won't start after sitting for a month

[jansenc]

Hello all, first time posting here and I'm a complete noob and not very mechanically inclined, but I'd like to learn. Like I said, my 2013 Kymco Like 200i sat for a little while during the coldest part of Southern California winter (not very cold at all, probably down to 45 at night). 3 weeks to be exact and no, I did not winterize it. (Stupid me.) I tried to start it, but got nothing. It didn't crank, no dash lights coming on (apart from the clock), no horn, no lights functioned. Just the sad click of the electric start. The one noise it does make is if the key is in the on position, and the Engine stop switch is off, there's this rapid clicking coming from somewhere.

I bought a battery tender and charged up the battery. Stuck it back in, still no results.

It sat for those 3 weeks with a nearly full tank of gas.

I'd like to try and get this going myself. I read that i should siphon the gas and put in a fresh gallon along with some seafoam. I also read that i should try to "clean out the carburetor". Trying to start the scoot with the help of the battery tender was another option. Any thoughts? Thanks in advanced.

[Vivo]

No crank, no lights, dead battery... you said you charged the battery but still won't crank? Somethings definitely wrong with the battery... or battery connections if there's no cranking...

[AMAC1680]

No crank, no lights, dead battery... you said you charged the battery but still won't crank? Somethings definitely wrong with the battery... or battery connections if there's no cranking...

Yep what he said.
Hold off on siphoning the fuel thats premature. Have the batt checked or replaced start her up dump in some seafoam and go.

Be Big,
AMAC

[Stig / Major Tom]

a 3 week sit at 45 deg.F in Calif.  = BATTERY! (OR KILL Switch is in "off" position ~!)
Pop the 3 screws out of the battery cover (black foot board area) check and tighten/clean battery posts and wire ends) put that tender back on to recharge battery.
Nothing the matter with your fuel or "carb" (you don't have one - you have fuel injection)
99% it is the battery or battery connections on your new scoot.
Let us know......better minds here than mine - we'll get you through this!
Stig

[jansenc]

Hey thanks for the suggestions! I'll take my battery in to the shop and see what they say. Grab some seafoam and see what happens.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Hey thanks for the suggestions! I'll take my battery in to the shop and see what they say. Grab some seafoam and see what happens.

"Engine stop switch is off"......just for the heck of it, try this kill switch in the other position. (I for one, can't tell what those emblems means on this scoot....but I know I once tried to start it for 20mins with the kill switch in the wrong position. Flipped the switch and it started  angrily and instantly!)
And just one more IMHO (not tech savy - I'm assuming this means "In my humble opinion")
I have NEVER winterized a mower or snow blower or ANY small gas-engine device - and have NEVER had a "clogged carb" or "varnished up carb" or any starting issue come spring! (if "winterized" means -  draining gas, adding stabilizer to the gas, etc .....zip, nada, nothing ever done to the gas tank, EVER!) Talking 20 years here of doing this. Check the dipstick, Choke it, prime it and bam, starts every time.
I know, this flies in the face of all Scooterdom.
The only time I've ever used Sea Foam is before taking my 25 yr old 200,000 mile VW in for an E-Check.
Stig

[TroutBum]

Last winter my Like did the same thing. I live in NorCal where the winters are mild. Anyway, after sitting a couple of weeks I tried to start the scooter but the starter just made a slight attempt and stopped. Pulled the battery and the dealer charged it and tested it under load. It failed. They had me come back the next day as it was close to closing time to pickup a replacement. Went back the next day got the new battery and installed it. Same thing happened. I called the dealer and they had me come in. They recharged the battery and tested it under load and like the first battery it failed. They threw up their hands and said the OEM batteries are junk and handed my a Yuasa brand under warranty and it has been working like a champ ever since. This year the nighttime lows have been down in the 30s and sometimes the 20s with no ill effect on the battery.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Last winter my Like did the same thing. I live in NorCal where the winters are mild. Anyway, after sitting a couple of weeks I tried to start the scooter but the starter just made a slight attempt and stopped. Pulled the battery and the dealer charged it and tested it under load. It failed. They had me come back the next day as it was close to closing time to pickup a replacement. Went back the next day got the new battery and installed it. Same thing happened. I called the dealer and they had me come in. They recharged the battery and tested it under load and like the first battery it failed. They threw up their hands and said the OEM batteries are junk and handed my a Yuasa brand under warranty and it has been working like a champ ever since. This year the nighttime lows have been down in the 30s and sometimes the 20s with no ill effect on the battery.

Well, there you go!
Thanks troutbum....
lucky person living in N.CA ....snowed here yesterday and more last night...temps in the teens. You know, I never really was envious of people who did not get snow - until I bought this scooter!!
I'm going to go lift my battery to see what kind is in there...as I get a start sometimes as though a giant is holding the starter stopped - then lets go. My new battery tender goes green & says my battery is fine.....but that's not testing it under load.
Stig

[91cavgt]

Well, there you go!
Thanks troutbum....
lucky person living in N.CA ....snowed here yesterday and more last night...temps in the teens. You know, I never really was envious of people who did not get snow - until I bought this scooter!!
I'm going to go lift my battery to see what kind is in there...as I get a start sometimes as though a giant is holding the starter stopped - then lets go. My new battery tender goes green & says my battery is fine.....but that's not testing it under load.
Stig

Over the last few days, my Like has been doing the same thing when trying to start it after it is hot.  I'm thinking my battery may also be thinking about taking a permanent vacation.