I've got a 2000 xplorer. I rode it around the yard on sunday. It was running excellent. I brought it back to the garage and put air in the tires and went to go for another ride. I tried to start it and it ran for a few seconds and quit. So i started it again and it would only fire once. It did this about 5 times and then it wouldn't even fire. I checked the spark plug and it was fine and also the air filter. It's also getting plenty of gas. So I then looked for a spark. No spark at all. I checked the wire and it checks out fine. I did a check with my ohmeter on the coil and it starts at about 5300 and goes down. I thought that was really strange. I cleaned the coil and the ground and still nothing. Does anyone have any ideas? I think it might need a new coil but just want to make sure before i spend the money on a new one and it not be the problem. Thanks for the help.

 

MGM,

You said you checked the spark plug.......does that mean you replaced it with a new one? It sounds to me like a spark plug gone bad. Even when one is fouled out, it can still give an occasional spark, but won't crank the engine. I believe the pulse generator is under the recoil housing, and could get damaged if water got in there. Have you checked all this out? Let us know what you find out.

Waylan

 

Walexa, it is not getting any spark to the end of the wire. I put my finger on it to see if it had any spark and nothing. Do you think that it could be the pulse generator if it just wouldn't start like that? Also the starter needs to be rebuilt again. I have been pull starting it with the recoil. Thanks for the help.

 

OK,

I bet I know what it is. But first, DON'T put your finger on the spark plug wire to see if you are getting a spark as previously recommended. Get a car timing light and hook it up. Try starting the engine and watch the timing light to see if you are getting a spark. I bet not, though. Crack the throttle and see if you then get a spark via the timing light. If so, then the throttle cable is too loose.

My Scrambler has in the throttle housing a switch built in it from the factory that kills the engine if the throttle where to stick open. It will also kill the engine if there is too much play (slack) in the throttle cable adjustment. The cable should be adjusted so it barely opens the throttle kill switch inside the throttle housing, but not so much it raises the idle.

Try this and see if it runs.

Chunky

 

Chunky, thanks for the help. I would not have put my finger on the wire if i thought it had any spark at all. I first tried putting a plug in the wire to see if it had spark and it didn't. I then tried to ground the wire and see if it would shoot an arc and no spark. I have already checked the etc. The tabs are not touching inside the throttle. I grabbed the cable just inside the throttle housing with a pair of needle nosed pliers to make slack. As soon as i gave it gas the tabs touched telling me that the etc is okay. I assume it is fine. Any more helpful tests are appreciated. Thanks.

 

MGM,

I really haven't ever had this problem, and can only guess what could be wrong. If you've been wearing out starters, then it's probably from getting water inside the recoil housing.......this can damage the pulse generator, as well as the alternator that recharges the battery and so on. If all the connections you checked are good, and using a good spark plug.......you receive no spark, I'm not sure what could be the problem. Maybe someone with more knowledge will respond.

Waylan

 

I don't quite understand your last post. The tabs inside the throttle housing should never touch (unless the throttle is stuck open). If those tabs are touching, then it kills the engine.

The tabs should be partially open even at idling and no pressure is applied on the throttle cable. Is that what you are seeing??

Chunky

 

Chunky, the two tabs inside touch one another if the throttle sticks wide open or there is too much slack in the cable. As soon as I create slack in the cable the tabs touch which would kill the motor. I have checked all the electrical connections and still haven't found anything. I just got back from the dealership and bought a new coil. I don't get it until friday. I hope that fixes my problem. A new coil cost me 40 bucks. I'm still gonna mess with it until then. I have to rebuild the starter so i will look inside the recoil at the pulse generater and check that out too.

 

Had the same thing happen on my xplorer 300. It was the CDI box, $125. Hope the coil fixes yours.

 

How did you know it was the cdi box? Did it act the same way that mine does now? I'm looking into anyhthing that it could be. Can you test the cdi box to see if it still good? What would cause it to go out? Thanks for the help.