Zenoah 290RC has no spark - help!

[Steve Macdonald]

So I installed a new Zenoah 290RC from DDM in my KM T1000A. Everything was fine for about a week, but today I had just started running for about 5 minutes and the motor just shut down completely. I did all the usual checks and it definitely has no spark (tested using a spark tester).

Can someone explain how you troubleshoot no spark? Can I test the coil? The spark plug lead? I have a volt/ohm meter...

Thanks!

Steve

 

[Phill2]

So I installed a new Zenoah 290RC from DDM in my KM T1000A. Everything was fine for about a week, but today I had just started running for about 5 minutes and the motor just shut down completely. I did all the usual checks and it definitely has no spark (tested using a spark tester).

Can someone explain how you troubleshoot no spark? Can I test the coil? The spark plug lead? I have a volt/ohm meter...

Thanks!

Steve

Check the gap between the coil and flywheel.
You just put a business card between the coil and flywheel to check.
If that's OK I'd replace the coil.

 

[Steve Macdonald]

Check the gap between the coil and flywheel.
You just put a business card between the coil and flywheel to check.
If that's OK I'd replace the coil.

Thanks for the suggestions, man.
I'm going to dig a bit deeper tomorrow.

 

[Paul G]

Make sure to check settings for kill switch, if you have one. Maybe something changed without you realizing what you have done.

 

[Steve Macdonald]

Make sure to check settings for kill switch, if you have one. Maybe something changed without you realizing what you have done.

It was the kill switch. The kill switch was stuck in the kill position. I used the opportunity to install a Killer RC Super Bee switch I had in my parts bin. The truck runs again, but I'm not sure the Killer RC Super Bee actually works fully with KM...

Anyone tried the Super Bee with KM before?

 

[Paul G]

KM wouldn't be an issue. It's the reciever and remote that will determine that. I'd say it would be harder to set up with a FlySky as thier settings would not be the same as Futaba or Spektrum. So it still would work but no real support on a cheaper set up to get it working right.

 

[jbl302]

One day mine had no spark. After checking a few things, I noticed my kill switch, the button had stayed pushed in when I shut it off. That gave me no spark. Grit and dirt had gotten in and around the plastic button. Popped it out, unplugged it and removed the plastic yellow button, cleaned it out good and filed all four side of the button for easier operation. Sometimes what seems like a major problem, turns out to be a simple one.

 

[Steve Macdonald]

One day mine had no spark. After checking a few things, I noticed my kill switch, the button had stayed pushed in when I shut it off. That gave me no spark. Grit and dirt had gotten in and around the plastic button. Popped it out, unplugged it and removed the plastic yellow button, cleaned it out good and filed all four side of the button for easier operation. Sometimes what seems like a major problem, turns out to be a simple one.

Exactly what happened to me. Replaced the switch with a killer bee, which works great.

 

[Phill2]

One day mine had no spark. After checking a few things, I noticed my kill switch, the button had stayed pushed in when I shut it off. That gave me no spark. Grit and dirt had gotten in and around the plastic button. Popped it out, unplugged it and removed the plastic yellow button, cleaned it out good and filed all four side of the button for easier operation. Sometimes what seems like a major problem, turns out to be a simple one.

I always shut mine down using the kill switch on the controller.
I never use the button on the motor

 

[jbl302]

I do the same thing, from running gas boats, Homelites and then Zens for 20 or so years, they never had kill buttons. When setting up, first thing I do is remove idle screw and adjust with trim, rev to shut off. I think not ever using it and one day using it when I had it up on the bench, I didnt realize the switch had taken in so much dirt.