As for the stuck handle my guess would be, since the scoot was warm any snow falling would melt maybe flowing into the cable for the rear brake. As it cooled down the water froze. Most likely the entire length is ice inside. I believe it is the rear brake lever that controls the safety interlock to the electric starter. My thought being the interlock could also be frozen. I don't really understand how the starter will turn if the interlock is frozen but there may be something else compounding the problem. May also be condensation formed in the warm carb, that settled to the bottom freezing on the jets. Could you bring the scoot inside for 5-6 hours? Maybe just a good de-frosting will do it.
Hi Zombie,
it is not just the rear brake that can actuate the electric circuitry to start the enginer via microswitch, it is EITHER front or rear brake pressed.
In the old scooters, it was just rear brake (for example, on my 1999 Peugeot Zenith), but on all Kymcos and almost all other scoots it is either lever.
The problem is that front brake lever works normally (as I said, you can see rear light being turned on, indicating that microswitch is functional). Also, when I press the start button, nothing happens and while starter button is pressed, when I still holding it press the front brake, the starter can be heard! This means that this circuitry is functional and something else is wrong.
It is possible that there is water in the carb that is frozen, but temperature has been below 0 for a few days and there were no problems. Also the scooter drives excellent and there are no symptoms that would indicate problems with water in the carb cup.
Also I do not understand frozen rear brake cable as it is new and not damaged.
Furthermore, I am pissed because I think there might be something wrong with the throttle as it feels kinda strange and does not return to neutral position.
Like you said, I will wait until it gets warmer. Major weather change is anticipated for mid next week.
I hate when scooters break down so much that they cannot be driven because I always have problems finding the way to transport them as there are no specialized tow services for bikes and believe it or not, shops that repair scooters do not provide such service here but leave it to you even if you would want to pay for the service.
I even have problems finding out somebody who will change tires on my scoots because morons usually do not want to work on scoots because it means dealing with two more screws (front disc calipers and few screws that hold exhaust pipe). I literally have to beg around to have my tires changed.
I hope that all meat eating quadripeds in your household are doing fine.