Super Jet If my MSD Enhancer was bad, would I still have spark?

[retroicon]

Just trying to chase down the reason why my ski won't start... I have spark, but every thread I check seems to keep saying to replace the enhancer with a stock CDI and give it a shot.

So the question is... if my Enhancer was bad, would I still have spark?

 

[nightrider05]

Yes you could.

I had an issue with my 97 SJ...I had good spark, fuel and great compression...but ski would only pop and backfire. I checked timing, cleaned carbs...chased down everything I could.

Finally swapped out the MSD and that was the problem.

 

[retroicon]

WTF? Seriously? That's not what I wanted to hear... can anyone else confirm?

 

[chriselmore_1]

does it spark once when you let off the start button?

 

[retroicon]

I'm not sure what you're asking... spark once I'm off the start button? How would I test that since the machine won't actually start?

 

[kevbo]

Enhancers are known to start running poorly in their failure mode. The only way to troubleshoot them is by replacement with a known stock box. Look at all connections and grounds. Then ohm check your stator with an old fashion analog meter.

 

[retroicon]

Well this one is brand Enhancer, and I haven't gotten the new motor to start yet so I'm really trying to troubleshoot possible problems and I'm hoping it's not electrical...

You'd think it'd either be spark, or no spark... why in the world would anyone design a "failure mode" where it just runs like crap? I'd rather it just die and know it's bad, than have it go into "anything could be wrong" mode.

 

[D-Roc]

my ski ran with a bad enhancer but it ran like crap. swap it out with another and you will know for sure. either that or your timing is off.

 

[Lucaumpits]

I was having the same problem and I tough was the enhance, it was the start stop switch, disconnect the black/white wires and try it, and see what happens

 

[junkyardj]

did you pull the front cover to see if your stater plate wasnt loose or in the wrong position?

i usually say fuel,spark or its your timing at least thats the order i use to problem solve..

if everything looks good start swapin

 

[retroicon]

I just put the motor back together, and everything is tight...

I have spark, there was fuel in the carbs at the needle & seat when I pulled them off to check them over, ground is solid, and I can get it to fire for about 2 seconds or so if I drop some gas directly into the cylinder and then put the plugs back in...

At this point the first thing I'm going to do is change the spring to drop my pop-off. Based on the amount of fuel in the carbs, and the fact that none of it looks to be getting to the motor... I'm thinking pop-off could be so high that the valve won't open. Maybe bad springs... (and before you ask, no, I don't have a pop-off tester, but one is on the way)

Compression is good. Leak down test was good. Carbs are clean. Solid spark. Voltage is fine. Stator plate is lined up on the original stock mark, and I'm using the stock flywheel so the timing should be dead on.

 

[kev.t]

this may sound silly, but have you got your fuel feed and return lines on the carbs the right way around?

 

[D-Roc]

dissconect thestop switch like someone said just so you know that is not it.

 

[retroicon]

this may sound silly, but have you got your fuel feed and return lines on the carbs the right way around?

Yes, first thing I checked when it didn't fire...

 

[retroicon]

this may sound silly, but have you got your fuel feed and return lines on the carbs the right way around?

How would I go about starting, and more importantly, stopping the motor if it starts with no switch? Just disconnect the plugs that hold the wires together, and jump them manually with a pair of needlenose pliers or something?

 

[D-Roc]

disconnect the black and white. keep the red and brown hooked up to start the motor. if it fires up and does not stall like it has been then you will know it is a faulty start/stop switch. if it keeps running and you need to shut it down, plug in the black and white wire.