Blue vs Black CDI boxes

[pastorbud]

So, my 1987 Force 125 HP needs a CDI box replaced, My boxes are black, and a local guy has a Craigslist ad up selling some CDI boxes. He had some of the black ones (F653301-1) and some of the blue ones (F685301-2). He says the blue ones will work on a 1987 125 HP if you wire them right. Anybody know the difference? If they can be used, how are the wires run?

 

[achris]

Don't you know, blue is the new black... :lol:

 

[jerryjerry05]

You sure you tested it right?
I'd hate to see you buy something you don't need???
outboard ignition . com has test procedures.

Nope the Black is the new blue!!
Blue is the original.
Black came later.
They should both have the same color coded wires.
They say you shouldn't mix the black with the blue???? I've seen both working and no problems.
Never tried it with mine?
Mine are all black.

You should have a wiring diagram pasted someplace on the top of the motor.
One thing!!!!! Replace all the wire connectors on all the parts,trigger/stator and packs.
They can seem good but under the shrink wrap the connection can be bad.

 

[pastorbud]

Yep, I already replaced all the connectors. #1 cylinder is not firing. When I swap the wiring, the failure "follows" the swap. Thanks!.

 

[Steverino74]

If it's only one cyl not firing, would that not be the coil?

 

[achris]

If he has swapped the power pack from one side to the other and the fault moved with the pack, that would be pretty conclusive to me...

 

[Jiggz]

And yes, it is not impossible to have one ckt of the CDM (has dual separate ckt) to go bad on its own.

 

[pastorbud]

Plus, if you tap on the bottom of the forward CDI (which drives the #1 cylinder) with the motor working, the spark comes back to life briefly. There's a bad solder or a broken component leg in there somewhere.

 

[NYBo]

The blue CDI boxes have mating connectors for blue coils; same for black. But you can't connect blue to black using the factory connectors; the genders of the connectors are reversed between the colors.

 

[pastorbud]

Thanks. I'll watch for that.