500cc sled engine

[Deadeye]

So I just bought a '79 Artic Cat Pantera 5000. It has good compression. The carb is reasonably clean, and the spark plugs are new. However, when I yank the cord, there is no spark at the plugs. The headlight does light up a little though. I have a feeling it could be the CDI. But they aren't cheap, and I don't know what years to look for at the junkyard that will fit my engine.

So basically I'm asking you guys for help. I'd like to know what to check before I rule everything else out and buy another CDI. I should add, that most electrical terminology confuses the hell out of my pea brain. So if you could dumb it down slightly, that would be cool.

Thanks

 

[OzFab]

Is there a kill switch? If so is it set to run? Or it could be faulty

I know, silly question, but you never know

 

[Deadeye]

For some reason, the guy it from said they were known to go bad so he bypassed it. The 2 wires are now just twisted together. I tried to start it with the wires apart, still no spark at the plugs.

 

[anderkart]

There's some good info about bypassing your throttle safety switch and kill switch in this thread:
http://www.arcticchat.com/forum/vintage-1992-older/291116-1979-pantera-no-spark-when-hot.html

 

[Jake.B]

Im not to sharp on electric, but if the wires that are connected for bypassing are grounded out it wont spark correct? I would make sure they are not grounded.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Deadeye- Are your sure it's a CDI? Maybe it's a breaker points/mag system?

 

[rifkin]

Post this over at http://www.snowmobileforum.com/ no offense to people here but that is a dedicated forum with a lot of very knowledgeable people when it comes to sleds

 

[Deadeye]

Deadeye- Are your sure it's a CDI? Maybe it's a breaker points/mag system?

When I look at an engine diagram for a 79 pantera 500 it shows where the CDI box is. Right where mine is on my sled.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

When I look at an engine diagram for a 79 pantera 500 it shows where the CDI box is. Right where mine is on my sled.

Fair enough!

 

[Bluethunder3320]

id look for any wiring that could be faulty or weathered... i had a Kawasaki 3 wheeler and i (thought) i disconnected the kill switch, but it wasnt, i plugged it back in and i had spark.

also the actual spark plug wire was cracked so i replaced that from a lawn mower, it worked.

 

[Deadeye]

I am still looking for the problem. No luck so far. I need to have some one come look at it who knows wiring and such.