Probably Another Stupid 200ES Question

[Chazz of Blades]

Dumb, but does the CDI effect the electric start? As in does feedback from the cdi effect the starter turning over? I replaced the CDI on my 200es with one off another, and now suddenly my starter won't even fidget. Lights dim when the button is pressed as usual, no wiring issues to the button, and the starter hasn't given me a single hint of trouble before. It's not a battery issue either. On the plug on the harness I see two little slants underneath the main square terminals, and nothing on the new CDI for them to go into.

The old CDI was 'lost' during a rearranging and I've spent hours looking for it to no avail, so I don't have anything to compare to.

[kb0nly]

Nope... The only thing that controls the electric start is the interlock relay and the starter relay on the back of the battery box. Make sure its in neutral and you should crank. My 84 200ES will crank without the CDI even connected, i know this from chasing down an ignition problem and cranking it while testing wiring and voltages, etc.

The CDI is a very simple five wire unit on the 200ES, i replaced mine with a cheap CDI from eBay for $8, no joke its just that cheap.

"On the plug on the harness I see two little slants underneath the main square terminals, and nothing on the new CDI for them to go into. "

Not sure what your describing here. The CDI plug is a round connector on the 200ES with six contacts. I removed the round plug on mine and installed the newer style square plug to put on the aftermarket CDI. Runs like a champ now!