My dad has a '98 scrambler and it won't start. It stopped working sometime around thanksgiving, the throttle cable got stuck and we got that fixed. Now we just can't get it started. It is getting spark,commpression and gas but it won't start. We tried starting fluid but didn't work. Tried cleaning carb but did'nt work and we tried new gas and it still didn't work. The most we got was a backfire. Please help!!!

 

try replacing the spark plug

 

The Scrambler that won't start is mine. It has a brand new plug, I completely drained the gas tank and filled it with fresh gas. I took the carb out and cleaned it and checked the float, needle and everything looks good. I took the plug out and left the plug wire connected and it's definitely getting spark. I checked compression with my thumb over the plug hole and it feels like good compression. It won't catch at all. I even tried a squirt of starting fluid and all it did was backfire. I don't know what else to check. Need some suggestions.

 

No Choke, Hold Full Throttle and Crank for 5 to 6 sec. If she start or tries, great! Try again if she doesn't start. If nothing happens with this, full choke it and try, after this pull the plug and check. What happened? The thread said your cable got stuck, did you shut it off and nothing else happened. Fill me in!

 

I cranked it full throttle without choke and then again with choke. Nothing. It just cranks & cranks but won't hit, not even a lttle. Pulled the lug and it's wet but that's all. When it originally died it was as if the throttle linkage bound up. My son played around with it and freed the throttle cable up but it hasn't run since.

 

check the electronic throttle control.

 

Crawdad, I would agree with Joelpolaris. The ETC(Electonic Throttle Contol) switch is designed to cut the motor off when the throttle gets stuck which sounds like something you said had happend. If this is the problem your motor will not start no matter what you do.

 

My thought was that the ETC switch prevents the engine from running above a certain RPM. It shouldn't prevent the engine from starting I wouldn't think. I have good spark to the plug so I'm thinking it should at least start.

 

I see your point Crawdad, however, if yours works like mine then the ETC switch does cut the motor off just like cutting the key off. If you haven't checked it then take a few minutes and take the cover off. Inside there should be a set of contacts. Once again, if yours is like mine, the contacts should be open for normal operation. If they are closed that is your problem. If you have already checked this then I don't know what else to tell you. Just trying to help. Good Luck.

 

I can tell you just what the problem is.
It lies in your fly wheel and your timing my friend has the same problem with the same machine.
The key wey shears a little and the timing is off . check that out Ihope this repairs your problem? hope it does.Matt