this china made atv,starts but when i release the start button it dies.
If i press the start button repeatedly after it starts, i can keep it running(sometimes i can quit pressing the start button and it will run fine for 15 or 20 seconds and then die unless i began pressing the start button again.
It seems as though a an electrical circuit is being completed through the push button start switch , that should be completed a different way.

Any one have any ideas where to look? Thanks in advance.

 

Do i need to give more info, or explain anything better ?

 

hope that didnt sound rude, I meant let me know if more info is needed.

 

'it starts but when i release the start button it dies.
If i press the start button repeatedly after it starts, i can keep it running(sometimes i can quit pressing the start button and it will run fine for 15 or 20 seconds

This doesn't sound electrical to me cause you say it runs for 15-20 seconds sometimes before it dies. Electricity is either on or off there is no half way.
You said it starts as in it runs good and the throttle responds? Or it coughs, sputters, and pukes? Since the first doesn't make sence to me i'm assuming the second. My best guess is a mechanical problem where the bike doesn't actually want to run but the starter makes it hit every so often. It could be simple as a dirty/misadjusted carb, bad plug, air leaking arund the carb or intake,or the vaves just need adjusted. Then again it could be major, but I cannot tell if its simple or major w/o some testing. Start by cleaning the plug and checking compression.

 

This was a good running atv , then while my kid was riding it began to die.My first thought also was carb. But i went through the carb , everything is spotless. I have a small engine repair shop in Cave city ,AR. (Edward Services Appliance Repair - Batesville, Highland, Melbourne, Strawberry AR) so im pretty familiar with mechanics, not saying i couldnt overlook something obvious .
Anyway if i hold (repeatedly tap)the starter button after it hits initially , then it will remain running , and run good. I was thinking somehow it was electrical???? I really dont know.

Oh and by the way i checked the the green/yellow wire going to the starter solenoid (from the push button/start switch) and it had continuity with the frame(ground)...I unplugged the connector right before the solenoid , and no more continuity with ground ???

 

I just don't see where the circut could cause an electrical glitch like that. The circut is very simple and don't share any wiring with a circut that makes the engine run. Basicly it's just a fused wire from the battery (may go through key switch) that hooks to one side of the strt button. Then a wire from the other side of the button to one small wire on side of the solenoid. The other small wire on the solenoid goes to ground. When you press the start button it just completes a circut from to the battery to button then through the winding of the solenoid to ground. There is nothing on the circut to decide if the motor runs or not. It just tells the solenoid to allow power to the starter. This is why I'm assuming it's mechanical.

You said that you had a wire grounding out. How did that not burn the fuse?

 

I got the fuse removed and wired direct

 

10/4 on the starter circuit shouldnt effect the fire at all?

 

 

I was thinking a bit and I'm still stuck on a mechanical issue. You said it started to act up suddenly while it was being riden. If mine did that i'd check in order:
1) look for dirty carb
2) start bike and have someone keep it running while I sprayed starting fluid around the carb mount, carb boot, over the entire inake manifold, and where the intake meets the head to see if it's got a leak.
3) Replace the plug cause sometimes they just stop working without any visual clue as to why.
4) Check valve clearences not that they are prone to going out suddenly but cause '**** happens'
5) Compression test if good you eliminate burt/bent valve, blown head gasket, and dead piston
6) pull the cover off and check timing with a timing light

being you own a small engine shop your looking at $3 for a plug and using tools you should already own.