Starts great, runs great, then dies

CAPTAINASU · 05-06-2015, 10:11 AM

I have done several searches but I can seem to find anything that addresses the problem I am experiencing. My Marathon starts right up even after weeks, or months, of being parked. Once started it runs great about 3 out of 4 times.

The other time it starts and runs great but with sometimes die while running as if the key has been turned off. No misfire, sputtering, etc. just flat dead. Once I come to a stop I turn the key off and on a couple of times and take in in out out of gear and it usually starts right back up with no problem.

I'm 99% sure this is an electrical bug somewhere but nothing is obvious when's check connections or grounds. Anyone have suggestions on where to start when chasing down this issue?

sccowboy · 05-06-2015, 12:37 PM

I seem to remember someone had a similar problem and it ended up being the key switch.

CAPTAINASU · 05-06-2015, 02:42 PM

I'll start there and let you know what I find

Thanks

sccowboy · 05-06-2015, 04:36 PM

One other thought, when it does that, does the starter still engage or is it completely dead. If its dead it could also point to a bad solenoid.

racin161 · 05-07-2015, 07:22 AM

Try dirty forward/reverse switch

Spray cleaner on the contacts move it forward/reverse several times. You may have to repeat a few times.

LOU

Jeff Duncan · 05-07-2015, 08:56 AM

I have a similar problem; runs for a few minutes at WOT and dies, next time less time, on and on but will sputter and backfire too.

I'm no mechanic and where I'm form in Canada there's few with experience with these.

Good luck.

nobuckbuild · 05-07-2015, 09:39 AM

check the wire connectors on the coil and from the pulsar coil , common corrosion issue will take out spark at random and come right back

sccowboy · 05-07-2015, 01:50 PM

Maybe this will help you:

sccowboy · 05-07-2015, 01:52 PM

Or this one which is from the mid 80s:

cart around · 05-07-2015, 01:55 PM

Looks like this thread is dealing with two different carts, and we still have no idea if we are dealing with 2 strokes, or 4 strokes.

05-06-2015, 10:11 AM	#1
CAPTAINASU Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 18	Starts great, runs great, then dies I have done several searches but I can seem to find anything that addresses the problem I am experiencing. My Marathon starts right up even after weeks, or months, of being parked. Once started it runs great about 3 out of 4 times. The other time it starts and runs great but with sometimes die while running as if the key has been turned off. No misfire, sputtering, etc. just flat dead. Once I come to a stop I turn the key off and on a couple of times and take in in out out of gear and it usually starts right back up with no problem. I'm 99% sure this is an electrical bug somewhere but nothing is obvious when's check connections or grounds. Anyone have suggestions on where to start when chasing down this issue?
CAPTAINASU Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 18

05-06-2015, 12:37 PM	#2
sccowboy It ain't gonna be easy. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St. George, SC Posts: 1,480	Re: Starts great, runs great, then dies I seem to remember someone had a similar problem and it ended up being the key switch.

05-06-2015, 02:42 PM	#3
CAPTAINASU Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 18	Re: Starts great, runs great, then dies I'll start there and let you know what I find Thanks
CAPTAINASU Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 18

05-06-2015, 04:36 PM	#4
sccowboy It ain't gonna be easy. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St. George, SC Posts: 1,480	Re: Starts great, runs great, then dies One other thought, when it does that, does the starter still engage or is it completely dead. If its dead it could also point to a bad solenoid.

05-07-2015, 07:22 AM	#5
racin161 Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,515	Re: Starts great, runs great, then dies Try dirty forward/reverse switch Spray cleaner on the contacts move it forward/reverse several times. You may have to repeat a few times. LOU
racin161 Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,515

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05-07-2015, 08:56 AM	#6
Jeff Duncan Not Yet Wild Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 5	Re: Starts great, runs great, then dies I have a similar problem; runs for a few minutes at WOT and dies, next time less time, on and on but will sputter and backfire too. I'm no mechanic and where I'm form in Canada there's few with experience with these. Good luck.
Jeff Duncan Not Yet Wild Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 5

05-07-2015, 09:39 AM	#7
nobuckbuild Gone Wild Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA Posts: 1,466	Re: Starts great, runs great, then dies check the wire connectors on the coil and from the pulsar coil , common corrosion issue will take out spark at random and come right back

05-07-2015, 01:50 PM	#8
sccowboy It ain't gonna be easy. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St. George, SC Posts: 1,480	Re: Starts great, runs great, then dies Maybe this will help you:

05-07-2015, 01:52 PM	#9
sccowboy It ain't gonna be easy. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St. George, SC Posts: 1,480	Re: Starts great, runs great, then dies Or this one which is from the mid 80s:

05-07-2015, 01:55 PM	#10
cart around Test before replacing Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Ohio side of the Pennsylvania border. Posts: 3,496	Re: Starts great, runs great, then dies Looks like this thread is dealing with two different carts, and we still have no idea if we are dealing with 2 strokes, or 4 strokes.

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