I recently aquired a gio 200 quad. it had been "hotwired" and part of the harness melted, all bad wires have been replaced and a new cdi installed, it has started a few times but dies after a few seconds, its defenitly not a fuel issue.

I have done the tests listed in a previous forum the results i got are as follows.
cdi is ac
kill switch/ground is ol on meter when in on position and 0ohms when in off position
ac voltage to cdi is 60vac
pulse is about 0.18 vac
voltage to coil is not regestering very well on meter but is there

so i am suspecting a bad coil pack or spark plug.

has anyone had similar issues, or sugestions of something i may have overlooked

 

But it has "started a few times". So that says you ignition system is not completely dead.

Have you done the spark test? Remove the plug, reconnect it, and hold the plug threads against the engine block. Set all kill switches to the "run" position and crank the starter. Do you see steady spark at the plug gap at about 10 times per second? If so then it is likely not your ignition system.

Assuming you have spark, dribble in a 1/2 teaspoon full of fuel into the cylinder (while you have the plug out). Reinstall the plug and crank away. Does it start up breifly?