Bosch CDI Dead?

[spb350]

Went for a drive today and my car was running good I parked it for about 20 min came out and it wouldn't start. It was turning over great, I turned the key on and popped the hood. I couldn't hear any hum from the CDI so I called a tow truck and got it home. I pulled the coil wire from the dist and stuck a spark plug in it, cranked it and no spark at all and still no humming. The CDI is a Bosch 0 277 200 001.

Can these be rebuilt for a reasonable price, someone on here doing it?

I see a lot of people converting to the MSD, any other good choices?

Is there another way to check these to make sure it is bad?

Thanks

[john walker's workshop]

Systems Consulting...Automotive Electronics

[timmy2]

Ingo (Ischmitz) or something similar is a member here that I believe does this work as well as what John posted.

Our host offers a rebuilding service for them as well.

[spb350]

Thanks guys I'll check into those suggestions.

[ManniB]

Originally Posted by spb350

Is there another way to check these to make sure it is bad?

Thanks

There are quite some things you can check out. First thing is to verify that the CDI box gets 12 V power at the 6-pin plug and that the ground strap of the console is still connected. Another possible fault is that it doesn't receive the trigger pulses from the distributor, either because the pickup is dead or the wiring is broken.

- Manfred

[dicklague]

Not sure if you have points. Check them and the wiring.

Also good suggestions on the wiring and ground. Check the voltage and the grounds.

Could be the coil as well.

If you could get your hands on a square wave generator you could check the CDI. Once the voltage a ground are checked the generator would be the way to bench check the CDI.

If you do need to replace MSD is OK, but I like the Daytona-Sensors CD-1. I have one in my 1973 with Pertronix and love it. Much better than Bosch and very well built and designed and not Chinese.

Daytona Sensors LLC - CD-1 Capacitive Discharge Ignition System for Racing

[spb350]

Thanks Manni and Dick for the tips, I'll check everything before I pull it out.

[spb350]

I went out and checked the wiring going to the CDI, I used my test light and grounded one end and then tested the 3 pin connector and the single wire with the ignition in the run position. I did not get any power at any of the wires. I then pulled apart the two wire connector that goes into the 3 pin and did not have any power there either. What do I need to check next? Do I have a problem with the ignition switch? Is there a way to bypass the ignition switch?

[Joe Bob]

Ingo be the man....

[john walker's workshop]

no power to the red wire with the key on indicates a disconnection of some sort upstream from the CD unit. what year is the car?

[spb350]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

no power to the red wire with the key on indicates a disconnection of some sort upstream from the CD unit. what year is the car?

Its a 76 thats pretty stock.

[spb350]

OK thanks to Dennis (Timmy2) the problem has been solved. Apparently the fuse up front (3rd from the firewall) was not sitting in the holder correctly. It was either bumped or I didn't get it seated properly the last time I put it in. The aluminum band on the fuse was not blown but it was not making good contact on both ends. I pulled it out, replaced it and I'm back on the road. He did make a very good suggestion and that was to pull them all out, clean them and the area where they sit in. Thanks to all for the suggestions