grand vista won't start

[tomsnott]

I bought a 2009 grand vista recently  and love it. The other morning I tried to start it and nothing ,just a click and no turning over. Then it just started. Well this morning the same thing but it wouldn't start. The lights are bright and the horn sounds strong so I'm not sure what to do. Any ideas would be helpful. I just got a new helmet and gloves and want to ride so please....HELP!

[tortoise]

Any ideas would be helpful.

What's the point . . if you lack the aptitude to test the battery, comprehend the starting circuit, and troubleshoot with a multi-meter?  Have you even taken the initiative to reference a service manual?

[Charlie P]

Be sure battery cables are tight and battery has about 12.5 volts or more , be sure side stand is up, be sure you are depressing one or both brake levers when you press starter button.

[MaryK]

If the 2009 scooter has the original battery, it is probably worn out.   Batteries last 3 to 5 yrs.
To test it, charge it fully and take to an auto parts store that will test the battery under load (usually free service).

To charge it, you will need a low current (less than 2 amp) charger.  Most owners buy a battery maintainer which can do the charging and keep the battery charged during low usage months (winter).  A basic Schumacher maintainer at Wal Mart is $20.
Sears often has them on sale for the same price.  Harbor Freight sells one even cheaper.

The maintainer comes with a pigtail that you permanently attach to the battery terminals.  Then there is  a 2 wire connector that connects to the maintainer.  So it can be easily attached and detached.

The clicking sound that you hear is probably the starter relay being brought to the ON position, but the battery does not have the capacity to actually energize the starter motor.  If the battery is good or with a good replacement battery, you continue to have the same problem, then there are other places to look, but an old tired battery is the most likely.

Scoot safely,

[Vivo]

Could also be the starter relay since the lights and horns are strong...

[tomsnott]

Thanks for the quick responses, I'll try your suggestions.
And thanks "tortoise" for the negative comment, I thought this may have been an issue others have had-sorry to bother you, I'm surprised you even took effort to answer such a dumb question.

[AMAC1680]

Thanks for the quick responses, I'll try your suggestions.
And thanks "tortoise" for the negative comment, I thought this may have been an issue others have had-sorry to bother you, I'm surprised you even took effort to answer such a dumb question.

Don't let "the turtle" bother you. Just doing what the turtle does.
That said I have to tell you over time I have kind of grown a love-hate with the tortoise!

Be Big,
AMAC

[Stig / Major Tom]

Reminds me of the grumpy kid with the pocket protector full of pens.
They grow up and carry a multimeter in the same place.
At least 2 ways to look at things:
1) Everyone is doing & trying their best..........
2) This guy has a lot of relatives.........


There are no dumb questions, here.
For Pete's Sake, I'm riding a big blue and white plastic scooter in 14 degree weather, in traffic - while the new car sits in a warm garage. How smart is that?
Stig

[tomsnott]

Had the battery checked and they said it was okay but needed to be charged which I did. Tried to start it the next day after 24 hours of charging and still "click" like it was not getting a good enough contact to start. Brought it back to the store and they told me it had charged but not fully and they offered to charged it for me. But when I got back and hooked it up, just the same "click". So it looks like I'll probably have to bring it to the shop because even though I've been riding a scoot for a long time, I'm still not mechanically inclined to figure it out. But thanks for the help and I don't worry about negative people too much I just thought sites like this were for the mechanically uninclined.

[tortoise]

Jumpstart videos.

[Charlie P]

Sure sounds like your battery is bad even after having it checked and they said it was weak then charging it for 24 hours and no-start and re-charging and no-start.  From an earlier reply I made -12.5 volts is NOT fully charged it just generally needs to be at least that to crank.

I had a car battery do exactly the same thing-  key was it would NEVER really ever stay at full charge but for a few minutes after charging but even then wouldn't crank.  I could jump start it and it would run and re-start immediately after I shut it off but then 2 minutes later it wouldn't.  Try and hook up a known good battery taking yours completely out of the equation and see what happens.


Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[MaryK]

I would buy a new battery before paying a garage for repair.
As stated earlier, I expect it is as old as the scooter and due repalcing.

Scoot safely,

[mverps]

please keep us updated on the cause and cure.
thanks Mike

[Rudolf]

Try connecting a car battery to the bike's electrical system respecting the polarity and if it doesn't start even with that battery, with the same clicking noise, than it must be the brushes/coils of the starter motor, or maybe the starter relay witch doesn't close the circuit for the starter motor; or a loose/corroded contact from the starter motor. Check the nuts holding the cables from the starter motor attached to the starter relay.

[mrbios]

Battery Info:

1. Modern charging systems produce AC  and that is rectified into DC.   A vehicle cannot and will not run with a battery that is completely dead - even if you try to jump start it or the scoot has a kick starter.  Old vehicles (pre 1960?) with a generator (not an alternator) which generate DC current will start if jumped even if the battery is totally dead.

2. If your battery holds any charge but your not sure if it is "strong enough" as in this case where tomsnott just hears a click - Jump it with a car to save the time and frustration of going back and forth to get the battery checked or putting it on a slow charger etc.  This rules out the battery right away and lets you move on to the real problem. 

3. People often gravitate towards simple replacements rather than facing up to the real problem(s).  The force themselves through a cycle of denial, replacing parts where nothing is wrong or doing maintenance that should have been done all along, mechanical voodoo & paranoia.  Finally, they either sell the vehicle, give up or deal with the actual problem.

4. If you put your scoot up for the winter as I did when I lived in CT then add stabilizer to the gas and if you can take the battery out and put it in the basement on a block of wood.  Or use a battery maintainer as MaryK described you can but them at Harbor freight online or HFT store very cheaply and they will work for a car, tractor, etc.