Click sound during start attempts - Kymco People 150

[frogseatflies]

My scooter started doing a click sound during starting attempts in the last week.   It'll eventually start, (it may be after 1 click attempt... or maybe 5 clicks), but I'm guessing that one day it won't start.

The battery is pretty new, and is fully charged.

I've uploaded a video so you can see and hear it for yourselves!  Let me know what you think is the problem.

See video:


Thanks!

[eamartin]

Sounds like something is not making contact, intermittently.  Bad or corroded starter switch or starter relay?

[hypophthalmus]

The click sound is the starter solenoid. It's always there, but normally drowned out by the starter.

It could be that the solenoid isn't making good internal contact, so try jumping it with a screwdriver and see if it starts reliably that way.

If not, check your wiring: check for tight, clean connections. Then voltage drop test.  If the wiring checks out, the starter is going bad.

[frogseatflies]

More information as I've been riding it more since the first post.   It seems to start when on the center stand (with no friction against the rear tire) as opposed to starting not on the center stand.  It's like it likes to start if the rear tire is free spinning.

Does that sound like wiring or starter issues?

[eamartin]

Could be.  I'd check voltage at every point downstream of the battery in the starting system, including the battery connections.

[frogseatflies]

I replaced the starter and that did NOT fix the problem.  I figured even if it wasn't the starter, the starter will probably fail at some point so might as well replace it.

Now I'll try checking the voltage and the wires and various other tests as the gentlemen suggested above.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Starts OK on center stand....but not on side stand?
How fast is the tire spinning when started on center stand?
Info on the scoot please....
Miles on the scooter  and CVT system (belt, rollers, etc.)?
Any recent work done to CVT?
Stig

[frogseatflies]

Starts OK on center stand....but not on side stand?
How fast is the tire spinning when started on center stand?
Info on the scoot please....
Miles on the scooter  and CVT system (belt, rollers, etc.)?
Any recent work done to CVT?
Stig

2007 Kymco People 150.

UPDATE:  The condition has degraded as now it won't start at all... and sometimes I won't hear the clicking noise either.
When it was starting the wheel wasn't spinning hardly at all if any when on the center stand.  It would not start while on the side stand (or while sitting on it).

No work has been done to the CVT but I'm about to do some work to it once my variator holding tool comes in.

Today I'm going to dig into the wires and do some testing.  I don't know as much about it so that's why I haven't dove into that part yet.  I'll let you know what I find.

[frogseatflies]

UPDATE:  I just jumped the solenoid and it started up nicely.

What's my next step?  Replace the solenoid?  Or...

[stuo]

Before replacing the solenoid disconnect the wires to it and clean the contacts with a wire brush, looking for corrosion. If that doesn't work replace the solenoid. When the solenoid clicks but it won't crank that's a pretty good sign it's bad...or the starter motor is bad...or not enough electricity is being supplied (dirty contacts, weak battery). The spinning rear wheel is not an issue.

The side stand has a cut-off switch: it's not supposed to start with it down.

[frogseatflies]

SOLVED

I replaced the solenoid and the scooter has been starting like a champ!

(Btw – I inspected the contacts of the old one and they all looked very good.)

[stuo]

Good on you, mate.

[Viper254]

Seems that Kymco has a real issue with starter solenoids.

[Stig / Major Tom]

SOLVED

I replaced the solenoid and the scooter has been starting like a champ!

(Btw – I inspected the contacts of the old one and they all looked very good.)

Frogseat,
Thankyou very much for posting your solved comment.
This helps others sort their issue as well.
Thanks for taking the time to inform us!!
Stig