The CDI unit controls the pulse going to the ignition coil, which in turn creates the high voltage pulse that makes the spark plug spark.
It's basically a modern version of points and condensers, if you're familiar with older engine designs. CDI ignition has a couple big advantages over points and condensers. One is the reliability factor over the old mechanical system, there's nothing to adjust or clean, it's all solid state electronics. The other benefit is in performance, a CDI can advance or retard the spark timing based on the rpm's to get better power through the rpm range. There are actually programmable CDI units available for the 97-01 warriors that allow you to change these timing curves to increase power, throttle response, etc.
That help?
It's basically a modern version of points and condensers, if you're familiar with older engine designs. CDI ignition has a couple big advantages over points and condensers. One is the reliability factor over the old mechanical system, there's nothing to adjust or clean, it's all solid state electronics. The other benefit is in performance, a CDI can advance or retard the spark timing based on the rpm's to get better power through the rpm range. There are actually programmable CDI units available for the 97-01 warriors that allow you to change these timing curves to increase power, throttle response, etc.
That help?
