I have a 1986 Yamaha YFM200. When I try to start it with the electric start it will not start and the spark is weak. If I try to start it with the recoil starter she starts right up and runs great. Is there a ballast resistor on these things or is the problem in the CDI?

HELP!!!!

 

Are you sure your battery is good? Perhaps it doesn't have enough juice to fire it. Jump it from a car battery and see if it helps.

 

Make sure the car is NOT running. Car alternators put out too much voltage and could harm the electronics on a quad. Its ok to jump start if the motor on the donor vehicle is off.
You could also take the battery to napa or autozone and they will do a free load test on it. This will tell you whether the battery is good or not.

 

battery is just fine. Motor turns over normal. Just weak spark when trying to start with electric start. Strong spark and motor starts fine with recoil starter.

 

Sorry I wasn't specific enough. Battery is good. Turns motor over just fine

 

OK,
Tried a new plug? Does it seem to run ok once its running? Its possible that the starter is wearing out, and the internal resistance is getting less, which raises the current draw. This higher current draw, takes juice away from the available juice for the ignition. Have you got a voltmeter? If the starter draws too much current , it will pull down the voltage. Youll be able to see that, on a voltmeter, when cranking.