Author Topic: Electric Starter Problem  (Read 1859 times)

gtexan

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Electric Starter Problem
« on: August 21, 2008, 04:12:32 PM »
Last night when I tried to start my scooter, I got no response at all from the starter.  Usually you have to hold down the left brake to connect the starter, and then press the starter to star the scooter.  If you don't press the left brake, there is no connection between the starter and the electrical system.  Last night, even though I was pressing the left brake (and the stop light was turning on) I got no power to my starter switch.  No noise, no anything. 

I put the battery into a tender and let it charge, and then put it back in my scooter.  The turn signals worked fine.  The lights worked fine.  The stop light worked fine.  I don't think its a dead battery (although the battery IS having problems holding a charge).   Still no noise at all from the starter.

I was pretty frustrated and tried pressing the starter button quickly to see if eventually it would do anything.  After maybe 10-15 presses, the scooter started.   I let it sit overnight, and tried it again this morning.  It started easily on the first press.  Weird, right?  Any ideas?  Loose connection maybe?

kawzak

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Re: Electric Starter Problem
« Reply #1 on: August 22, 2008, 01:19:53 AM »
Hello,Gtexan-lets find somethings out here, first where it may be a loose connection, it may also be carbon on the starter button contacts. You didn't list the milage, but you can try this if the contacts are the problem-wrap a rag around the right handle bar controls (where the starter button is) get a can of WD-40 and nozzle, a small flashlight and spray the WD-40 in and around the starter button, while you push the button in, let out,etc. If it's too tight or looks like your not getting any in there, you may need to take off the cover. Spray the area at the base of the button going into the housing, some of the WD-40 should make it's way in there. Wait a few minutes, wipe off all extra WD-40-blow with some canned compressed air to blow out excess. Push the button a few more times (key off) let sit a while. Then try to start normally. If it starts  consistantly the next few days, you probably found the culprit. If not you may need to check the starter solinoid terminals, battery terminals for corrosion-and maybe a bad connection at the ground cable where it bolts to the engine or frame. You didn't say what scooter you have-I have seen where the paint on the frame where the ground cable was bolted to needed to be scraped off-the paint was acting like an insulator. Hope this helps.

gtexan

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Re: Electric Starter Problem
« Reply #2 on: August 22, 2008, 01:33:43 PM »
Wow!! You are a genius!  I actually managed to just try it using compressed air and pressing the starter a few times.  After a few clicks and a few sprays, it started right up and has been working ever since.  Thanks!!

kawzak

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Re: Electric Starter Problem
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2008, 01:48:09 AM »
No, not a genius-just a lot of chasing problems on vechicles for 40yrs. Glad I could help.

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