G16 Intermittent spark

[1arunem]

G16 has intermittent spark. Wouldn't start (spins but motor not firing up).

Checked for spark and had intermittent spark.. As I depress pedal I get one spark as pedal is just being depressed, then it goes away. If I 'pump' pedal, I can get several sparks as pedal is just starting to be depressed each time.

I disconnected two wire plug going to engine and have continuous spark so I am assuming coil is good.

I removed gas pedal switch and ohmed. At rest I am getting a reading of 3.2
When depressing 'button' I am getting open.

I have another switch on an old parts cart and get the same results.

I also removed ignition switch, jumped wires and same result. Intermittent spark unless I pump pedal..

Ideas? Thanks!

[CP241]

I'd try and swap the ignitor if you have a spare.

Easy enough to check the coil, cap, and pickup with a meter but only way to test ignitor is to swap with a known good unit

[cgtech]

Originally Posted by CP241

I'd try and swap the ignitor if you have a spare.

Easy enough to check the coil, cap, and pickup with a meter but only way to test ignitor is to swap with a known good unit

This is clubcar talk, and total nonsense for a G16.

On a G16, the coil, pickup, and "ignitor" are all one unit at the flywheel, the only "input" it uses is a relay/circuit to "ground it out" when spark is not supposed to happen. Otherwise, if the crank is turning, it's making spark.

[cgtech]

Originally Posted by 1arunem

G16 has intermittent spark. Wouldn't start (spins but motor not firing up).

Checked for spark and had intermittent spark.. As I depress pedal I get one spark as pedal is just being depressed, then it goes away. If I 'pump' pedal, I can get several sparks as pedal is just starting to be depressed each time.

I disconnected two wire plug going to engine and have continuous spark so I am assuming coil is good.

I removed gas pedal switch and ohmed. At rest I am getting a reading of 3.2
When depressing 'button' I am getting open.

I have another switch on an old parts cart and get the same results.

I also removed ignition switch, jumped wires and same result. Intermittent spark unless I pump pedal..

Ideas? Thanks!

Near the solenoid and voltage regulator, there is a third relay, it's the one responsible for shutting down the ignition system, try swapping that one from the parts mobile.

[1arunem]

Thanks! Will check this evening and report back!

[CP241]

Originally Posted by cgtech

This is clubcar talk, and total nonsense for a G16.

On a G16, the coil, pickup, and "ignitor" are all one unit at the flywheel, the only "input" it uses is a relay/circuit to "ground it out" when spark is not supposed to happen. Otherwise, if the crank is turning, it's making spark.

Ok, that's actually set up like my club car then

I thought G16 was set up like my G9 with separate ignitor, coil, and pickup. When did Yamaha switch to an all-in-one ignition coil?

[cgtech]

1996 G16, until the FI drives all used the same TCI unit. FI uses traditional coil controlled by ECM.

[1arunem]

Ok, it wasn't the engine stop relay but you lead me in the right direction...

Long story short, this cart belongs to a friend and he recently replaced the solenoid. (Should have looked at this area first)..

When I removed the box to get to the engine stop relay, I noticed the small black wire that goes to the small ' - ' terminal on the solenoid was cut. This is the wire that goes to a plug below the solenoid. It has a partner red wire that goes to the small ' + ' term on the solenoid.

I guess when he installed the solenoid he must have pinched or otherwise damaged this wire. It was obviously hampering the circuit from completing to the relay.

I installed a new ring terminal, hooked the black wire back up and we are back up and running!

Thanks for your insight!