Topic: CDI boxes cb650c

[weltzing]

Hey all, just wondering what the cdi boxes are for on my 1980 cb650c..the wires are all gummed up inside of the boxes..

[cb650]

They amplify the signal from the ignition pickups.  Its the first gen honda electronic ignition.    They frequently do melt the goo in the back.  Some have put in JB weld.

[weltzing]

Is there a way you can test them, because I've had many problems with it running well, I've had the carbs off many times cleaned and still not running well.  Also have checked like everything, the coils and connections on them, spark and compression...etc..

[cb650]

I dont have my manual with me.  Volker has a link to one in his tag on the 650 site.
honda650.net   I think it is. 

[dave500]

mostly itll stop dead,maybe cool down then go again,not a source of missfire as such or poor running.

[cb650]

Mine did that last year and it was one of the pickups.  Get hot and run on 2 then after cooling down would run good again.   Could be any one of the parts though.

[Jan187]

I found mine were leaked out too. when solving ignition problems it turned out the amplifier boxes all leaked out, the black resin in there was boiled out! sticky stuff

That was not the entire problem, this was caused by a crack in my coil's housing. Especially when it was wet or when riding city traffic when the engine heat rised into the coil, it would fail. Ending with me standing on the side of the road.
So you might as well check your coils. I replaced everything with the complete ignition cirquit of a goldwing GL1200, check part numbers because I don't remember exact year and types. they use the same ignition and it was a bargain.

If you want an upgrade look here http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=83738.0

good luck!
and the parts are even cheaper!

[TwoTired]

Is that a true CDI (capacitive discharge ignition)?

If so.  It is my understanding that the switch transistors overheat due to the capacitors going bad/resistive.  The extra transistor heat melt the potting compound inside.

While they may still spark, they won't spark at the original higher spark voltage.

I have heard (but not done it), that the capacitors can be replaced to restore full operation.  A bad capacitor usually continues to get worse, the the over taxed transistors will eventually fail from the stress.

I have never seen the inside of these boxes.  So, maybe this post is useless.  But, if someone wants to send me a failed or melted box, I might be able to look inside and figure it out.

Just a thought...

Cheers,

[Pinhead]

No, Twotired it's actually a TCI, not a CDI, purely Kettering. I'm not really sure why all of the manuals claim it's a CDI system, except for the lack of understanding of the differences.

If your coils are bad and your ignition modules are bad, you should consider the GM HEI conversion. Parts are cheap and the spark is light-years ahead of the stock Honda system.

[weltzing]

I have had the coil wires off and they were corroted and the wires werent even showing, so i cleaned them up, but still nothing, pinhead do you have the link to that GM HEI conversion parts?
thanks

[Duke McDukiedook]

I assume in these types of systems to get the high discharge energy they use electrolytics for the capacitors. In any type of electrical system that has 20+ years on it with them in these are usually your culprits when electronics go wonky.

They are pretty easy to replace as long as you can match the values of the capacitors you are replacing.

[Pinhead]

I assume in these types of systems to get the high discharge energy they use electrolytics for the capacitors. In any type of electrical system that has 20+ years on it with them in these are usually your culprits when electronics go wonky.

They are pretty easy to replace as long as you can match the values of the capacitors you are replacing.

The 650's ignition is a TCI system which has no capacitors (it's not actually a CDI system as many manuals claim).

Weltzing, I don't have any links for you now (I'm on my phone on a trip) but I'll try to find something for you when I get back to a computer.