EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

Hi all, new to this forum and I've been looking through it quite a bit.Lots of great stuff.



I have what I believe to be an '88 Marathon.

Numbers...
Serial: 479369
Manufacture code: E2388

I'm thinking the engine is a Robin but I can't find the numbers or nameplate anywhere on it.It has the Hitachi external starter/generator.Muffler stands up under the drivers seat.


It has no spark.I've tested the coil according to instructions I found here and it seems to check out ok.The pulser(mounted under the flywheel just above the crankshaft, two wires) however I think is shot.It was supposed to read 75 ohms between the wires but is up to around 150 ohms.Does this mean it is done for?I also find it strange that there is no magnet on the flywheel.Just these two little bumps on the inside that ride past the pulser.The pulser itself is magnetic.

And do I really have to pay $120 for this little thing?I think I'd rather drop a sled engine in there instead of shelling out and finding out that it wasn't the problem.

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

It is not the pulsar. 150 ohms is fine. If you have a meter that measures ac you can double check by connecting across the pulsar and cranking the engine. You should see ~ half a volt ac.

The most common issue is a bad ground. You should remove the three cables on the ground point on the frame and sand the frame to bare metal. Now clean the lugs on the wires and replace. You should then have a ground from the battery, one to the FNR switch and one to the engine (this one is important). Check this and if the engine still does not run we can go further.

BTW there is nothing strange on your flywheel what you describe is how it is.
Dave

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

150 is fine (my brand new OEM replacement pulsar arrived reading 164 over a year ago and has been cruisin fine since)

If your cart is an 88 (which the SN supports) it has the 244cc Robin 2PG engine, 9hp at 5k RPM (which is redline)

If your pulsar is good (which it seems) and the coil is OK, you're looking at another common issue, a bad ignitor. The bad news is there is no way to test them other than replacement (seriously - NO way) but the good news is you can replace the $100+ ignitor box with a $22 HEI module from NAPA and you'll be fine, not to mention you'll have a much stronger spark. Search "HEI Mod" here in the forums for the diagram, should take you all of about an hour to do.

Make SURE when you mount the HEI though that you grind a bare spot behind it so it mounts solidly metal-to-metal with FULL contact on the rear of the module, both for grounding and for heatsinking - when you find the HEI Mod threads you'll see that, but it's MUCHO important so I figured I'd reiterate it right away!

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

OW - my toes !!!!!!

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

Awesome, I'll be trying it tomorrow first thing.I ran this same cart around on the mountain where I live and though it's not too fast, it was fun as heck.I'll be sure and check out the HEI thing as well.

I'm hoping to get it going, put some off-road tires on the back, and maybe lift it.

Thanks so much, I'll be sure and let you know what happens.

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

Alright, I think I have a slew of things going wrong.If I hook the battery up normally and hit the accelerator to crank the engine the solenoid keeps clicking and just barely cranks it over.At this point it won't even crank anymore.Tapping the solenoid while holding the throttle down will make the starter jump a bit but that's all.Running a wire directly to the starter cranks it over just fine.

Second issue is that the reverse warning buzzer is constantly going off unless it's in neutral and the p/o mentioned it not working in reverse.I've seen that issue on this forum and it was one of the micro switches I believe.

So, is it possible that these problems are conspiring to rob my engine of life affirming spark?I've cleaned up the grounding points as instructed but that was a big EZ-NO.

Oh and Brew, that avatar you have up, that's about where I want to end up with my cart if I get it going.Looks sweet.

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

I was having the same issue. Take the coward reverse switch out and spray the heck out of it with electrical contact cleaner and a wire brush and some rags. My buzzer still goes off but it cranks every time now.

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

Ok, got some good news that happened in a roundabout way.My Father was having trouble with his GMC pickup.Has the Q-jet carb on it.So he changed over to a two barrel Rochester.

While he was doing it, he decided he didn't like the distributor and wanted to go to breaker points(which I like better myself).

Anyhow the distributor had the HEI module in it.I took it down to Auto Zombie and it tested out ok.So I printed out the diagram for the GMC HEI retrofit and very soon here hopefully I will have spark.

I'll be sure and post the results.

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

I got spark!You guys are awesome!

I wired up the HEI module just like the diagram and it works like a charm.I need to find a chunk of aluminum to mount it to and the thermo grease, a few wire extensions to make it look nice and that will be done.I didn't even try to start it up, not going to mess with that until it's properly mounted.

After that I just have to figure out why it won't crank off the pedal and I'm in buisness.

Right now I have to run jumper cables from a regular car battery to the leads on the golf cart, then another heavy wire direct from the + of the battery to the proper terminal on the starterator to crank it.Then while it's cranking you can push the throttle down and get a nice fat blue spark.Sure is nice to see a sign of life.

Thank you so very much guys.Whoever came up with this idea deserves an apple pie.

