Possible to install coil Backward on FE290

rockfordpi · 01-21-2019, 10:32 PM

Final update on the ongoing saga of my FE290. First no compression. Rebuilt engine, then good compression. Next, inadequate fire from TWO NEW aftermarket coils. Both coils stopped firing after a few revs.

Put a THIRD new coil on, SAME problem. Reversed the orientation of the coil (front to back, not up and down, LOL) did not even set the air gap, and the cart started and ran fine.

Ok, feel like this is a stupid question, but can you install a coil one the FE290 backward? I did a lot of Go Cart engines in my youth, I do not recall the orientation of the coil ever mattering (but that was circa 45 years ago, so I may have just forgotten). Also, I saw no markings or instructions to indicate a certain orientation and so I put the coil back on same way it came off (though cart had been worked on before me).

I am guessing the spark completes the circuit back to the coil via the block?

Regardless, cart is running fine now, just ordered new Body, seats, and top for it. Thanks to all for the much needed advice as I rarely mess with gas carts and everyone here was a big help.

Skoal82 · 01-22-2019, 01:12 AM

My only guess is maybe you have a coil from the opposite rotation your engine is.
I think club car reversed engine rotation in 1997. Not sure what year your engine is or which coil you have, but that may be the problem.
Maybe post what year your cart is and the coil # you used.

rockfordpi · 01-22-2019, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skoal82

My only guess is maybe you have a coil from the opposite rotation your engine is.
I think club car reversed engine rotation in 1997. Not sure what year your engine is or which coil you have, but that may be the problem.
Maybe post what year your cart is and the coil # you used.

cart was 1999 model and I ordered the coil several here said was correct one. It was one with built in igniter

Fairtax4me · 01-22-2019, 10:06 AM

I don’t think direction matters as long as the wire reaches, but the coil does need to ground to the block. Maybe a bad connection between coil and block? Can’t really say. Glad you finally got it running!

Skoal82 · 01-22-2019, 10:26 AM

Well then no idea over here. Glad it works for you.

rockfordpi · 01-22-2019, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairtax4me

I don’t think direction matters as long as the wire reaches, but the coil does need to ground to the block. Maybe a bad connection between coil and block? Can’t really say. Glad you finally got it running!

I think that may be the issue some how. I am guessing the plug grounds to head and head grounds to block via head bolts and then coil mounting bolts ground to block to complete the circuit.

I wonder if BOTH coil mounting bolts ground the coil to block or just one.

Anyway, just thinking at loud, I would like to know the "why", but cart is running so probably will just let it go and be happy.

01-21-2019, 10:32 PM	#1
rockfordpi Gone Wild Join Date: May 2016 Location: Central Alabama Posts: 1,048	Possible to install coil Backward on FE290 Final update on the ongoing saga of my FE290. First no compression. Rebuilt engine, then good compression. Next, inadequate fire from TWO NEW aftermarket coils. Both coils stopped firing after a few revs. Put a THIRD new coil on, SAME problem. Reversed the orientation of the coil (front to back, not up and down, LOL) did not even set the air gap, and the cart started and ran fine. Ok, feel like this is a stupid question, but can you install a coil one the FE290 backward? I did a lot of Go Cart engines in my youth, I do not recall the orientation of the coil ever mattering (but that was circa 45 years ago, so I may have just forgotten). Also, I saw no markings or instructions to indicate a certain orientation and so I put the coil back on same way it came off (though cart had been worked on before me). I am guessing the spark completes the circuit back to the coil via the block? Regardless, cart is running fine now, just ordered new Body, seats, and top for it. Thanks to all for the much needed advice as I rarely mess with gas carts and everyone here was a big help.

01-22-2019, 01:12 AM	#2
Skoal82 Gone Wild Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Central mn Posts: 1,036	Re: Possible to install coil Backward on FE290 My only guess is maybe you have a coil from the opposite rotation your engine is. I think club car reversed engine rotation in 1997. Not sure what year your engine is or which coil you have, but that may be the problem. Maybe post what year your cart is and the coil # you used.

01-22-2019, 10:06 AM	#4
Fairtax4me Bonafide Nincompoop Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Charlottesburg Va Posts: 8,987	Re: Possible to install coil Backward on FE290 I don’t think direction matters as long as the wire reaches, but the coil does need to ground to the block. Maybe a bad connection between coil and block? Can’t really say. Glad you finally got it running!

01-22-2019, 10:26 AM	#5
Skoal82 Gone Wild Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Central mn Posts: 1,036	Re: Possible to install coil Backward on FE290 Well then no idea over here. Glad it works for you.

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