Need Help with starting issue, Kymco People 50 2-stroke

[Nathan77]

Ok, I've had my 2001 People 50 for about a year now. Last month after sitting for about a month the scooter was having issues starting. After doing lots of research I decided to finally rebuild and clean the carb. Everything went well and after I put everything back together the scooter started fine. However now I have to constantly "tweak" the scooter to get it to start after sitting over night or for more than an hour or so.

My wife mainly uses it for work and she is pretty much ready to get rid of it so I need some help. It won't start (electric or kick) unless I adjust the airflow screw. I don't know any other "quick fixes" to get it to start but this always works. I've looked up how to adjust the airflow screw and throttle screw and have done everything I know how to get it right. The thing is even after I adjust everything (airflow and throttle screw ) to where it seems perfect, it still won't start after sitting over night.

What confuses me is that the airflow screw needs to be adjusted to different positions each time, its never consistent. I'm at a loss with what to do next. Once I get it started it runs beautifully and will start fine again if its within 15 minutes or so. Any longer and I have to mess with it to get it to start. So, before my wife kills me and gets rid of the bike please help me. Thanks in advance.

[Shaka]

Sounds like it could be the auto choke.  The resisance should be no more than 5 ohms between the green and yellow wire.  At least on my zx50, I think they are all about the same though.  I would check that first!

[Nathan77]

Thanks for the reply. Now how would I go about checking that and where exactly are those particular wires located? Thanks again.

[Shaka]

The auto choke is located on the carb.  It should be a black plastic piece which plugs into the top of the carb.  It has two wires coming out of it.  It should be easy to spot as it is the only wires running to the carb.  If you follow those wires, it should have a plug connector about 1' - 1.5' down.  Unplug the connector and test by putting the probes of a voltmeter on them.  Put the voltmeter in the ohm setting.  It has a little ohm symbol on mine.  It should be no more than 5.

[Nathan77]

OK, finally checked the autochoke. The reading was less than 5 ohm (around 1.5 from what I could tell) Is that too low or is that o.k? Also do I need to let the bike run for a while first and then take the reading or does it not matter?

Aside from the autochoke (since it seems fine) what other things can I check? If all else fails I guess I'll take the carburetor apart again and see if that helps. I'm really at a loss here so any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

[Mike N]

If the engine has been stopped for atleast 10 minutes the resistans should be less than 5 ohms if the unit is OK. With other words it should be ok.
My Kymco had the same symptoms when the HT lead was broken ,inside, close to the spark plug cap. I cut off 20 mms of the cable and screwed the cap back on and the moped has been working for 2000 km since. (Parden my english)

[Nathan77]

Interesting. How were you able to tell that it was broken in there? Is there something you recommend that I look for?

[Shaka]

You can check the continuity btwn the two connectors on the coil.  It should be 0.153 - 0.187Ω.  You can also check the continuity through.  One probe on either of the spade connectors and one in the end of the wire ( where it connects to the spark plug).  It should be 6.99 - 10.21KΩ (with the plug cap)  and 3.24 - 3.96KΩ (without the cap).  Measure it first with the cap on.  If the resistance is higher than it should be, remove the cap by unscrewing it and measure again without it.  This will tell you if the coil is the cuprit, or just the cap.  I did this and ended up replacing the cap.  Just my cap had 20Ω by itself! 

[Nathan77]

O.K. I haven't checked the resitance of the wires yet, but I did go out and quickly mess with the bike. As always it wouldn't start so this time I took off the spark plug cover and pushed/twisted the spark plug wire and cap a little and sure enough it fired right up after a little messing around. So, I'm thinking that's the issue. I'll verify it later when I have more time to take it apart a little.

My question though is, where can I get a replacement spark plug cap and wire? Will any standard motorcycle/scooter one work from autozone or do I need to special order one from a website or specialty shop?

Thanks again for all your help guys. I feel like I'm finally figuring this problem out.

[Shaka]

I got a new NGK cap at my local honda/kymco dealer.  It was about $6.  I just took the old one with me to make sure.  It is a very universal part though.  I don't think you can change just the wire, I'm pretty sure it is part of the coil.  Could be wrong though. 

[Nathan77]

Just wanted to say thanks again to everyone for helping me. I tested the ignition coil and it's definitlly giving me high readings all around (coil, cap, through coil & cap). I'm going to go ahead and just order a new coil and cap and hopefully everything will be good from here on out. I am having a little trouble tracking down the part though so if anyone knows of where to get it (out of state doesn't matter as long as they ship to FL) then please let me know. I'm checking with a local shop now to see if they can get it for me but I'm not to sure if they can.

Thanks again.

[zombie]

kingstarscooters@yahoo.com

[Nathan77]

Just in case anyone else has this issue I thought I'd mention that I did get the new ignition coil in (my local shop had one luckily) everything seems to be working great. It starts right up even after sitting for a while now. Thanks again for everyone's help and hopefully this thread will help someone else in the future.