So I have this '88 trail boss 250 r/es that is giving me a headache. I diagnosed a bad CDI box and replaced it. That let me run it once then parked it for the night and came out the next day and it wouldn't start. Diagnosed that the Stator Plate is not providing ground for the CDI box. If I run a separate ground to the CDI box off the frame it will start but then the frame will shock me when I touch it and not run right. It will only run at full throttle and die if I go below half throttle, also won't rev up at all. What the heck is going on? I pulled the stator off to check the wires for the ground and there is a brown and white wire coming off the stator plate and neither is providing ground. Almost like the stator is not getting any ground? I think the reason it's running bad is because of the spark going all over the place? Where can I run a ground for the CDI box without it shocking me??? Please help....

 

The engine should be grounded to the frame which is the ground for the coil and cdi. There shoud be a large wire on the top engine mount that connects the two. Could be your problem.

 

Yah I checked that and don't see any issues there.

 

make sure your etc switch is not closing.