84 gas exciter coil remove and replace?

[dirtman]

How difficult is it to remove an old exciter coil and install a new one in an 84 gas club car? Any tips?

[golfcartg]

If the exciter coil is faulty, you might notice that the engine is difficult to start, and once it does start, it may exhibit consistent misfiring or stalling, particularly when the engine is under load. Unlike carburetor issues, which often cause problems such as poor fuel mixture and erratic idle, a failing exciter coil typically results in erratic spark delivery or no spark at all, causing persistent performance issues. If you find that the engine fails to maintain a steady idle or runs unevenly but these symptoms are intermittent and not linked to fuel delivery, it’s a strong indication that the exciter coil might be the culprit. To verify, you can test the exciter coil’s resistance with a multimeter, if it falls outside the specified range or shows open circuits, it confirms that the coil is likely the problem.

Removing and replacing the exciter coil can be a bit involved, primarily because the flywheel and flywheel cover need to come off. Although it’s not entirely impossible to perform the job with the engine still in the cart, it’s generally more straightforward to pull the engine out to give yourself better access.

First, you’ll need to remove the flywheel cover, which is located on the side of the engine. This cover shields the flywheel from dirt and debris. Removing it involves unbolting a few screws or bolts. Once the cover is off, you’ll see the flywheel, which needs to be removed next which generates the magnetic field that powers the exciter coil, so you’ll need to pull it off to access the coil.

To pull the flywheel, you'll typically use a flywheel puller tool. This tool is designed to grip the flywheel securely and apply even pressure to remove it from the crankshaft. Attach the puller to the flywheel using the appropriate bolts, then turn the central bolt on the puller to gradually separate the flywheel from the crankshaft. Make sure the puller is centered and that you apply steady pressure to avoid damaging the flywheel or the crankshaft.

Once the flywheel is off, you can access the exciter coil. Remove the old coil and install the new one, making sure its properly aligned and securely tigntened. Reassemble the flywheel and cover in the reverse order. While it’s probably possible to replace the exciter coil with the engine in, removing it or at least pulling it partway out will make the job much easier.