usually expensive. I'd like to be sure before I buy one.

Thanks!

squiggy · 07-31-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow Kat

The grounds are good.

What about the power side?

For CDI diagnosing you may very well need to take it to the dealer. I can't remember if Suzi's FSM has an area for troubleshooting the CDI.

Snow Kat · 07-31-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow Kat

There's also power at the CDI box.

Thanks!

Suzuki can't test it, I've called.

squiggy · 07-31-2009, 03:08 PM

Check on the power side and let us know.

The CDI's are solid state electronics so they rarely go bad. I just saw in the for sale section someone selling a Pre CDI. I didn't look at the cost, though.

When I get home I see if the factory service manual says anything about the CDI box.

Snow Kat · 07-31-2009, 03:22 PM

thanks that would be really apprciated, the chilton manual is not that great.

squiggy · 08-02-2009, 01:05 AM

Here's some scan's I made of the Suzuki FSM. It is, however, for my 2001, but it will give you an idea as to what needs to be done to troubleshoot your issue.

The first is a troubleshooting flow chart. Since you've stated that your coils are fine then the last section would apply to you.

The next pic is an image of the ignitor, a.k.a. CDI, and it's associated inbound and outbound wires.

Lastly is the test procedure to isolate a faulty CDI from a faulty signal generator.

DumbLuck · 08-02-2009, 02:14 AM

about the only way to check a CDI is to test the coils for proper resistance first, and then pull a plug and check for spark. insure that your wiring is correct and all connectors in good shape and firmly seated. check to be sure there is proper voltage to the CDI and the safety features are working properly. pay special attention to grounds. there is special equipment to check CDIs, but not every dealer can afford it

squiggy · 08-02-2009, 02:08 PM

The scans I posted above basically say the way to test the CDI is by eliminating everything else and if your still having issues then the CDI is faulty.

coreo19 · 08-10-2009, 07:56 PM

dont know if this applys to a pre but on a post the key switch is what grounds the cdi box.

07-31-2009, 12:35 PM	#1
Snow Kat Skid Mark Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: GWN Ontario Posts: 3 iTrader: (0) My Garage	No Spark, ideas? Hi I've got a 94 katana with no spark at the coils. The grounds are good. The resistance on the coils is good the resistance for the crank sensor is within range, the kill switch, and clutch switch both checked out. There's also power at the CDI box. How do I check the CDI box? they're few & far between and usually expensive. I'd like to be sure before I buy one. Thanks!

08-02-2009, 02:14 AM	#7
DumbLuck Kat Champion Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: southern mn Posts: 2,316 iTrader: (0) My Garage eBay ID: MrDawn1127	about the only way to check a CDI is to test the coils for proper resistance first, and then pull a plug and check for spark. insure that your wiring is correct and all connectors in good shape and firmly seated. check to be sure there is proper voltage to the CDI and the safety features are working properly. pay special attention to grounds. there is special equipment to check CDIs, but not every dealer can afford it __________________ 99% of the questions asked here can be answered by a 2 minute search in the service manual. Get a service manual, USE IT. 1990 Suzuki GSX750F Katana '53 Ford F250 pickumuptruck Lookin for a new Enduro project

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07-31-2009, 03:08 PM	#4
squiggy Kat Master Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 3,270 iTrader: (3) My Garage	Check on the power side and let us know. The CDI's are solid state electronics so they rarely go bad. I just saw in the for sale section someone selling a Pre CDI. I didn't look at the cost, though. When I get home I see if the factory service manual says anything about the CDI box.

07-31-2009, 03:22 PM	#5
Snow Kat Skid Mark Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: GWN Ontario Posts: 3 iTrader: (0) My Garage	thanks that would be really apprciated, the chilton manual is not that great.

08-02-2009, 01:05 AM	#6
squiggy Kat Master Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 3,270 iTrader: (3) My Garage	Here's some scan's I made of the Suzuki FSM. It is, however, for my 2001, but it will give you an idea as to what needs to be done to troubleshoot your issue. The first is a troubleshooting flow chart. Since you've stated that your coils are fine then the last section would apply to you. The next pic is an image of the ignitor, a.k.a. CDI, and it's associated inbound and outbound wires. Lastly is the test procedure to isolate a faulty CDI from a faulty signal generator.

08-02-2009, 02:08 PM	#8
squiggy Kat Master Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 3,270 iTrader: (3) My Garage	The scans I posted above basically say the way to test the CDI is by eliminating everything else and if your still having issues then the CDI is faulty.

08-10-2009, 07:56 PM	#9
coreo19 Poser Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: kentucky Posts: 81 iTrader: (3) My Garage	dont know if this applys to a pre but on a post the key switch is what grounds the cdi box.