Varitronic/cdi fault?

[Cheersdude]

More annoyingly I put everything back together before testing it. Stupid question time, would changing just the stator make that much difference? I didn't move or remove the backplate from the mag housing. I'm going to strip it down again tonight, and I'd like to sort it myself. So expect more stupid questions!

[rossclark]

Does it only fit one way?

Is it possible you could have put it on the wrong way?

[johnnyXS]

Stupid question time, would changing just the stator make that much difference?!

yes its not a stupid question at all.

All 2x strokes are able to run backwards just as easily as they run forwards. its just a question of where the timing is set and where the mixture ignites. Thats how they enable some 2x stroke 3x wheelers to have a reverse gear .Theoretically you can have all 4x gears in reverse and the same top speed as forwards

I would suggest that either you have the wrong stator or somehow you have got the timing way out .

[Wack]

Interestingly I fitted new coils last weekend without removing the plate. I didn't strobe it as I replaced it a few years ago , again by the same method as it was playing up. I'd like to thank Captain Pugwash for rewiring it and converting it to run DC with a Wassel regulator as it is spot on. The coils will only really fit one way with the wiring coming out of the backplates' cut out .

[Cheersdude]

Here's the one I took out


Here's the new one


Think I've fitted it correctly? Would I been able to check the timing without a strobe gun?

[Wack]

Looks ok to me, but you really need to strobe it. Looks quite retarded at the moment.

[Cheersdude]

Cheers Wack. I've just ordered up a strobe gun and timing disc, so I'll have a play when they arrive.

[Cheersdude]

I emailed camlam over the weekend and here's their response:-

if the engine is running backwards then you must have the positive and the earth terminals connected the wrong way round on your coil, so just swap them around and then try again...

Really that simple ?

[Wack]

Strange answer, have you checked?

[Cheersdude]

Not yet. Gonna give it a go this evening.

[johnnyXS]

I would be surprised if the varitronic worked at all with the polarity reversed. however the coil should work the whichever way round its connected (although the spark is stronger with the correct polarity,) although I cannot see how that could effect engine reversal


Looking at the centre coil plate I see that it has 2x bolt fixings to the stator plate. Is there any chance that the coil plate has been put on upside down ? Not sure if it would make a difference.

The o nly way I can see you resolving this is to check that you have TDC marked correctly and then check the advance curve with a timing light .
Its beginning to look like a faulty Varitronic unit.

[Cheersdude]

I swap the blue and the red/black over. Turned on the ignition and nothing. Normally ,because I have a battery the lights and speedo etc. light up. Now I'm not sure if this is a result of swapping the wires or the battery is just dead, and it's a coincidence?? Anyway took the plug out and held it to the frame and no spark on kick over.
Swapped wires back and check for a spark, and had one. Got it started but still running backwards and now no lights or speedo. I removed the battery and put it on charge before starting but lights should still work when the engine was running, as they did before. Battery is purely a back up. The lights not working maybe just another coincidence!

[Cheersdude]

Just been thinking about the lights, could I have fried the regulator/rectifier?

[Wack]

The regulator only trickle charges the battery but providing the stator connections are right you should get AC out. I presume you must run your lights direct from the battery if they come on without the motor running?

[Cheersdude]

I'm currently running all led lights off the dc. I have the option to run the headlight on ac and have in the past using a 65/55w bulb, With no issues. I know I would be better off doing a wassel conversion than running everything off the dc output of the regulator. but didn't think it was possible with a varitronic.

Update.
Reconnected the battery this morning and lights are back. There maybe a problem with the dc output of the reg/rectifier. Once I get the stator sorted this will be my next job.

[Wack]

Just had mine rewired to run a Wassel and seems fine so far.

[Cheersdude]

Sidetrack off the main issue, but found this http://scooterotica.org/forum/viewtopic ... conversion
Doesn't look to complicated. Is the same principle for a varitronic?

[Captain Pugwash]

Sidetrack off the main issue, but found this http://scooterotica.org/forum/viewtopic ... conversion
Doesn't look to complicated. Is the same principle for a varitronic?

Yes pretty much it's the same principle, just a little bit more to it.

Wack is the test pilot for this conversion, so maybe it's best to address any questions about "Wassle type conversion on a Variatronic" direct to Wack himself and then we're not hijacking anyone else's thread.


Cheers Mark.

[Cheersdude]

Problem sorted...well all most. My inability to follow simple instructions was the reason for my engine running backwards. I must have misconnected live and Earth on the cdi when changing the stator. When I swapped them over I only swapped live and earth from the stator but none of the other wires. I put thing back to how they were when the problem started, and swapped all the wires over. It started first kick and running the correct way. Now I just need to sort the dc side of things. I have ac from the stator, so I'm hoping its just a loose connection.