CDI Install Trouble

Encountering a problem installing a Mallory HyFire VIA CDI into a '74 standard beetle with points and a stock dual-vacuum dist.

When turning the ignition to 'on' (engine not started), the LED blinks twice (not sure what that code means) and there is no 'singing' from the box (normal?). The engine turns over somewhat reluctantly and the LED blinks, but if gas is not given, the car will not idle (gets harder to keep idling the longer the engine is left running). Originally had the plugs gapped to .40, but set them back to .24. Didn't make a difference.

The wires appear to be setup correctly. Twelve-gauge wire is running from the negative and positive battery terminals to the thicker gauged black and red wires in the unit. The orange wire is routed to the positive side of the coil, and the smaller black to the negative. The white is attached to the wire going to the points, and the key-on ignition wire is attached to the small red wire.

Have new mag-plus wires and a bosch blue coil. Plugs are new bosch supers.

What do you guys think?

Reply to
karatekid
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the blinking is in the manual. You need to re-time the engine when connecting a CDI.

John Aircooled.Net Inc.

Reply to
John Connolly

Thanks. Bought the unit from a friend, so I don't have the manual available (did flip the switch to 4cyl mode per his advice though). Forgot to mention earlier; the rotor was replaced with the resistorless one offered on your site.

Not sure why the timing would change with the CDI in. Doesn't it just increase the voltage of the coil? Currently timed at 7.5btdc (at least statically).

Also, have read a bunch of posts about the noise generated by CDIs, but don't seem to hear anything with mine. Is this typical of the Mallory units?

Reply to
karatekid

the newer CDIs use a MOSFET which is above the frequency range humans hear at, that's why they are quiet and the older ones "whine".

The timing changes because you have a lot of circuitry to go thru; typically it's retarded a bunch.

John Aircooled.Net Inc.

Reply to
John Connolly

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