Starting problems

[Georgelock]

Hello I have a kymco super 8 2t 50cc and have problems starting recently! Every time I try start it through electric start it only clicks once from the starter solenoid. I changed battery to a brand new one but does same thing? I have tapped starter motor but still nothing happens and still only a single click. Does anyone know the problem and how I could test the starter solenoid and starter motor and whatever else it might be? Thanks

[CROSSBOLT]

Bad ground.

Karl

[Georgelock]

Don't fully understand what you mean??

[CROSSBOLT]

Most of these scoots are wired very much the same. From the battery the negative is grounded at the frame and the engine. Also there is a common ground for all electrical systems and switches, usually a stack of terminal lugs on a frame stud. All of these grounds use the frame and engine for one side of the various circuits. Things do not work when one or more of these points are loose or corroded.

Karl

[Georgelock]

Okay and where do I find all of this your talking about?

[CROSSBOLT]

Have you tried to kick start it?

First, go to where ever the battery is and make sure the connections are clean and tightand the battery voltage with nothing turned on is about 12.5 volts minimum.

Karl

[Georgelock]

When I kick start nothing happens it wants to go but every does and I will get my battery checked but again it's brand new, the connection are a tad rusty but still that shouldn't stop it, I gave the starter motor a tap last night but still didn't start, I have ordered a new starter solenoid as that may be the problem but I'm no expert so I don't know, the starter motor is at the bottom of the bike, could it be that? It has sat outside for the last year and has been cold and wet, I have a new cover delievered today to stop damp getting in it for a week then I will try again but I'm sti not sure, any other suggestions! Someone in this forum must've had the same problem?

George

[eamartin]

Crossbolt's suggestions are sound.  You must have clean connections to get maximum results from a new battery.  Given that your bike "sat outside for the last year and has been cold and WET", corrosion must be a consideration here.  Given that "the connection are a tad rusty", you should clean the visibly rusty connections and look for others.  I would use 80-150 grit sandpaper on the cable terminals which attach to the battery, cleaning both sides until they are clean of corrosion.  It's cold here today (19degrees F), but I will look for the location of the frame ground on my super 8 and let you know where it is located, if I can find it.

[Georgelock]

Okay thank you very much, be in contact either over this or email me at georgebtl@hotmail.co.uk

[eamartin]

Georgelock,  It would appear that in order to find the frame ground, panels must be removed.  From the battery box, the ground wire seems to go down to the right and forward.  It's getting colder here and I will not (refuse to) go out and start removing panels.  Sorry.  But....did you clean the wire terminals at the battery as was suggested?  Do you own a meter with which to do simple electrical diagnosis? 

[Georgelock]

No I'm yet to clean the terminals and also I don't have anything to check the voltage of the battery