CDI switchbox question

[dakk1]

1985 Mercury 150hp XR2<br /><br />Connected 2 new switchboxes today just before dark. Big test coming tomorrow. LOL. My question:<br />These new CDI boxes have a terminal for ground that my OEM boxes does not have. They have the ground wire coming out of the bottom of the boxes. I know where those go. If understand what I'm reading this terminal is a ground to coils on some models. My coils ground at the back of the engine. So, this is not needed in my application. Is that right? At $135 each just want to cover all the bases. Thanks.<br /><br />Dave..

 

[achris]

Re: CDI switchbox question

Dave,<br /><br />Run those ground wires from the switchboxes to a solid ground point on the engine block.<br /><br />Chris............<br /><br />P.S. Hope this isn't a 'meaningless post'.

 

[dakk1]

Re: CDI switchbox question

Thanks Chris.<br /><br />Don't worry about 'meaningless posts'. There are a couple of dozen regular contributors on this site that know there stuff. You're one of 'em. Then there's the rest of us. LOL.<br /><br />Dave..

 

[KCLOST]

Re: CDI switchbox question

There should be a ground connection just below the boxes that you can easily reach with the lead attached to the boxes...

 

[KCLOST]

Re: CDI switchbox question

I believe that the CDI boxes have a permanently attached ground wire while the old mercury's have a jumper that is attached with a nut...<br /><br />Maybe those were not attached as they should have been... Ungrounded switchboxes can lead to possible damage....

 

[dakk1]

Re: CDI switchbox question

Thanks KCLOST<br /><br />You are right. The CDI boxes do have a permanently attached ground wire as opposed to the old merc boxes. But, in addition to those, there is a stud on the box for a ground. Just like the ones that the trigger wires and inputs to the coils attach to. I don't think I need that one. At least, all of my wires have a home if you know what I mean. I guess it wouldn't hurt to run a ground from those also. A sort of double ground if you will. LOL. I can use the old ground wires off the mercs.<br /><br />Dave..

 

[Laotzu]

Re: CDI switchbox question

You know Dave, when I have a problem I will take all the advice I can get. There are "experts" on this forum who ridicule some well meaning people who are only trying to help and to relate what they have found with a similiar problem to the poster. Comments like "meaningless" is one of these pompous "look how much I know comments". Advice I got from one of the experts here that my problem was the switchbox when in fact I found out it was a dirty carb. Cost me $180 but I didn't come back and ridicule the "expert" for some bad advice. The advice is free and everyone makes mistakes. Some of the best advice I ever got was from my mom who had a 4th grade education.<br /><br />Jerry

 

[dakk1]

Re: CDI switchbox question

Jerry<br /><br />I agree wholeheartedly. Any and all advice offered to me is greatly appreciated. Sometimes, in a forum like this, written words don't come across so well. When you can't look in a persons eyes or hear the tone of their voice,<br />misinterpretations can occur. I try not to take offense at anyone but I have been ticked off on occassion. I keep it to myself. I, like you I imagine, am here to learn and help those I can. The only people that can't learn anything are the ones that know it all. One of my favorite quotes: " I don't know all the answers, I don't even know all the questions."<br /><br />Dave..

 

[Laotzu]

Re: CDI switchbox question

Dave, the only reason I mentioned it is that in the 3 years I have been on the forum (I used to have a dfferent handle and lost it when I changed computers)I have never seen this kind of dissing until recently. Too many experts think us amateurs don't know anything and are just "blowing smoke" as several guys put it. I've been working on cars for 52 years, my boat motor only 3, but the basic workings are similiar,electric, fuel, etc. The switchbox/carb solution I mentioned was solved for me by a new boat owner who had the same problem and was kind enough to post it after first going through all the things I tried.<br /><br />Jerry

 

[achris]

Re: CDI switchbox question

Maybe I should clear this up. The 'meaningless' comment was in reference to another thread I was commenting in. The disscussion was starting to ramble and another poster made comment about 'meaningless posts'. His post was immediately after one of mine and my sarcasm took over and spilled into this thread. My apologies to anyone offended by my comment. <br /><br />Jerry,<br /><br />I agree with you about advise from all, but there has been a few people who profess to 'know it all', when in fact they know less than very little. I have seen some 'advise' that is downright dangerous, to both engine and operator. Sometimes the more knowledgable contributors (Bondo, DonS, Clams, Rodbolt, to name but a few) on this forum get a bit tired of 'lounge-chair' experts who jump in with information that is straight out wrong.<br /><br />Chris...................

 

[Laotzu]

Re: CDI switchbox question

Chris, sorry if it looked like I was jumping on you. I was just concerned that maybe some good advice might not get on here if people are afraid of being ridiculed.<br /><br />Jerry

 

[achris]

Re: CDI switchbox question

Originally posted by Laotzu:<br /> Chris, sorry if it looked like I was jumping on you. I was just concerned that maybe some good advice might not get on here if people are afraid of being ridiculed.<br /><br />Jerry

Thanks Jerry, no problem.

 

[KCLOST]

Re: CDI switchbox question

Achris,<br /><br />I agree with you also.... wholehaeartedly....<br />But also realize that "none" of us are perfect... That is what is so great about this forum... I believe it allows ideas to be thrown out there from multiple perspectives.. Obviously there are members on this forum who are more knowledgeable about motors as others... But there are also others who may have had next to little experience that have a valid solution to a problem being posted...<br /><br />I have been posting on this forum for over three years. My specialty is v6 Black Max motors.<br />I just hope to help people and maybe learn something new myself... I've made incorrect diagnoses/statements but always try to correct myself and admit error if and when I realize my mistake...<br /><br />We all need to do that... Including you..<br />(no attack, just a nudge about the poppet thing)<br />Still waiting for that schematic or apology .. <br /><br />Don't kill me for this...

 

[achris]

Re: CDI switchbox question

KCLOST,<br /><br />Death will be swift <br /><br />You'll have to wait a little longer, I'm still in Russia.<br /><br />Chris............

 

[KCLOST]

Re: CDI switchbox question

LOL.... <br /><br />I'll be here, take care of yourself whatever you are doing up there...