83 Marathon. Intermittent spark.

[Race Chaser]

I have a 83 Gas Marathon. Over the last several months, my cart has had a problem with what looks to me like intermittent spark. Most times when I get in it and hit the gas pedal, it starts and runs like a champ......but, on rare occasion, I get in and hit the gas pedal and it turns over good, but doesn't start. I've taken the spark plug out, turn the engine over, and the spark plug has no spark. It seems if I let it sit for a while, it will start.

Any help is appreciated......

[1fast67]

sounds like the coil to me. i know you can test it but im not sure what the ranges are.

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[RSP]

If that engine has points, points will do that

[1fast67]

i forgot about the points. 83 must've been the last year for them.

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[Race Chaser]

Thanks for the replies. I thought about the coil, but didn't want to shell out the $$ and I don't know how to test it. I'm not sure if it has points or not.

[Dave Box]

Your cart does not have points, they were out of there in 1980. These carts do however suffer from grounding issues. If you follow the battery negative lead to the chassis you will find the ground point on the frame. You should remove the cables and clean the chassis to bare metal, also clean the cable lugs. Make sure that the strap from the ground point to the engine block is there and in good condition. If that does not fix it then I would pull appart the connector from the pulsar to the ignitor (it has a blue and a red wire) and clean that with a shot of WD40. If you still have issues shout out and we will go further.

Dave

[Race Chaser]

Originally Posted by Dave Box

Your cart does not have points, they were out of there in 1980. These carts do however suffer from grounding issues. If you follow the battery negative lead to the chassis you will find the ground point on the frame. You should remove the cables and clean the chassis to bare metal, also clean the cable lugs. Make sure that the strap from the ground point to the engine block is there and in good condition. If that does not fix it then I would pull appart the connector from the pulsar to the ignitor (it has a blue and a red wire) and clean that with a shot of WD40. If you still have issues shout out and we will go further.

Dave

Thanks Dave. I have cleaned the ground connection to the chassis in the past (and will do it again when I get home)......but, there is no ground cable from the frame where the battery is conected to to the engine. You're saying there should be? Can I use any old piece of 14 or 16 guage wire to run a ground? Or do I need a larger piece. Thanks again.

[racin161]

That ground strap is the large braided type which you would see a a ground strap like the old 6 volt cars but I suppose you could use a battery cable with 2 eyelets one from the tab to one of the fan housing bolts K

LOU

[1fast67]

i have a braided strap from the fan housing to the frame and the negative battery cable grounded to my solenoid bracket. hopefully i have enough grounds.


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[Race Chaser]

Originally Posted by 1fast67

i have a braided strap from the fan housing to the frame and the negative battery cable grounded to my solenoid bracket. hopefully i have enough grounds.


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Originally Posted by racin161

That ground strap is the large braided type which you would see a a ground strap like the old 6 volt cars but I suppose you could use a battery cable with 2 eyelets one from the tab to one of the fan housing bolts K

LOU

Thanks. I was thinking I would probably need some heavy braided cable. I will pick some up and give that a try.