88 marathon takes off when it starts

[armyguyelmst]

Thank you for allowing me to join firstly. Secondly I need some help obviously. I just inherited an 88 gas powered marathon. Most of the time it starts and operates fine. Occasionally when it starts it just takes off. As in goes wot and won't stop. I have checked throttle cable for smooth operation. It's fine. The spring on the carb is present and working. Someone told me about a switch under the pedal that could be a problem? The buggy won't start now because the fuel pump is bad so I've gotta get it replaced before I go too far. Could a failing fuel pump cause the runaway? I know on a 2 stroke bike running out of gas will make the rpms race. I really appreciate any help at all here. And I look forward to being a member of this forum for a long time. Thanks

[cart around]

The pedal switch activates the solenoid. It is not your problem.
There are three springs on the throttle.
Read this. http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/gas-e...djustment.html

Here is your manual.

[armyguyelmst]

Thank you. I couldn't get the pictures to load before. Looking at them now though this thing don't have the spring between the throttle arm and the cable stop. I wouldn't have thought that it would make a difference but I'll be putting one on. Thanks for the pics,link, and info

[armyguyelmst]

So I thought I should update this on what I found. Firstly the carb was misadjusted. secondly the microswitch that engages the solenoid was way out of adjustment causing the engine to keep cranking even when the pedal was released. lastly the poor engine was a complete mess along with the starter generator. engine had to be rebuilt with new cylinder and piston, starter got new brushes, installed a new microswitch and adjusted properly. adjusted the cables for the carb and found out that the governor cable was not only disconnected but gone all together. the only thing I seem to be missing now is the spring that goes between the ball stop and the arm on the throttle cable. The cart seems to be running great now with the exception that the gas pedal is touchy. its either off or wot basically. this is causing some backfire occasionally as I am driving through bumpy areas that cause my foot to open and close the throttle and switch a lot. I'm guessing the spring I'm missing acts as a sort of buffer to prevent that. (edit: after some searching, that missing spring is exactly my problem)