Ok, I have a couple of questions.

My brother and I have been trying to get a 185 bayou running. We had no spark and finally replaced the CDI, worked for about a half hour and spark is gone again. What caused the CDI to go like that? What does the CDI do and can you bypass it. And last but not least, can you test the unit? Does the regulator protect the CDI and if the Regulator is bad with that cause the CDI to go?

This is my nephews machine and I think if we don't get it going soon he's getting rid of my brother and I, hehe. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Ignitions are my weakness, But I have tested the cdi unit before on my cr500r. A bunch of continuity tests with a volt/ohm meter. the test was outlined in my shop manual for it. If it was me i would start by checking all connections for corrosion. make sure the coil is grounded well to the frame,frayed wires, a wire that is rubbing on the frame,etc.. I wish I knew what would burn out a cdi, just not that sharp. I do know that the cdi is necessary and cant be bypassed. Welcome to the forum.

 

I've done a lot of reasearch on them, the primary reason I found out on what will burn them out is a bad voltage regulator letting too many volts coming through. I guess the CDI tells the coil when to spark. You can buy after market ones that you can program and advance your timing as well as set your rev limiter higher than the stock ones. I did find the testing specs for the cdi and it is done the way you mentioned. Thanks for your helpd.

Scott