Hi gang, just joined, let me say thank you already for all the helpful info I've found here so far.

Here's what I have.

Typical 110cc chinese atv. Bought used, had wiring issues. The starter button has been rewired to a button mounted lower(no prob. with this.) The coil wires had been cut(assuming they tried changing it)..
Long story short, I patched everything up, disconnected the kill wire at the cdi, got spark and it runs fine. Oviously turning it off now is a problem, short of pulling the plug wire. I can't figure out which safety switch is grounding to the kill. I have ignition key, hadlebar switch, tether switch(in rear) and remote.
ANY info on this would be GREATLY appreciated!!!
THANKS!!!

 

Use a meter to measure the resistance of the kill wire in the wiring harness to ground. Since it is killing the engine when hooked up to the CDI you will find it is shorted to ground. Disconnect the kill switches one by one while monitoring the resistance. When you disconnect the switch cauing the problem the meter resistance will go to infinity (open). All the kill switches have short pigtail leads that go through a connector on the way into the wiring harness, though often this connector is hidden under plastic.

If you unplug all four kill switches and the kill switch wire is still shorted then you have a wired pinched in the frame somewhere. I've read several cases where the pinched wire was under the seat on the way to the rear tether kill switch. If worse comes to worse you could just cut loose the kill switch wires at all the kill switch pigtail connectors and at the CDI, then run new wires. Just leave the old shorted (and now orphaned) wire set in the harness since it isn't hooked up to anything anymore.

 

Ok great!
Headed to the shop now, will post results. THANK YOU THANK YOU! I'm sure my kids will appreciate you Christmas morning!

One more thing, when(if) I single out the problem switch, will it work to just eliminate it and wire the circuit together without it?

Thanks so much again!

 

No.

You have it backwards. If you "wire the circuit together" you will guarantee no spark. Just leave the switch/remote disconnected. That defaults to "enable spark" mode. But remember that *all* the kill switches must be in "enable" mode (in other words open or disconnected) before you will get spark. Any one of the kill switches if not in the "enable mode" (shorted or connected across) can prevent spark.

In the case of the igntition switch there are two separate switches in the ignition switch. One section supplies power to the starter interlock circuitry (and other stuff), and one kills spark when the engine is turned off. So if the ignition switch is the problem you need to disconnect the kill switch wire itself rather than unplugging the whole switch. Usually this is a black/white wire.

 

Yes, i'm backwards. This is why i'm dangerous with electricity.

Ok, I've eliminated it down to the ignition switch. After removing the kill wire there(blk/wht, as you said), I have open at the cdi. I was called away at this point, but i believe you've led me to the problem. THANK YOU.

Will post final results.
YOU'RE THE BEST!