| Go Kart Ignition System Repair | | | | respect that as well. |
| Last time we went through the steps of diagnosing the | | | | To place the new magneto in place, fold a sheet of |
| faulty ignition system. We first tested for: | | | | paper in half so it is two pages thick or even three |
| - Gas | | | | pages. Then place the paper between the flywheel |
| - The switch was on | | | | and the magneto. This will create the necessary gap |
| - Plenty of Compression | | | | for good ignition. If the gap is too large, then the spark |
| - Spark. | | | | may be weak. Too close and you will damage the coil |
| We discovered that the culprit was no spark. We also | | | | and the flywheel. |
| determined that the "No Spark" was coming from the | | | | You can rotate the engine so that the magnet attracts |
| ignition system, not clogged spark plugs or things like | | | | the magneto. Then tighten. Or your can just press |
| that. For whatever reason, the ignition system was not | | | | down lightly on the magneto (so the paper , the |
| putting out. | | | | magneto and the flywheel are compressing together) |
| We also determined that the shutdown system (the | | | | and tighten as well. Either method works fine. |
| on-off circuitry) was not the problem. | | | | I prefer, however, pressing the magneto down, |
| So our next step was to look at the key that lines up | | | | because the magnet can attract more than I like and |
| the flywheel to the coil. Actually, with the solid state | | | | actually get the clearance between the flywheel and |
| ignition, you should still get spark, but just at a different | | | | the magnet a little too close. |
| starting point in the cycle. Either advanced or retarded. | | | | The first thing you want to make sure is that the |
| So the real culprit is the non-firing coil. | | | | Magneto is working. I like to just have the spark plug sit |
| So what do you do? There are two options: find a | | | | on the head and then spin the engine over. If there is |
| similar engine that is sitting around and take its | | | | spark, then the system is working properly. |
| Magneto (coil), or buy a new Magneto. | | | | Put it all back together! |
| Most people don't have engines sitting around, so | | | | Test run it! |
| buying is the next best thing. | | | | Bottom line is that ignition is the first step in in testing |
| Be prepared to pay $50+ for a Magneto. Also, it is | | | | why an engine is not running. Always check the |
| handy to bring in the blower cover to the shop to let | | | | electrical side of the engine first, then start digging |
| the tech read the correct Model and Serial Number. | | | | deeping in the diagnosis of the engine problem. |
| In any case, be sure to get the correct Model Number | | | | Our main problem was an engine not running, there |
| and Serial Number for your engine. Also they will treat | | | | could have been other issues such as no fuel, bad |
| you better if you have these numbers before asking | | | | valves or even a blown rod. |
| for the part. Call the part the correct name and they | | | | |