79 Drifter 340 CDI

[forcast23]

Hello all, I'm a new kawasaki owner and new to the site.

I just purchased a 79 Drifter 340 which ran when I picked it up, but since was temperamental to start and after trailering it out to the lake had no spark. I have been trying to troubleshoot the ignition, but can't find any details on a 340 drifter with CDI. The block tag reads TA340A-C201. Is anyone familiar with this engine?

Thanks for any help.

[Interceptor398]

Welcome to the site!  Make sure you have no water in the gas, owners manual suggests "Heet' gas line anti freeze with each gas fill up.  Check all the connections before you start taking things apart.  Your Drifter has points so it may be time to pull the flywheel if all your connections are good and the coil checks OK.  Good Luck!

[dr1979-340]

I too have a 1979 340 Drifter. 

I had a similar situation with mine.  After fixing it up and running it for a little while, I lost spark in one cylinder.

Are you sure you have a 1979 340?  The CDI was used on the 1979 440.

In my case it turned out to be a bad condenser.

[forcast23]

I guess I will just have to use the 440 specs to test it out. I have a couple pictures of what it is. Any one know what cdi parts would fit it?

[dr1979-340]

According to what I've seen the 1979 had a TA340A-C201.  See this link:  http://www.karlsvintagesleds.com/kawasaki1.html

That being said, I am not an expert.  The parts list for the 1980 340 Drifter looks more like yours.  The spark plug caps are different from 1979 to 1980.  See attachment.

I use the 1980 parts list for searching for parts.  They used Sno-Jet part numbers in the 1979 parts list and then Kawasaki part number in the 1980 parts list.  I've found had more luck searching by the kawasaki part numbers.  They used a lot of the same parts from 1979-1980 if you compare the two.

What is mfg date on the side of the tunnel?  Remember, it's hard to know what the last guy did to it before you owned it.

In the picture of mine, someone added another voltage regulator and mounted it on there.  I have since removed it.

[forcast23]

That's a nice clean sled you have there!!!

It's definitely a cdi ignition on mine, it has the single coil with 2 blue wires and one brown that go right to the cdi box. Since I have no idea what it is it will be hard to get parts for, hopefully I get lucky and it's a bad ground or something.

I checked the tunnel and the mag date is 8/78
product code is SA 340 A-C 201
market code is SA 340-A 3

Maybe this thing should have a couple bolts sticking out of the hood for the lightning.....that would get it sparking

[forcast23]

So I have it narrowed down to the cdi which is a common one for the 440. It's a kimpex 01 143 20. If I pull the engine over and someone turns the key on and off I get one nice spark each time the key is turned. My question now is do I order a new kimpex for 50-60, a used OEM for 50-60, or new old stock for 150? I'm leaning to the used OEM, anyone having luck with kimpex or any thoughts?

Thanks

[dr1979-340]

Thanks.  Here is the before picture.

Kawasaki part number 21119-3001.  Here is a link for an OEM replacement.  You could probably source it from another company as well.

http://www.mfgsupply.com/snowmobile/snowel/snowcdi/snowkawcdi.html

[forcast23]

Looks like you put a lot of work into that and it shows!

So I ordered a replacement kimpex and it was shipped from kimpex, but the size is different. The unit is about 1/4 inch shorter and will have to be modified to bolt on. The connectors and pin out look like a match. I havn't been able to find anything online about the size, has anyone else had this issue? Its a 01-143-20 cdi. I'm itching to ride this before the snow melts I just don't want to waste the money if the  cdi will not work.

[forcast23]

I made a bracket out of some aluminum I had sitting around and mounted the cdi. The wiring matched up perfectly and it only took minutes to install it. It's got a nice bright spark now and stared on the first pull for the first time since I've had it. Hopefully I will have it out tomorrow!