Permatune CDI Box - Fixable?

[drola]

I had this cdi in a 1983 SC when suddenly it quit working
the little green light blinks slowly and as per the label on the unit that means it's good
but it's not. it doesn't work. i swapped it out for another one and the car started immediately. put this one back and nothing.
So the question is - are these things fixable? or does it go in the trash?

[TwoBluPorsches]

Fixable — Yes

Also upgradeable, if you want to keep an original looking box.

Some internet sleuthing will give you lots of options.

I believe that Perma-Tune still exists and can repair them.

Even if you don’t repair it, it’s worth something to somebody as a core.


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[mysocal911]

Originally Posted by TwoBluPorsches

Fixable — Yes

Really? You do see that the electronics have been potted, and as such the electronics are destroyed when the potting is removed.

Originally Posted by TwoBluPorsches

Also upgradeable, if you want to keep an original looking box.

Some internet sleuthing will give you lots of options.

I believe that Perma-Tune still exists and can repair them.

Even if you don’t repair it, it’s worth something to somebody as a core.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

"Upgradeable" for what? Since the unit is not repairable, it basically has zero value.
Do a search about the high failure rate of this CDI!

[TwoBluPorsches]

The Blue Permatune that came on my car has been repaired, a long time ago and I don’t recall the details but I’m thinking it went to permatune.

Doesn’t classic retro put new guts into old boxes - or is their service limited to Bosch boxes?


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[Schulisco]

Originally Posted by TwoBluPorsches

The Blue Permatune that came on my car has been repaired, a long time ago and I don’t recall the details but I’m thinking it went to permatune.

Doesn’t classic retro put new guts into old boxes - or is their service limited to Bosch boxes?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The blue (gen1&2) and the later silver/golden boxes (gen3) weren't potted. Starting with gen 4 black boxes they were all potted...

https://permatune.com/technical-information/

Not potted boxes are repairable, pottet boxes probably as well, never tried yet. But there are some videos on youtube showing to uncover potted electronics (no permatune boxes).

On of the main reasons why they fail are not properly fixed or loosened spark plug connectors and a missing backup flash over contact at the minus pole of ignition coil which leads to flash over of the spark back into the cdi box. So also my my black gen4 Permatune box died on this way. I don't suppose that poorer part quality or a poor electronics design is the reason why permatune boxes will fail disproportionately compared to other vendors like Bosch or MSD...but unfortunately I cannot name a reason why they may fail more often as others....but a Bosch CDI box will also die with a flash over back in the box...no question.

Further reading on back flashes back into CDI boxes: section "back flaps"
https://www-911--hkz-de.translate.goog/Zuendspulen.htm?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Thomas

[mysocal911]

Originally Posted by Schulisco

The blue (gen1&2) and the later silver/golden boxes (gen3) weren't potted. Starting with gen 4 black boxes they were all potted...

https://permatune.com/technical-information/

Not potted boxes are repairable, pottet boxes probably as well, never tried yet. But there are some videos on youtube showing to uncover potted electronics (no permatune boxes).

Not! Guessing, right?

Originally Posted by Schulisco

On of the main reasons why they fail are not properly fixed or loosened spark plug connectors and a missing backup flash over contact at the minus pole of ignition coil which leads to flash over of the spark back into the cdi box. So also my my black gen4 Permatune box died on this way. I don't suppose that poorer part quality or a poor electronics design is the reason why permatune boxes will fail disproportionately compared to other vendors like Bosch or MSD...but unfortunately I cannot name a reason why they may fail more often as others....but a Bosch CDI box will also die with a flash over back in the box...no question.

Further reading on back flashes back into CDI boxes: section "back flaps"
https://www-911--hkz-de.translate.goog/Zuendspulen.htm?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Thomas

You guessed it!

[jbell959]

Call Bob Ashlock. He can install his CDI unit in your aluminum case

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[Jonny H]

Originally Posted by TwoBluPorsches

The Blue Permatune that came on my car has been repaired, a long time ago and I don’t recall the details but I’m thinking it went to permatune.

Doesn’t classic retro put new guts into old boxes - or is their service limited to Bosch boxes?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We can put our electronics into standard Bosch cases or in our own replica casting.

There is no easy way to repair a unit that has been set in potting compound.

[spoke]

I met Lonnie (Permatune owner) in 2019 in Pittsburgh.

Told him I was having ignition issue with my 930 and he responded:

"We can test your ignition system in our lab in Cleveland in just a day. Send us the module, coil, and distributor to :

Perma-Tune
Warranty Dept.
9197 Darrow Road
Twinsburg, OH 44087
631.312.3280

His email address is lonnie@permatune.com

[spyerx]

Had an older permatune in my 71 for a while, it seemed to work ok, it was installed probably in the 90s.
Had good luck with both Ashlock and the unit that parts klassik sells. had the latter in my 914/6 when the original CDI gave up the ghost... replaced the coil, cdi (with rev limit setting), and harness with the PK bits...

[mysocal911]

Originally Posted by spyerx

Had an older permatune in my 71 for a while, it seemed to work ok, it was installed probably in the 90s.
Had good luck with both Ashlock and the unit that parts klassik sells. had the latter in my 914/6 when the original CDI gave up the ghost... replaced the coil, cdi (with rev limit setting), and harness with the PK bits...

Right, Porsche installed the blue Perma-Tune in the '76 911. Perma-Tune was a totally different company then! Good luck with the other aftermarket CDIs mentioned.

Read post #4 here; Blue CD Box -- '77 911 (Question)