Hello everyone. Recently got the go kart given to me and was not familiar with them but got it going and running well. My question however is what exactly does the single wire to thermostat do? Is it for the overheat light because that is on all the time , even with engine cold. If I unplug it nothing changes. Was wondering if I can use that spot for electric temp gauge ? Also was wondering if the temp switch in rad is what tells the cooling fans to run. If so, I suspect it's bad because fans wouldn't turn on so I put in a switch to run steady as charging system seems to keep up. Thanks
Roketa 250cc go kart cooling wiring
- Thread starter Tydogg
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anderkart
Moderator
I was trying to find a wiring diagram to help you, and discovered Roketa has made serveral different 250cc karts, what is the model number of yours?
http://www.roketa.com/product/productlist/259.shtml
http://www.roketa.com/product/productlist/259.shtml
anderkart
Moderator
According to the GK19 wiring diagram:
The (single-wire) Thermal switch is supposed to send a ground-signal to activate the Overheat Indicator light, And also the Water Temperature Warning Buzzer, when the engines coolant overheats.
So If your Overheat light stays on with with that Thermal Switch unplugged, a probable cause would be that wire has shorted to ground somewhere, or that your Temperature Warning Buzzer is defective/shorted, and back feeding a ground-signal that's causing the Overheat Light to stay on. (you could start by simply unplugging the Temp Warning Buzzer, and see if that corrects the Overheat Light problem or not...)
Or, yes you could just instal a aftermarket Temp guage and Instal Its sending unit in that same location as your old one wire Thermal Switch.
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That wiring diagram tells us the 2-wire thermal switch in your Radiator should have power to one of its wires when the Ignition switch is turned on, and then the other wire runs directly to the Radiator Fan motor(s). So you'd simply need to confirm one of those wires is receiving power with the key on, and If it is: Then you could simply jumper those 2 wires together to diagnose if the Thermal switch is defective and the only problem.
The wiring diagram doesn't show it, but I'd imagine you've got a fuse wired in somewhere to protect the cooling fan circuit...
How did you wire in your switch to turn the Radiator fans on?
The (single-wire) Thermal switch is supposed to send a ground-signal to activate the Overheat Indicator light, And also the Water Temperature Warning Buzzer, when the engines coolant overheats.
So If your Overheat light stays on with with that Thermal Switch unplugged, a probable cause would be that wire has shorted to ground somewhere, or that your Temperature Warning Buzzer is defective/shorted, and back feeding a ground-signal that's causing the Overheat Light to stay on. (you could start by simply unplugging the Temp Warning Buzzer, and see if that corrects the Overheat Light problem or not...)
Or, yes you could just instal a aftermarket Temp guage and Instal Its sending unit in that same location as your old one wire Thermal Switch.
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That wiring diagram tells us the 2-wire thermal switch in your Radiator should have power to one of its wires when the Ignition switch is turned on, and then the other wire runs directly to the Radiator Fan motor(s). So you'd simply need to confirm one of those wires is receiving power with the key on, and If it is: Then you could simply jumper those 2 wires together to diagnose if the Thermal switch is defective and the only problem.
The wiring diagram doesn't show it, but I'd imagine you've got a fuse wired in somewhere to protect the cooling fan circuit...
How did you wire in your switch to turn the Radiator fans on?
Thanks on the good info. As far as the two pronged thermostat switch I did jump it previously and it did make the fans work , well sort of, those crappy connection were a issue so I cut them off and put bullet style connectors. With the switch for fans I came off the battery with inline fuse but if the thermostat switch is the problem I will probably put it back the way it should be
anderkart
Moderator
Your welcome.
The 1977-1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Engine Coolant Fan Temperature Switch's were a 2-wire type that worked the same exact way as yours... One of those would probably be a higher quality/more heavy duty part you could get at a reasonable price from most any auto parts store.
I don't know what temp your original radiator switch activated, but I seem to remember those older VW switches activated at around 200 fahrenheit. Of course you'd need to bring your old switch along to the parts store to confirm the threads and size were compatible.
The 1977-1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Engine Coolant Fan Temperature Switch's were a 2-wire type that worked the same exact way as yours... One of those would probably be a higher quality/more heavy duty part you could get at a reasonable price from most any auto parts store.
I don't know what temp your original radiator switch activated, but I seem to remember those older VW switches activated at around 200 fahrenheit. Of course you'd need to bring your old switch along to the parts store to confirm the threads and size were compatible.
I have ordered one a day ago so I will give that a try when it comes in . I think the single wire sensor is 28 threads per inch so I think a 1/8 pipe thread sender will probably work with a little teflon tape. Haven't came across the exact thread in a online search. I wasn't certain originally if that was a warning light or some kind of way of motor temperature sensor as the single wire seems to be in with electric choke wiring but these things are wired kinda weird but with info u gave me I'm gonna give the gauge a try. Never liked those warning lights on anything. One other thing I could not find info on was where the drain and fill is for the gear box is on this buggy. I did not think that it would be hard to find even looking online for answers. Thanks again
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