Some friends of ours dropped off an '85 Honda 70 ATC for my kid, but it wouldn't start. It's been sitting in a garage for 4 or 5 years. I'm not much of a mechanic, but I checked it for spark, and it zapped me pretty good [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] The spark plug wire must have gotten brittle over the years, because it just kinda broke apart while I was plugging it back in. I went out and got a new plug and wire but now I can't get a spark. Any suggestions?

 

Welcome to the forum JJwalker, If you had spark before replacing the plug and plug wire. I would make sure that the new plug wire is connected at each end securely. Both the coil end and the plug end.

 

Hiya mywifesquad,

I've checked and re-checked it a few times over now, and it's as secure as I can get it on both ends. All the other wires have electrical tape on a few spots, but seem secure as well. I should have mentioned that before I changed the plug wire, the spark sometimes worked, and sometimes didn't. That's what led me to believe it was the old beat up plug wire that was the problem, but it appears it may be something else. I notice the throttle control is sticky, and it shares a housing with the on/off switch, maybe it's gummed up in there?

 

check the wires were there taped that might be the problem because it might be broke so its not attaching
hope this helps

 

You might also want to check the gap on your plug. If it is to big then you wont get anything. Definately check your on/off switch. Also if your wire and plug cap were so old and falling apart, your coil my also be taking a dump on you.

 

Does the '85 have points, or electronic ignition?