2016 Hammerhead GT150 engine starts but there is a clicking sound and engine dies?

[coloradodixon]

Hi all - I recently bought a used 2016 Hammerhead GT 150 for my son. The kart had been sitting for 2 years. I changed all the fluids, fuel filter, cleaned the carburetor, installed a new starter & solenoid, new spark plug & wire and found a bunch of the wires on the wiring harness melted together. Cleaned up the wiring harness and the kart started. Ran just fine for about 20 hours then I burned up the starter. When I replaced it, the kart would start but there is a "clicking" sound while the engine is running. It will stay running if I press the accelerator down but will eventually die while idling (or if I drive it for about 20 minutes).
Today, I'm going to swap out the stator (waiting on the tool to show up in the mail today so I haven't removed it yet) and I also installed a new Regulate Rectifier for the GY6 engine yesterday. I'm hoping that the new components (along with double checking all the wires for problems and making sure everything is well grounded) that my problem will be solved. From what I understand, there is insufficient electrical power for the kart to properly run once started. One other thing I plan to check is if the headlights come on once everything is patched back up (should the headlights work with the key turned just to auxillery or does the ignition need to be on for the lights to work?)
Anyway, any help making this buggy run well would be GREATLY APPRECIATED! I'm hoping to stop frying parts and start having more fun driving around with my son. Thank you in advance!

 

[Hellion]

Post photos of the engine and post a video of it running (uploading it to youtube is easiest, then link it here). Even if the gearheads here can't see anything amiss on the engine visually, they can use your photos as a reference point. Plus a video speaks for itself. Since we cannot be "there", you have to be our eyes and ears.

These Chinese buggies with the GY6 engines, well they are a gamble especially when used. For many of them, the real gist of the issue is most of the GY6 engines are way overstressed for the (big heavy buggy and two occupants) application. In the future (you can't have just one kart/buggy) *I* would steer clear of these buggies and get one that's powered by an OHV "industrial engine". They are much much easier to live with, modify, troubleshoot and operate.