Automotive ignition modules.

[bryan88]

It looks like the CDI, (or whatever the proper name for it is) on my bike has packed up. In my searches I have seen a couple of things about using car ignition modules. Has anybody managed this on a GS. I know the most obvious thing to do would be to replace it, but here in South Africa such things are rare and horribly expensive. Secondly, the set up I have now is from my old GS450, so it's not simply a case of plugging a new unit in. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[smokestack]

I don't know about hacking in a non-OEM CDI but many US sellers on eBay will ship internationally. It's easy to check that the problem isn't something downstream the CDI with a multimeter.

[lucas]

How did you determine that the CDI is faulty and not something easier to fix?  You have signal generator sensors, wiring to the CDI, electrical connectors, ground connections from the CDI, wiring to the coils, the coils themselves, spark plug wires and spark plugs.  Have you eliminated all those other possibilities?

This process of elimination is the traditional way of checking the CDI but it is possible to check it directly if you are still getting sparks on one cylinder.

[Big Rich]

PeteGS here (or plain Pete on the GSResources) was able to use a Dyna ignition on his GS450. So it is possible to use other CDI boxes.

But my personal opinion? It should be pretty easy to get a box for a GS500.

[bryan88]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I am not too good with electronics but so far I have tested the pick-ups and they seem ok. I have shorted out the coils and am getting spark. The reason I suspect the CDI is from a test I tried where you activate the CDI with a 1.5v battery and you should get a spark, I did not. Regarding getting something from overseas, at 16:1 for our useless Rand everything gets pretty expensive. Have found some very interesting stuff on GSResources so I will keep plugging away. Thanks again.

[lucas]

  16 Rand = 1 USD

Maybe someone here has a spare?