XS400 CDI

Kumeran

1980 Yamaha XS400 special
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Hi Guys

I recently puchased a XS400 I got it at a good price out here in South Africa and I want to build a cafe racer out of it. At the moment it has a CDI problem, is there a upgrade for the orginal or one that is compatable with the XS
 
Welcome to the forum!

Unfortunately, there is no simple replacement for the TDI ignition module that I know of. There are a lot of threads on here and on the xs650.com board that discuss these ignition modules though. I can suggest a few things that you might do:
1. Search for and read the threads on visually inspecting the TDI module you have. Folks have had some luck with reflowing old solder joints and replacing obviously burned-up components that have gone bad over time.
2. Start looking around for a good used module to buy and try out.
3. There are a few threads about folks searching for modules used on other bikes that might be retrofitted, but those all seem to end with no resolution. They are good reading though as it might give you some ideas.
4. If nothing else works out, you can try buying the used parts and installing the points type ignition from an older model bike. This might be a bit involved, but you will get a running bike.

Let us know how you make out as we all can learn even if things don't work out on the first go.
 
OK update I found a guy out here in South Africa that repair ECU boxes and it seems my TCI was definitely burnt he is currently fixing it I'm just concerned as to what caused it burn out
 
@Kumeran - thanks for the update on the TCI. It is great news that you have a resource that can fix this. If you get any other specific info on what he repaired, please let us know.

Regarding what caused your issue, it will be hard to tell. I suspect it will be either vibration, a voltage spike from a intermittent connection or the charging system (you said that the TCI was burnt, so you may want to immediately check the charging system for proper voltage regulation once you get the bike running), of just a weak component that just went bad.
 
@Kumeran - thanks for the followup with the details! It may help others in dealing with their own TCIs in the future (maybe me as I haven't tried the TCI in my bike yet.) The more information we have of how to troubleshoot and repair these no longer available items the better.
 
What I want to do next is to find someone to remake the unit with new technology as it simply a circuit board that instructs the spark
 
In South Africa we have something called a Dicktator management system that you can programme to set the spark
 
Looks interesting. Ignitech and PowerArc ignitions can also be programmed for different ignition curves. Microsquirt as well but that's a black hole some never come back from.
 
I managed to have a chat with the company that manufactures the system and they have indicated its very doable but it's not cheap I will look into it as soon as the bike is complete
 
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