OzVMX Forum
Marque Remarks => Maico => Topic started by: VMX Andrew on April 14, 2014, 07:01:01 pm
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Having problems starting my 77 AW400.
Checked the spark while kicking with new plug and cant see any flame while its touching the top of motor.
So im thinking it could be the coil ??
Has anyone got a spare coil laying around or should I get it tested first then start looking elsewhere ??
Don't really wanna fork out $500 for a new PVL ignition kit :o
Cheers Andrew.
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It could be the coil but what you are describing is a typical failure of a motoplat through age. The stator coils break down and the spark gets weaker and weaker particularly at kick speed. The other symptom is frequent plug fouling as the spark energy even at operating speed is way down. Send the whole thing to small coil rewinds or Betta Bikes for a rewind.
Or go the PVL
Umm when you say flame I assume (bad word) you mean spark or are you trying to burning because it won't start?
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Umm when you say flame I assume (bad word) you mean spark or are you trying to burning because it won't start?
Oops I should have said SPARK.
Yes I couldn't see any spark while the plug was sitting on top of the motor.
Thanks for the info Greg I will look into all those options you have given me
but $500 for new PVL...... :'( OUCH
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Just chech the wires and conections on the coil ,also the points ,that bike use to loose spark after it had been either been washed or wet , ;D
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Also I might still have a few maico coils
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Thanks Paul for that info, will check everything tomorrow.
Cheers Andrew.
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As Paul said, have you tried a couple of plugs?
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And the earth...
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And the earth...
AND disconnect the kill switch, faulty switches have been a common cause AND try a NEW spark plug, you'd be amazed how many I have seen with a simply failed plug or shorting kill switch.
cheers,
Wayne.
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My 74 Husky Mag 250 shows no sign of spark when I try to start it. Flood the Bing carby 7-8 kicks, remove plug, squirt of Start Ya Bastard and starts very easily. Damn Motoplat are so strange
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and from the yellow camp....new pistons too small ,so compression's up to mud..
Process of elimination. :P
Hope its an easy one Andrew :)
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To start with you say you have a pvl, so the motoplat call is irrelivent.
A bad earth between the frame and motor is a common one. The frame gets surface rust on it.
First thing that fails on a pvl is the stator windings.
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To start with you say you have a pvl, so the motoplat call is irrelivent.
A bad earth between the frame and motor is a common one. The frame gets surface rust on it.
First thing that fails on a pvl is the stator windings.
Having problems starting my 77 AW400.
Checked the spark while kicking with new plug and cant see any flame while its touching the top of motor.
So im thinking it could be the coil ??
Has anyone got a spare coil laying around or should I get it tested first then start looking elsewhere ??
Don't really wanna fork out $500 for a new PVL ignition kit :oCheers Andrew.
Umm when you say flame I assume (bad word) you mean spark or are you trying to burning because it won't start?
Oops I should have said SPARK.
Yes I couldn't see any spark while the plug was sitting on top of the motor.
Thanks for the info Greg I will look into all those options you have given me
but $500 for new PVL...... :'( OUCH
It says he does not really want to fork out for a new PVL I read that as he does not have a PVL but could be wrong
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Sorry for the confusion fellas I should have stated that the coil is a motoplat item
and yes $500 is a bit steep for a new PVL item but anyways I still haven't got around
testing the wires for earthing.
Have been too busy at work will have a look over the weekend.
Thanks Andrew.
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You have removed the spark plug cap, bared the coil wire back, earthed it and given it a kick haven't you.
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You have removed the spark plug cap, bared the coil wire back, earthed it and given it a kick haven't you.
No Ted, me bad but will get around to doing it.
Really appreciate all the info and feedback guys.
Thanks.
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I hope you don't have a resistor cap or spark plug on a motoplat. They just will not drive a resistor plug or cap.
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I've had 2 Maico's w/the stock Motoplat ignition fail. The common failure mode for both of them was that they became increasingly difficult to start, then they would only light off by push starting, then not at all. So both received new PVL's. My 81 started acting really strange at the Boise Inter AM and quit making spark altogether, this was with a 5 year old PVL. I removed the unit and sent to Penton Imports for test, the stator coil was bad, very high resistance reading. Note: Steve at PI told me that it is not uncommon for the older style tape wrapped stator coils on the PVL's to last only 4-5 years. PVL has fixed this with a totally encased stator coil on the new units. My 84 500 is now starting to exhibit the very same hard to start problem (only push starting will work) so I'm going to try an HPI ignition on the 84.
I find it interesting that the stock Motoplat units on these bikes lasted over 30 years and modern ignitions are lasting a fraction of that.
Hope this helps,
Fritz
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There are several questions to answer.
1. Is it the standard ignition. The 77 AW had a points ignition.
2. If not has it got a Motoplat off the next models 78 on.
PVL ignitions do fail after awhile. There are other options available also, but as FritzG has said PVL know there is a problem so maybe the new ones are OK.
There are also replacement coils available. Les at VMX Unlimited has them.
Just another thing as already said don't use a resistor plug cap or plug. NGK now have what we ran back in the 70s and 80s B9EGV or 8. Or use a B9ES or 8.
My Maico 81 490 is difficult to start when it has been sitting for a while and requires push starting, but after it has started once it then kick starts.
Have you tryed push starting it.