Recently purchased a 2008 Joyner 250cc Sand Viper. Was running well. Sat for awhile (6 weeks) then had problems with battery . Replaced battery (also purchased another trickle charger for this bat and unplugged the 20a fuse when not in use, it seems to draw down volts). Anyhow tried starting with new battery, won't start. Replaced spark plug, checked usual items, gas, flow, filter, etc. have many ATVs and couple older dune buggies, still won't start. Seems to turn well when key engaged, give some gas, seems to draw gas. Any suggestions, still won't start. Anyone have a checklist to go through for troubleshooting unable to start problem on newer Joyner Dune Buggies? Does the auto choke cause anyone problems, anyway to make it manual? I started to take apart the carb but stopped and figured I post her first. Thx Don
Are you saying they starter turns and sounds like its trying to start (turn over) but not starting? Does it sound like is trying to fire at all?
I will tell you what happened to me. My first day out they buggy started fine and we drove it for hours. We came back to camp turned it off to switch passengers and it would not start. It would turn over but not start. I went through all the same things you went through.
For my Joyner Sand Viper 250 it ended up being the key ignition switch. The only way I found this is because the local BMS buggy shop said they replace alot of BMS ignition switches for the same reason.
The Joyner ignition switch that you put the key into is plastic with copper inserts inside that connect when the key is turned. On mine the copper insert wiggled loose and the spring that pushes it against the other copper connection would not push it properly. You may be able to fix it if that is your problem. It acually comes apart pretty easily, but watch out for flying springs.
I ended up getting a $10 Kragen auto parts ignition switch. Almost all auto parts stores sell them on the shelf in the electrical isle and they are all metal and come with two keys. I am keeping this one and not using a Joyner ignition anymore.
I am not an electrician, but it was very easy to wire. Choose a model ignition with three wires. And then you will have to cut the wires near the stock ignition since the replacement doesnt have a plug.
The red wire was power, and it was a matter of testing the other two wires as either a ground or ignition. I tried this on a long shot after all the frustration you had and it fixed it instantly and I once again loved my buggy.
if you think this applies to you, feel free to PM me or email me.
Check your coil. The connections at the spark plug and at the coil are just screwed into the wire. They can lose contact and then your spark may be weak or not at all.
Give them a twist and make sure they are tight.
Did you do any rewiring when you installed your trickle charger? If so then double check your connections.
I checked the coil and removed it, twisted it, checked the other side connections. Did the spark plug test, removed the plug, sttached the coil, grounded it to one of the scres and i see a spark and very visable in daylight. Still won't start. For charger just attached alligator clips to terminals, took easy way. Looked at ignition switch took off, didn't take apart, looks okay. I assume cause I'm getting spark, ignition is okay?? Any other suggestions. I assume something to do with air flow or fuel?? Thx
If you have spark then the next ingredient is fuel. Ensure that you have good flow. When was the last time you added fuel? Though you may be able to see fuel in the bottom of the tank there may not be enough to allow flow. There is an internal filter that sticks up into the tank and sometimes will prevent fuel flow if there is less that 1/2 inch of fuel.
Took all the lines off, fuel and air, blew them out, troubleshooted from the gas tank through the filter to the carb, etc. Ended up fixing it without knowing what was wrong since i blew every line. Then going up a hill died. Checked the flow of gas into carb, nothing. turned buggy around to have rear wheels up hill and slowly started back up, fuel was flowing. Suspect filter, seems to be trapping gas in filter>??> Going to purchase a new one. Thanks for all your help. Don
BINGO!! Drove the buggy last night for a few hours and when I got home to unload it would not start. drained the bowl to see if fuel was flowing and it was. If it had not been so late I probably would have taken apart the carb! So I decided to do a search. The funny thing is when I was trying to start the buggy I was wondering was the ignition switch working like it normally does, it was so minor, just enough to make you wonder if it always did that. After reading this post went to Auto Zone bought a switch, and now I'm getting ready to go riding.
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