Author Topic: CR250 Ignition Testing - With Multimeter (Read 9578 times)

havinnoj · « **on:** February 26, 2014, 04:28:24 PM »

I bought (what looks like) a clean cr250 ignition on eBay and want to test the coil, cdi, and stator with a multi-meter since it won't be installed for a while. I've only tested these by "seat of the pants" so I'm looking for how to give it a true test.

Ignition Coil = coil. Test the pickup to ground.
Ignition Pulse generator = pickup on flywheel/stator. Test the black and black/white wires?
Alternator Exciter Coil = Stator. How to test? Test hot wire to stator ground?

Anybody have the specs for testing the CDI box?

DnB_Racing · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2014, 04:40:20 PM »

Quote from: havinnoj;27002

I bought (what looks like) a clean cr250 ignition on eBay and want to test the coil, cdi, and stator with a multi-meter since it won't be installed for a while. I've only tested these by "seat of the pants" so I'm looking for how to give it a true test.

Ignition Coil = coil. Test the pickup to ground.
Ignition Pulse generator = pickup on flywheel/stator. Test the black and black/white wires?
Alternator Exciter Coil = Stator. How to test? Test hot wire to stator ground?

Anybody have the specs for testing the CDI box?

the only tests you can perform with a multi meter are the 5 resistance, unless you have a peak voltage adapter, using a meter with min/max hold gives inconsistent readings at best..you really need the peak voltage tester to get the rest of the readings

havinnoj · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2014, 05:36:11 PM »

Don't have a peak voltage tester - not sure I want to fork over the cash for one or a Fluke DMM that would include it. Are the peak voltage tests needed? [MENTION=105]rsss396[/MENTION] - thoughts?

rsss396 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2014, 05:51:50 PM »

Yeah unfortunately there is no real way to test a CDI except to install it on a running bike or test bench that spins the flywheel.
if it makes you feel any better the cdi's are pretty robust and rarely fail so odds are it's ok

DnB_Racing · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2014, 05:58:06 PM »

the peak volt tests will show some issues that the resistance test cant, but for the most part resistance tests will be enough, it wont show the true condition of the windings, but will show if they are good with no load
but for cdi the only real test is replacement,

unless you have a schematic of the cdi along with the values of the capacitors and a capacitance tester... in other words a swap is much easier and practical

havinnoj · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2014, 05:13:31 PM »

For future reference - looks like the "how to test" questions are answered in the 2000-2001 CR250 Ignition Service Manual pdf download in the Technical Section.

C-Leigh Racing · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2014, 06:13:43 PM »

You need an old TRX ignition to test on, those are the real hair pullers.
The CR ignitions, even the early anilog type are far better than the old TRX.

Dave,
Wonder what ever happened to ol Teamgeeks from Mac Dizzy, now he was a ignition wizz.
Neil

rsss396 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2014, 07:01:55 PM »

Haha I think TeamGeek kind of wore his welcome out where ever he stayed for a length of time, he was pretty sharp when it came to ignitions but it might have been a lot of hot air on some of it because I tried a few of his ideas on my bench tester and never seen a differance so who knows.
Then he told me he would reverse engineer a bad LRD ignition I had and I sent it to him and after repeatedly asking him about I got a half azz answer from him of how it was made with no specifics like I was promised.