the motor will do everything but start. the starter just winds and winds. my kill sitch only has one black wire hooked to it and a brown and orange wire hanging thats not hooked up...ive always run it like that but could that be the problem? any help is appreciated.

Do you have a tachometer? if so, does it register rpms while cranking?

If it does, then you have a fuel (or lack of) problem. If not, then your ignition system is not firing.

i dont have a tachometer...im new to the mudmotors, how could i diagnose these problems?

To check to see if you're firing, you can either go to the parts house & buy a spark tester, or pull a plug wire & stick a screwdriver in it while cranking it. The second option usually works better if you get someone else to hold the screwdriver.

From your other post- did you re-wire your key switch and this is happening afterward?


viewtopic.php?f=3&t=19806

yes this is after my key switch has been re wired. i had fire in the spark plugs before the key switch incident and everything was working fine...it just seems as if the kill switch isnt hooked up but i could be wrong

Without a tach, its harder to pinpoint (the first check is what BoatDr posted- eliminates alot of variables). The following assumes you have fuel (check the fuel filter). Not sure on the Gatortail but I bet its similar to a MB, If clutch is engaged- the MB will not crank. 3 things will allow you to crank but not fire:
1) Kill switch not engaged grounding the coils
2) Oil Pressure solenoid tripped grounding the coils
3) Stock Carb Solenoid not engaging and blocking fuel (make sure this is connected)

If you turn the key and hear the stock carb solenoid click then its probably not #3. You can unhook the Oil Pressure solenoid and see if it fires to eliminate #2. Then use the link I sent in that other post and go look at the MB wiring diagram (which includes the full Briggs motor diagram) and re-check all your switch connections. The next thing to try would be to remove the cowling and disconnect the ground wires to the coils. See if it starts (NOTE you will have to choke it or remove the plug wires to kill it, as the switch or kill switch will not turn it off with those wires disconnected). Be careful of the fan and don't run it long without the cowling.

has to be a wiring problem, the strter just winds and winds but the motor does not fire