85 Columbia turning over very slowly

Captainanglin

Hi Folks,

Picked up an 85 Columbia in February with a nice frame and motor. Body was really bad. Bought a 75 Harley with a decent body and until last week I have been making one from the two. I have it all complete except some light wiring and was driving it around for a few days.

The cart ran pretty good, zipped along at 16 mph, and started pretty easily. Reverse was a hard start but it would after some cranking. It cranked much slower in reverse. The last day or two the cranking got slower and slower until it wouldn't turn the motor.

I put new brushes in the starter with no difference. Battery seemed ok with a full charge. Tried a jump with another battery with no difference. Jumped out starter direct with cables and only minor increase. Now I'm thinking starter. Took my other one and tried it with exactly the same results.

It will start if I choke it just right and get enough complete revolutions. When it does start it runs great. For the heck of it, I bought a new high amp battery today. It turns a little faster and allows it to start better but it's not nearly turning as fast as it was last week.

I checked all the somewhat similar posts and tried a lot of the tips but still not getting anywhere. By the way...it also turns slow with the belt off and it will crank fast with the plug out.

Need some input from you guys...you all have helped me a lot with other things in your posts over the last few months. The cart looks great so far and looking forward to running great also.

Thanks

BGW

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tew45

I think you have ruled out most mechanical problems. I would check all ground connections and battery (high current) connections. Use a test meter and check battery voltage while cranking then move the + lead closer to the starter and see where you are dropping voltage. There is a voltage drop somewhere between battery and starter. Possibly through the forward/reverse switch or a poor ground. This is the kind of trouble that is difficult due to remote trouble shooting. Good luck! please let us know how it comes out. Or add symptoms.

Captainanglin

Sounds like a plan to me....I think I'll try that out tonight. The part I found odd was the direct jump on both starters had the same effect. It's probably like you said, a simple grounding issue, but all the worst stuff keeps coming in your head as you're not getting anywhere.

Thanks for the tip...much appreciated

Captainanglin

The frustration continues to build...Went over all wiring and ground down everything whether it already was done or not. Did a good grounding check and still having a slow turn starter. It may be a little better now, at least barely fast enough to get it started in forward.

I get a really loud knock as it tries to fire. it is especially loud with choking. Looking closely it appears the engine is attempting to spin slightly backward at each of the knock and back forward again. This goes on a while and then it will start and run great as long as it's running. Tested compression again and found it at 90. Couldn 't do reverse since the starter won't hardly turn at all in reverse. Also put in another fresh set of points and plug today with no change in operation.

Tried to find info on what amps the starter should draw on a normal starter but came up with nothing. Would like to do an amp test yet on this starter. Would appreciate it if someone has a number.

Well....stuck but not beat yet. Going back out to punish myself a bit more! Any ideas or suggestions would be great.

Thanks

tew45

Ignition timing is probably not right

Captainanglin

Thanks...actually looking into that now. Can't figure how it could get so far off since it ran really good last week.

Captainanglin

Little confused on these Columbia timing marks. The book has a photo of two marks that are positioned an 1/8" or so to the left of the housing mark. Are these supposed to be to the left of the mark as shown or are they to be lined up with the housing mark? Not very clear to me which they are asking for.

If it is as pictured, how are the reverse marks lined up...same as the photo but to the right?

Thanks for any insight!

tew45

If you have the point ignition system it can get out in a hurry if cheap points are used. What ignition system do you have?

Captainanglin

The cheap ignition point system...they really are cheap looking.
The ones in there were new when I got the cart. I checked them today and the contacts don't even come together square. The new set I put in today don't look to be much better, just new.

Whole engine's operation controlled by a 1 dollar Chinese part...maybe I can find a good one somewhere.

tew45

there are some good points out there for not too much. I will get you the number tomorrow. there are very good instructions on this forum how to time the point system. I have explained it here many times. I even have photos on the forum. Use the search feature and find them!