- Joined
- Mar 1, 2000
- RO Number
- 6
- Messages
- 231
TROUBLESHOOTING OMC BATTERY CD IGNITIONS
(NOTICE: Maintenance-free batteries are not recommended for use with these systems!)
NOTE: DVA stands for Digital Voltage Adaptor, I.E. Peak Reading Voltmeter
A large portion of the problems with the battery CD units are caused by low battery voltage or bad ground connections. Low Voltage symptoms are weak fire or weak erratic firing of cylinders.
1. Check all battery and ground connections.
2. Check the voltage on the red (or purple) wire at the CD unit: If the voltage is less than 9ВЅ volts during cranking there is a problem in the battery circuit. These units require at least 9ВЅ volts to fire property. Connect a jumper wire directly from the battery (+) terminal to the red (or purple) wire. Retest. ATTENTION: In order to kill the engine if it cranks, the jumper wire must be disconnected and/or choke the engine. If the engine still fails to crank, recheck voltage as above. If low, replace battery and retry.
3. Disconnect points and/or sensor wire and connect a battery tester: Connect the Battery CD Tester according to the instructions on the back and align rotor with spark plug wire. Connect a spark gap to all spark plug wires and turn the ignition switch on. If the CD unit fires to only one spark plug wire, check the points, sensor, anti-reverse spring and wires for breaks and shorts, If ANY other spark plug wire fires besides the one the rotor is aligned with, the distributor cap and rotor should be replaced. The Battery CD tester will fire the system to approximately 3000 RPM, If the Battery CD tester is not used, strike points wire against engine ground. For the sensor, strike the two sensor wires together, The CD unit should fire every time. If the CD unit fails to fire, it is usually bad.
4) Check the ignition coil: An open, cracked or poorly grounded coil can burn out a battery CD unit.
5) Check the DVA voltage on the primary input wire to the coil: Reading should be approximately 200 volts or more.
6) Simplified bench test:
(NOTICE: Maintenance-free batteries are not recommended for use with these systems!)
NOTE: DVA stands for Digital Voltage Adaptor, I.E. Peak Reading Voltmeter
A large portion of the problems with the battery CD units are caused by low battery voltage or bad ground connections. Low Voltage symptoms are weak fire or weak erratic firing of cylinders.
1. Check all battery and ground connections.
2. Check the voltage on the red (or purple) wire at the CD unit: If the voltage is less than 9ВЅ volts during cranking there is a problem in the battery circuit. These units require at least 9ВЅ volts to fire property. Connect a jumper wire directly from the battery (+) terminal to the red (or purple) wire. Retest. ATTENTION: In order to kill the engine if it cranks, the jumper wire must be disconnected and/or choke the engine. If the engine still fails to crank, recheck voltage as above. If low, replace battery and retry.
3. Disconnect points and/or sensor wire and connect a battery tester: Connect the Battery CD Tester according to the instructions on the back and align rotor with spark plug wire. Connect a spark gap to all spark plug wires and turn the ignition switch on. If the CD unit fires to only one spark plug wire, check the points, sensor, anti-reverse spring and wires for breaks and shorts, If ANY other spark plug wire fires besides the one the rotor is aligned with, the distributor cap and rotor should be replaced. The Battery CD tester will fire the system to approximately 3000 RPM, If the Battery CD tester is not used, strike points wire against engine ground. For the sensor, strike the two sensor wires together, The CD unit should fire every time. If the CD unit fails to fire, it is usually bad.
4) Check the ignition coil: An open, cracked or poorly grounded coil can burn out a battery CD unit.
5) Check the DVA voltage on the primary input wire to the coil: Reading should be approximately 200 volts or more.
6) Simplified bench test: