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would our bikes run at all with a bad CDI box?
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TOPIC: would our bikes run at all with a bad CDI box?
#1022697
T_rum (User)
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would our bikes run at all with a bad CDI box? 5 Months ago  
Hello all,
I haven't been on here in quite a while. The Roadie has sat a lot during the last 2 or 3 years only getting one or 2 rides per year while I focus on family and work. Last time I rode was a 2 day 500 or so mile trip in June of 2016. It ran well and I parked it until I moved into a new house and it would not start up.
I ended up having to tow it to the new place due to lack of time to figure out the problem. I've since replaced the battery and starter. I have a shop Manuel and have tried checking all the switches for continuity. Everything seems fine. I can jump the bike staight from the battery terminal to the starter(As I read about here searching previous posts) and have taken it foe 2 rides of about 50 miles each in which the bike seems to run just fine, but I still cannot get it to start from the switch.
The switch does however trigger the decompression solenoid, but nothing makes it to the starter or starter relay.
So now I'm wondering if I have a bad CDI box since that's the think you cant test (according to the Manuel) But, is it possible for the bike to have a bad CDI box and still run as long as you bypass everything when you start by jumping it like I did?
 
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Last Edit: 2017/09/21 19:15 By T_rum. Reason: clearity
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#1022701
Shores (User)
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Re:would our bikes run at all with a bad CDI box? 5 Months ago  
Bad battery and ethenol fuel that has turned to gel.
 
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#1022702
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Re:would our bikes run at all with a bad CDI box? 5 Months ago  
Even though the same battery starts the bike (and it stays running) when I jump it from the positive terminal to the starter itself?
 
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#1022724
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Re:would our bikes run at all with a bad CDI box? 5 Months ago  
It sounds like a bad starter relay. If you check for voltage at the starter relay you will find voltage on the 1 side with the cable going to the battery. When you push the starter button you should have power on both battery cable terminals on the relay. Yours don't. Tap on it with a screwdriver handle to see it it will break loose and start working. It needs to be replace even if it does break loose. Buy OEM and not a Ebay aftermarket relay people say the aftermarket don't last long.
 
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#1022725
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Re:would our bikes run at all with a bad CDI box? 5 Months ago  
yeah. I agree, starter relay. best to get OEM, which run about 70$, I believe. I have had a couple go out and same symptoms.
 
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#1022729
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Re:would our bikes run at all with a bad CDI box? 5 Months ago  
Thanks, I will test that and happily but a new starter relay if that's what the problem is.
 
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#1022736
FRJ (User)
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Re:would our bikes run at all with a bad CDI box? 5 Months ago  
Before jumping to the starter relay, there's also a starter relay cutoff circuit to investigate too. It's one of the small black boxes that lives under the side covers or under the seat. Mine was fried/corroded even though the bike lives indoors, and turned out to be the culprit when I had the exact same symptoms as yours. I rewired the starter switch and replaced the starter relay before I ordered a new little black box and problem solved.
 
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#1022737
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Re:would our bikes run at all with a bad CDI box? 5 Months ago  
I did a terrible job of documenting my part and fix, and only DaveJ here had even heard of the stupid little part. For reference, the starter relay is #31 on this diagram and the part I needed was #38 or #50. I'm nearly 100% sure #38. Just test all of them for a bad circuit while you're in there.

http://www.2wheelpros.com/oem-parts/2005-yamaha-road-star-midnight-xv17amt-electrical-2-assembly.html#
 
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#1022746
BubbaKahuna (User)
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Re:would our bikes run at all with a bad CDI box? 5 Months ago  
The starter relay also has a 30A fuse on it.
I'd start there first (cheap).
 
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Last Edit: 2017/09/22 17:21 By BubbaKahuna.
 
This fits in here, right? I mean, I can make this fit in here ... right?

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#1022782
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Re:would our bikes run at all with a bad CDI box? 5 Months ago  
BubbaKahuna wrote:
The starter relay also has a 30A fuse on it.
I'd start there first (cheap).


That 30 amp fuse is the main fuse. If that fuse is bad nothing will happen when you turn the key to "On" you will have no power at all on the bike and it will not start even jumping strait to the starter.
 
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