115
Troubleshooting
Problem: Spark absent or weak
Condition
Remedy
1.
Ignition coil
defective
2.
Spark plug
defective
3.
Magneto
defective
4.
ECM
defective
5.
Pick-up coil
defective
1. Replace ignition coil
2. Replace plug
3. Replace stator coil
4. Replace ECM
5. Replace stator coil
Problem: Spark plug fouled with carbon
Condition
Remedy
1.
Gasoline
incorrect
2.
Air cleaner element
dirty
3.
Spark plug
incorrect (too cold)
4.
Valve seals
cracked - missing
5.
Oil rings
worn - broken
1. Change to correct gasoline
2. Clean element
3. Replace plug
4. Replace seals
5. Replace rings
Problem: Spark plug electrodes overheat or burn
Condition
Remedy
1.
Spark plug
incorrect (too hot)
2.
Engine
overheats
3.
Spark plug
loose
1. Replace plug
2. Service cooling system
3. Tighten plug
Problem: Battery does not charge
Condition
Remedy
1.
Lead wires/connections
shorted - loose - open
2.
Magneto coils
shorted - grounded - open
3.
Regulator/rectifier
defective
1. Repair - replace - tighten lead wires
2. Replace magneto coils
3. Replace regulator/rectifier
Problem: Battery charges, but charging rate is below the specification
Condition
Remedy
1.
Lead wires
shorted - open - loose (at terminals)
2.
Stator coil (magneto)
grounded - open
3.
Regulator/rectifier
defective
4.
Cell plates (battery)
defective
1. Repair - tighten lead wires
2. Replace stator coil
3. Replace regulator/rectifier
4. Replace battery
Problem: Battery overcharges
Condition
Remedy
1.
Internal battery
short circuited
2.
Regulator/rectifier
resistor damaged - defective
3.
Regulator/rectifier
poorly grounded
1. Replace battery
2. Replace resistor
3. Clean - tighten ground connection
Problem: Charging unstable
Condition
Remedy
1.
Lead wire
intermittently shorting
2.
Magneto
internally shorted
3.
Regulator/rectifier
defective
1. Replace lead wire
2. Replace stator coil
3. Replace regulator/rectifier
Problem: Starter button not effective
Condition
Remedy
1.
Battery
charge low
2.
Switch
contacts defective
3.
Starter relay
defective
4.
Emergency stop - ignition switch
off
5.
Wiring connections
loose - disconnected
1. Charge - replace battery
2. Replace switch
3. Replace relay
4. Turn on switches
5. Connect - tighten - repair connections
Problem: Battery “sulfation” (Acidic white powdery substance or spots on surfaces of cell plates)
Condition
Remedy
1.
Charging rate
too low - too high
2.
Battery
run-down - damaged
3.
Electrolyte
contaminated
1. Replace battery
2. Replace battery
3. Replace battery
Problem: Battery discharges too rapidly
Condition
Remedy
1.
Charging system
not charging
2.
Cell plates overcharged
- damaged
3.
Battery
short-circuited
4.
Electrolyte
contaminated
1. Check magneto - regulator/rectifier - circuit connections
2. Replace battery - correct charging system
3. Replace battery
4. Replace battery
Problem: Battery polarity reversed
Condition
Remedy
1.
Battery
incorrectly connected
1. Reverse connections - replace battery - repair damage