WTB - CDI for a 92 Suzuki GS500

[lucas]

Hey does anyone have a CDI for sale?

[weedahoe]

I have one sitting here on my desk

[lucas]

It looks like my problem might be with the coils.  Should be receiving a replacement this week.  Hopefully that'll wake up my dead cylinder!

[The Buddha]

It looks like my problem might be with the coils.  Should be receiving a replacement this week.  Hopefully that'll wake up my dead cylinder!

Which coil ? the trigger coil on the crank next to your right foot, or under the tank ?
How did your swap work ?

Cool.
Buddha.

[lucas]

The coil under the tank.  Your procedure for testing the CDI was a winner, thanks a lot for that advice.  I used a metal pick to swap the wires coming off the signal generator up to the CDI, and then I swapped the wires coming out of the CDI to the coils.

When I did that the left cylinder remained dead.  This showed that the CDI is able to light up the spark plugs using both its output circuits.

I am really spending a lot of time tracking down the many bugs in this bike.  It was a basket case, after all.  It gets very confusing to diagnose problems when there are multiple overlapping issues.

I was getting frustrated because i checked the plugs, plug wires, coils, wiring, CDI, generator... but it occurred to me that maybe, just maybe, when I swapped the coils i took them off the bike and then put them back in the same position on accident?  So I got a paint pen out and marked the coils... took a picture for good measure, and then swapped the coils.  Voila, the dead cylinder jumped to the right side.

Jumped on eBay and ordered a used coil for $13 - it's due to arrive on Thursday and I'm looking forward to a smooth idling gs.  Fingers crossed.

[The Buddha]

Well when you swap coils left to right, did the dead cyl follow the coil you should have started there - and not swap from the trigger coil.
Cool.
Buddha.

[lucas]

I meant to swap the coils, but based on the evidence I think I had failed to switch their positions.  The combination of intermittent coil failure, failure to swap properly, possibly plugged passages in the carbs, old scuzzy jets, a disconnected signal generator sensor made a complete diagnosis an epic ordeal.

Now that the jets are new, carbs are spotless inside and out, wiring is all good, and the spotty coil is replaced the GS500 is finally idling well on two cylinders.  Now its time to print out the torque specs and check them all and button the bike back up.   

[The Buddha]

Oh good, you didn't start throwing parts @ it at random ... yeaaaaayyyy for you.
Cool.
Buddha.