Honda go kart doesn't get a spark

[rkd55]

We recently bought a Honda gokart 5.5 engine for our daughter. She drove it for about 2 weeks now it wont go and we cant seem to get a fire to the spark plug.
Any suggestions.

[arkayassoc]

I guess where I would start is to take a continuity tester or multimeter and check for continuity in the spark plug wire. If it has continuity, change the spark plug.

We'll go from there.

Good luck,

[Pilot Dane]

There are only three basic parts to the electrical system; spark plug, spark plug wire, coil.

First, I would get a new spark plug. They are about $2 so it's a pretty cheap test and it's easy to change.

Second, when you check the new plug, make sure that the metal spark plug connector is pushed all the way up into the spark plug boot. Often the wire gets pulled out of the boot a little bit when you remove it from the spark plug, then when you re-install it the spark plug wire it not touching the spark plug even though the boot is on the plug and looks OK. You should also feel a "click" when you push the spark plug boot onto the plug.

Third, check the circuit for your "kill" or "Off" switch. Make sure the switch is in the "ON" position (yes, I know it's obvious but it happens quite often). Check the wires going to the switch. Look for frayed wires touching the frame or other wires. This will ground the ignition coil and prevent the ignition from making a spark.

Fourth, quite often the spark plug wire will break underneath the boot where the wire joins the metal connector on the end.

Now, to do much more you will have to remove the cooling shroud (the metal housing on the side of the engine) to get to the other end of the spark plug wire and coil. With the shroud off you can check continuity through the spark plug wire. Make sure the wire is still attached to the coil. You may also have a bad coil.

[cheese]

Hello rkd55!

The honda 5.5 should have a low-oil sentry that shuts down the ignition when the oil gets too low. Make sure it is full. This is the most common reason I usually see for no spark on Hondas. Other than that, follow the advice previous to mine.