1989 Force 125 CDM Swap Woes

[bmxnate]

Hi all! Longtime lurker; first time poster.

After my motor started running rough a couple of weeks ago, I noticed some bare copper showing on one of my trigger wires. Since I had read about a couple of folks successfully swapping the Prestolite CDI system to the Mercury/Force CDM system, I decided to go that route. After receiving everything based off from the list in this post, I tested each component with my DVM and installed everything on my ignition plate. The install was super straightforward, and I really like the simplification of components. I've got a bad problem though: no spark.

I've gone through the CDI troubleshooting pdf, checked the magnets on the flywheel, tried another stator, tried an aftermarket CDM, and yet the almighty spark still eludes me. I don't have a DVA adapter, but all resistances and RMS voltages seem to indicate that there should be enough juice to produce spark.

I watched this YouTube video to aid installation, but I am left just scratching my head. Any help or suggestions would be very much appreciated!

 

[bmxnate]

After finding three different trigger DVA specs for this ignition system, I decided to try a CDI Electronics trigger. Previously, I was getting 0.45v RMS from my trigger leads. After switching to the CDI unit, I'm now getting 0.10v RMS. Regardless, I'm not getting any spark.

The CDI Electronics troubleshooting pdf says 0.2v is the DVA spec. The CDI Electronics DVA chart pdf calls for 1.0v, and the outboard ignition website has 3.0v listed as the spec. Does anyone here know the actual requirement to get these CDM units (827509) to fire?

 

[bmxnate]

I finally had some more time yesterday to further test with an actual DVA. The stator is pushing 230V+ and has 641Ω resistance. However, only one leg of the trigger is getting above 200mV while cranking. Oddly enough, when I would plug in a CDM to that lead, the trigger voltage would drop to 0. I tried a few different CDMs, but the same result happened.

At this point, I can't prove that a CDM is faulty, nor can I confidently say that the trigger isn't working. The trigger is for the '96+ 120HP and the flywheel is for the '91-'95 70-120HP. I have read posts on here saying that people have successfully used this combination, and I've read posts saying that you have to use the old trigger with the old flywheel.

At this point, I feel like trying the old ('91-'95) trigger is my best option, but it doesn't seem to have a fixed ground wire. Can someone with the '91-'95 trigger confirm that there are only four wires coming out of the housing?