Gokart runs flawlessly, BUT IT WONT STOP!

[dragon831]

Ok, i took the gokart out of the shed. It's been a few months since I've run it. I have one of the cheap greyhound 6.5 hp engines on it. I cranked it up and on the 2nd pull it started. Then, i realized that they key (on the gokart itself) i had wired to it was off. The on/off switch on the actual engine works fine, but for some reason the key stopped working. I went buy another key, the key and the thing the key goes into to turn it on/off. I ran the one wire from the back of the key thing, to the motor. I spliced the wire that leaves the on/off switch and wired they key into there, still not working.

From my understanding, to test it, can i just wire the ignition thing (the part the key plugs into), straight to the wire that leaves the on/off switch on the engine and test it? Even when i do that, the on/off switch on the engine works fine, but the engine keeps running regardless of whether they key is on or off. Is the key suppose to be grounded or something?

 

[Bluethunder3320]

the negative is always grounded to the block.

 

[dragon831]

The on/off switch on the actualy engine itself has a wire that's grounded to the block, but what about they key on the kart? it's just one wire that connects to the wire coming out the other side of the switch. Is that all the key needs is one wire?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Theoretically, yes. That's assuming the key switch is internally grounded to it's mount. Basically, in the "on" position, there is no connection made in the switch. In the "off" position, contact is made between that one conductor, and the switch casing (ground).For it to work, the switch must be mounted in a way that the switch casing is making a good, clean electrical contact with the kart, and in turn, the engine block must make good ground contact with the chassis.

If your new key switch has more than one terminal, you have to run a wire to a good ground point from there, and the other terminal goes back to the kill wire at the engine.

 

[dragon831]

gotcha, so I couldn't hold they key/ignition in my hand and have it working properly. Due to it only have one terminal, I assume it's the contact it makes with the kart that's suppose to ground it.

This is a picture i just took. The one with one hole in the end is the one that was originally there, the other one i bought. I cant get either working so the original one is probably still fine. You just slide it into the hole from the back, then twist the nut around it. I assume the nut is suppose to be tight enough to ground it to the kart?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Yes. Make sure the hole is free of rust or paint for good electrical contact. Run a wire from that terminal to the kill wire on the engine block.

 

[dragon831]

hm, i guess it's not making good enough contact b/c its ran correctly. Gonna go clean it up and get rid of the rust/paint. Will update shortly!

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Just to make sure everything else is alright, start the engine,and take the wire off the keyswitch. (Extend the wire if necessary) and touch it to a clean bit of aluminum or steel on the engine. If it shuts down, the circuit is good, and you just need to sort out the ground at the keyswitch.

 

[dragon831]

Just to make sure everything else is alright, start the engine,and take the wire off the keyswitch. (Extend the wire if necessary) and touch it to a clean bit of aluminum or steel on the engine. If it shuts down, the circuit is good, and you just need to sort out the ground at the keyswitch.

I did as you said and just touched the wire to to the steel and the engine shut off. But, i then hooked up the wire to the key and blah.. nothing. I even grinded off the paint where it makes contact and still not working. That has to be the problem. I guess I will have to try something else. Maybe get an ignition with 2 terminals and wire one of the terminals to the kart?

 

[Bluethunder3320]

you could run 2 wires with that swich. either gently weld or solder a metal tab onto the metal part of ur switch then run it to the block and drill a small hole in a cooling fin or attach it to a metal part of the engine, so your sure its working. you may want to test the switch with a voltage meter, to be sure it still works. you can even test it off any battery laying around. put the (-) lead on the (-) of battery, then attach (+) side of switch to (+) of battery then making sure switch is on, touch the (+) test lead to the (-) of the swich.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I did as you said and just touched the wire to to the steel and the engine shut off. But, i then hooked up the wire to the key and blah.. nothing. I even grinded off the paint where it makes contact and still not working. That has to be the problem. I guess I will have to try something else. Maybe get an ignition with 2 terminals and wire one of the terminals to the kart?

Okay, that's half the battle- now- is there good electrical contact between the keyswitch mounting hole and the engine block?

You're sure the switch is good? Try this- with the engine running and the key switch in your hand, and the wire connected to it, touch the side of the keyswitch (the portion that would touch the frame if mounted) to the bare metal on the engine. If engine dies, great. If not, you have a bad switch.

 

[dragon831]

PROBLEM SOLVED! Thanks to everyone !

Now on to the next problem.... hooking up the throttle to this pos lol. I saw a few threads on hooking up the throttle to a 6.5hp greyhound. Not sure which route Im going to take yet though.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Just look at how everything is set up, and works. Mounting methods vary engine to engine, and kart to kart, but the fundamentals remain the same.
One question- is the governor intact, or gone?

 

[dragon831]

it's intact, I havent messed with anything else.

The only way I've found to rig it up looks pretty ghetto. It consist of attaching a spring to the throttle lever (doesnt look to bad), but then attaching the other side of the spring into one of the little blade things covering the rope that you pull.