cdi rebuild service systems sc

81white911 · 09-24-2008, 08:38 AM

Can anyone give me a referral on Systems SC Manhattan beach CA, I think I need my CDI fixed or replaced, but before i send then the CDI i would like to hear from someone.

scottb · 09-24-2008, 01:21 PM

The business is owned by a guy named Loren. He used to post here under the name "LorenFB." He was very combative and at times difficult, but one thing that came through loud and clear was that he knew what he was talking about when it came to Porsche electronics. Fortunately, I have not needed his services, but I would send my box to him if I had a problem.

HTH.

Scott

schoward · 09-24-2008, 03:56 PM

81 white

What are the symptoms that lead you to this conclusion that CDI is on the way out? Just curious.

timc · 09-24-2008, 04:02 PM

ischmitz does it on this board...

ischmitz · ischmitz's Garage

I sent you a PM 81white911

Ingo

81white911 · 09-25-2008, 04:50 AM

I tried taking a used spark plug and grounding it to check spark. Got good spark but intermitant. Then i tried the same with the cable from the coil. and got the same results. I havent checked the coil. waiting for someone to tell me how. Also, the engine quit twice a month ago when it was still running. It had been idling with the hood up for a long time (high temp in the engine bay) and it just died then i couldnt start it until the next day. I went through an exhaustive fuel check, clean, repair. and i cant start it now. so maybe the CDI started to fail at high temp and now its just messed up. I did look at the green wire, its spliced but done properly as far as i can tell. Right now its worth the money to get a good CDI, if that doesnt work ill let you know.

schoward · 09-25-2008, 09:36 AM

81 white

thanks for your theory. Curious because on my 81, it occasionally hiccups at idle (like a few times a year or less) but stays running. Sounds like the car is being turned off momentarily which has me thinking CDI is a little old and quirky. Wires, cap, rotor all fine. Just wanted to validate my thinking with yours. thanks.

ischmitz · ischmitz's Garage

The CDI box can intermittently fail (latch up under temperatue) - but typically these failures require you to power-cycles them (turn the ignition off and back on)

Your phenomenon could be a trigger wire failing or shorting out. These coax wires get brittle with time and can lead to an unstable trigger signal to the CDI box.

Ingo

schoward · 09-25-2008, 12:19 PM

Ingo

Where are these trigger wires you speak of? Coax wires?

Thanks.

ischmitz · ischmitz's Garage

It is the green wire that is connected to the distributor.

81white911 · 09-26-2008, 05:41 AM

Why do people splice these trigger wires? I havent found a replacement wire. After it leaves the distributor where does it go?

jtfreels · 09-26-2008, 06:33 AM

The green wire eventually ends up at the CDI box as two of the 6 connections. Lots of info (lots!) search on green coax or green wire. For example http://66.236.61.177/showthread.php?t=358877&page=2

The replacement Pelican sells is a pigtail, on many SC's the original is one piece from the CDI to the distributor, so to fix you must splice in a connector.

I just had to do this, the wire was pretty stiff, when I pulled it out of the distributor the connector just crumbled in my hand.

Jay

GaryR · GaryR's Garage

I was told you can use the "Green wire" from a 928, it's longer (and cheaper for some reason). Not sure if it's true or not..

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Ingo or our host.....Loren does good work but he makes Marquis de Sade look like a choir boy.

LFogelson · LFogelson's Garage

I was able to "troubleshoot" my CDI by borrowing one from my local independent shop. The tech took the one off his car...and my car ran fine. Instead of rebuilding my CDI I went with the MSD 6AL electronic ignition and MSD blaster coil (bought both cheap on ebay) and have not had a problem since.

equality72521 · 09-27-2008, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryR

I was told you can use the "Green wire" from a 928, it's longer (and cheaper for some reason). Not sure if it's true or not..

I have the 928 wire in my car. It's long enough to go straight to the CDI and I crimped new ends on and inserted them into the CDI plug. When I bought it the price was around $120.

81white911 · 09-27-2008, 06:14 AM

thanks for the advise, it looks like my green wire has been replaced and spiced before i bought it, not alot of hours on the car since i have purchased. The CDI is on its way to get checked. Ill keep you all posted.