1984 Columbia Having engine power issues

jedmon6106

So i will start off with have been working one this cart a few years now. The problem i am having is that when running the cart there is no power going forward. Engine starts and runs fine but breaks up and has no power higher rpms. In reverse the cart runs nice and smooth. Have replaced seals, piston/rings, cylinder and new carb, along with new points and condenser. I just recently put on a new voltage regulator and still same problem. I just recently found that if i pull the DF wire off the the generator the cart runs fine. any suggestions would be great this is the last step before getting this cart out of my garage

BGW

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tew45

Try a test meter on the DF terminal and see if the generator is pulling down the voltage too much. I understand the charging circuit only runs in the forward mode. So I think the charging circuit is pulling the voltage down. Is the battery charging too much? Is the battery good? Make sure you have full voltage on the battery during charging. My answer may be a little strange but I am only familiar with older models. I still think you have a voltage loss while running forward!

jedmon6106

The Battery isn't the best so that at least gives me something to shoot for tomorrow. Will check voltages tomorrow and let you know if there are any updates. Thanks

backyard

I'd say tew has you covered. Trace the DF wire back to the regulator and make sure it isn't frayed or pinched causing a short.

73eldo

So the theory is that the generator is just taking too much mechanical power? Or electrical power so the spark is getting weak?

tew45

That is what I think, It could also be a weak ground connection in the charging circuit!

jedmon6106

Thanks for the replies. Going to check everything over next day or so. Went on nights this week and have had trouble getting motivated to go out. Will update as soon as i do.

Lochlin

That DF situation is odd.

With DF not attached, see how much voltage your generator is producing. Going by memory, I think it should be 17-18 volts or something like that. I suppose if that reading is low your charging circuit could draw enough to affect ignition. That charging circuit really should be keeping voltage out just as much as letting voltage in. Hence the regulator.

I would check the condition of your generator brushes. You also may want to pop the top off of your generator (pretty easy to do) and give the back end of those connections a visual. They all have pass through insulators on them that need to be in good shape. Look for any other kind of general funkiness too; connections being too close together, rust, etc. Also, there are 4 springs in there that hold the brushes to the generator armature. Don't worry, there is no way they can pop off unless you intend to pop them off. Those fail over time so make sure they are not corroded and working right. I wouldn't do anything other than the cap area though. Leave everything else to the professionals.

I wonder if there is a short or some other problem in the starter / gen itself that the DF connection is causing when connected thus robbing your ignition voltage. In other words, it's not that the charging circuit is doing anything wrong but that the physical DF connection is fouling things out. I don't know, just a theory. The "under the cap" inspection would probably reveal it.

I may be well off base here too. I am just tossing some ideas out there.

jedmon6106

Ok thanks for replies. i did a little testing today with a good battery. With the DF connection unhooked and the motor running high rpm i am getting just under 12 volts and occasional it drops to 8 and then back up. mostly in the 11.8 volt range. From the sounds of i might be having a generator issue? Guess i will try taking the cap off and inspecting it next

backyard

Under high rpm and just under 12 volts (say 11.5v, 11v or even 10v) could be considered normal without a charge. A quick drop in voltage down to 8v and right back up does not sound right to me. The only thing that should be using electricity would be the coil or ignition circuit. Sounds like a shorted battery, coil, condensor or even generator since the other wires are still hooked to the generator.