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

one option (which is what I did when I tore the barn apart for 2 days trying unsuccesfully to find a suitable chunk of aluminum for my HEI) is to grind a HEI-sized bare spot on the frame and mount it there, it provides a nice, unobtrusive mounting spot as well as sufficient heatsinking, just a thought.

Glad you're sparking :)

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

I went looking in the shop because I knew I had a chunk of copper and a chunk of aluminum from various projects.I found the aluminum and mounted it up on the frame behind the air cleaner.The wires for the pulser reached just fine, the other two I had to extend.It's a pretty tidy looking job anyhow, and works fine.Plus it's quite accessible unlike the location of the old ignitor box.

Once I had it mounted, just for kicks I put the plug in and tried to start it.I got a few pops and farts but nothing else.It's been sitting for years so I think a good going over of the carb will help.But still, now I know it will run.

I'm going to check voltage at the output side of the starter solenoid.Hopefully that's the reason it doesn't crank.Once I get it cranking off the pedal, and running I can work on that FNR switch.

Thanks kindly though, this problem is solved.I'll now begin pestering you guys in new posts that relate to the other problems I'm having.:thumbup:

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

I have a txt shutle 2+2.
no spark at all. i tested the ignition coil and there is an open circuit betwen the 2 spark plug wire.
I believe the ignition coil is dead.
am i right?
as it is a 4 cycles engines (with 2 cylinders) can I replace it with an HEI?
Impossible to find one on the net.

thanks for your help

I am desesperated and can not afford to spend 200$ on a brand new genuine ignition coil.

cheers

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

The HEI unit is not an ignition coil, it merely controls the spark.I would bet that you can replace this coil with an automotive coil but I would try and message one of the guys that has been here longer about that.

As far as testing the coil, did you use a voltmeter and test it according to factory procedure?

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

yes I test it according to the user manual. I have 3.6 Ohm between +/- wire and I have 16kOhm between spark plug wires

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

emma...,

those readings sound normal for the coil. you probaly have a bad ignitor, replace it with the 4 pin hei.

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

thanks for the tip, but what is and where is the ignitor?
sorry i feel dumb

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

believe its located next to solonoid, a small electronic box with 5 wires .

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

Ok I found it, is there a way to test it before to replace it? just to be sure this is the problem?

if not do you have some link to find HEI? I tried on google but not easy to find.

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

The next test i would do is this. Remove a spark plug,ground the case,and position so you can see the electrode.
Remove the +wire from the ignition coil. Jumpr a wire from The positive on battery to the + terminal of the coil. crank the motor, you should see a spark from your spark plug, if pulsar and ignitor are working properly. If you get a spark, then the problem lies between the ignition switch and the coil, probaly one of your micro switches. Let me know , if no spark,then we chceck pulsar,


here is a link to ebay ,where several hei are offered.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...All-Categories

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

There is no way to test the pulsar.I believe it was Brewcity who told me this, and I also looked elsewhere for methods to test it.All you can do is swap it with one that you know is good.But the HEI swap is so easy it almost does itself.All I needed was a drill, a chunk of aluminum(check your scrap metal yard), some nuts and bolts, some wire connectors, and a crimping tool.You'll also need the thermo grease of the type used on a CPU which you can get at Radio Shack.My local computer repair shop just gave me a bit in a plastic bag.

I got my HEI from my fathers junk distributor which works just fine, but you can also get them easily from a salvage yard very cheap.Grab a few of them and have Autozone test them.You don't even need the distributor.If you look for trucks that have been wrecked, you can bet they still ran.HEI should be about $5 at a junkyard compared to $18-$25 + shipping on Ebay.

Ebay is great if you can get a warrantee on the item, I just love a trip to the junkyard.

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

Good info

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

Should you get some reading on the ohm meter even if the pulsar is gone ?

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

This HEI you speak of do you have a part number I have a 1993 with the 295cc engine. I owuld like to try this but not sure what to ask for when I go to the parts store. Thanks Andy

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

I read Dales post about replacing the igniter with GM module. Followed the wiring details and works like a charm on my 4-stroke twin cylinder EZ-GO engine. Thanks Dale.

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

Hey guys. Im having a similar issue (no spark$. I recently just removed all wires from the battery to clean things up with cable wraps. Afterwards, no start. Ive checked the plugs, duses, starter generator, and carb to no avail. I'm learning about these carts but certainly no expert. Wanting to know if any of you experts are located in south Florida. Im at the point. I would like to participate just to learn but will certainly pay dor your valuable time.

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

Sorry for all the grammatical errors. Fat fingers on a phone.

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

I know this is dated, but I have a 99 txt that I would love to do the hei conversion to, but haven't found anyone that has done it with the twin cylinder Robbins engine, only the single cylinder. Do I understand your post as saying you have? If so, ANY information would be greatly appreciated!!!

Re: EZ-GO No spark, looking for pulser?
 

Do you have a picture and diagram of the new Hei? I just got a cart and getting no spark