Cold start problem and other issues.

[PiotrKymco]

Hello everone. Its been a longtime and many scooters in my life before I do come back to Kymco, now Kymko Xciting 500i R ABS 2014. I bought it not working with crankin engine that wont start. I pull up a cam chain cover and see badly worn ex cam chain. Have change it for originalKymco. So one problem solved. Engine fired up with some problems about which a bit later.
I had a issue with ABS that start flashing when accelrate (weird feeling) but browsing the forumI did found the problem: rectifier. Idling was 13,5v but when accelrate rise up to 17v!! Order new rectifier, waiting to replace. But coming back to other issue: very bad starting issue. It is about 5-10 celcius. When I press start button (new battery installed) it firmly cranks and fire up like want to start but than dies.This procedure has to be repeated for few seconds like 6 times. Than when starts idling and warms up a bit, all come back to normal. THis is annoying. Before I do start  randomly looking for problem I ask you friends to share with me your opinion.
Piotr

Forgot few informations: ignition coil was faulty, is new now. Still have faulty codes : 33, 37 and 49 injestor was cleaned, just in case but that codes still exists.

[Ruffus]

@PiotrKymco welcome here!
Your mentioned present problems are well known by suffering XC 500i owners....
If you go back a couple of years in this 500 tread you will find, all this stuff already seen and partially solved.
Starting issues at low temps, after changing camshaft, mostly caused by weak battery.
Maybe have a look at link beneath.

https://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=33615.0

[PiotrKymco]

Thanks Ruffus.
Charging system and rectifier i handle already. The main problem I have is cold engine start up. It firmly cranks and fire up like want to start but when release start button ...stops. And that is like, as I mention, about 6 times. When warm starts up usually ok. Maybe some chocke problem? But do not know where to start looking for.

[Ruffus]

Hmmmh, only way to test this:
- METIN box out
- jump cables from a real good batte6ry or car
- starts now, your battery (even a new one) is done

This 500i really needs a FULL FULL battery (big 20amps)
Changed mine to lithium bat, no probs at 3-5° C to start.
-oil should be a 5W-40 full synthetic
-valve adjustment has to be very accurate

Automatic choke is not easy to adjust without KYMCO diagnostic tool.
Do NOT mess around with airflow system!

Note: KYMCO Europe was aware of this starting prob from beginning at this 500i motors, and:
-changed / updated ECU for free
-changed camshaft for free
-changed starter motor for free
-changed battery to UVX 500 batt for free
all this measures didn't help at all.
Only cure was/is, keep your bat on a tricklecharger every night or put a lithium bat with minimum 20 amps. Thin synt oil helps too.

[darkshvein]

This 500i really needs a FULL FULL battery (big 20amps)

yes, I confirm this "bug".
to Topicstarter:
Please read my thread below.
Try replace accu. Check start after 2-3 days battery in warm place. 99% cause that battery.

[Stig / Major Tom]

This scooter has THE worst reputation  on this forum!
Ruffus' post is a first for me....
I never recall reading that owners were offered any fixes by Kymco itself.
The owners with recurring, unsolvable problems - were in N.America and Australia.
'Fixes' were bandaids, at best.

Stig

[darkshvein]

This scooter has THE worst reputation  on this forum!

Mister, I'm inclined to agree with that.
Now Kymco Co have released only One next flagship - AK550.
Not 2 models, not 3 models. I consider the s400 a step back.
But at the same time, Kymco immediately gave up on supporting the xciting 500i. I call the authorized dealer and ask for a belt or rear brake assembly. The dealer replies that they are out of stock.
I consider this a very short support time - when you release only 1 next flagship, but there are no more parts for the previous one. Let's compared with Yamaha Tmax. Yamaha releases Tmax 560 and forgets about parts for Tmax 530? The problem is not the length of time. The problem is the lack of support for the previous flagship. I would understand if there were the previous, previous, previous 10 flagship models. But there is only one. 
I was also severely deceived by the official Kymco service in Turkey, the city of Adana. I am writing letters of complaint about the official service to the main office in Istanbul. Turkish and English. Then to the main office kymcoglobal@mail.kymco.com. But they don't answer. It's not a problem. It is very unpleasant that there is not even a formal reply “we have received your letter” “we are very sorry.” Just silence.

[Ruffus]

Well, over the years there has been a lot of things said about this 500i.
BOTTOMLINE:
Have a big enough and charged enough battery, plug it in overnight or change to a LiFePo4 battery, thin syntetic oil in it and your 500i will start anytime, if not neclected/ abused otherwise.

IMHO is a certain lack of basic technical understanding the main issue why this scooter is not a beloved one within the KYMCO community.
As soon as one understands that a certain motor needs a certain energy to start, many things are clear.

Further down a pic from a "homemade" problem discussed hundred times on this forum, sheared off outer front CVT drive in a Xciting 400.
Unqualified shop mechanics or owner themselves tinker with parts which function they don't understand. Happened recently.

BTW: Xciting 500/500i can by no means be compared with an AK 550, nothing in common except from Kymco, not the motor, not the drivedrain and not suspension system.

Spare parts here in Europe are a minor problem for this scoot. Belts, whole brake systems, tupperware, windshields, all availlable within ten days from order. Many parts second hand, inexpensive.

Might have to do with a bigger market, more of this type around. I can only say, it depends highly on local dealerships engagement/will, how you are supported.

Pls see also link beneath

www.Zzip.de
There is a lot written in this matter.

[Iahawk]

logical, well reasoned comment and explanation, Ruffus. Thanks.

[Stig / Major Tom]

European owners are fortunate......nevertheless the 500 scooter remains THE most problematic Kymco on both English speaking continents.
And as always, some enjoy the challenge, others prefer to ride.
Stig

[wymple]

I would be thrilled if my 500 started in 5-6 tries in cold weather. Try 50.  Maybe...I tried every trick in the book without much luck. Above 60* it starts instantly & once it's warmed up it's fine the rest of the day even in colder weather.  It never misses a beat.  A really good battery is not an option, it's a requirement. I stuffed in the biggest battery I could physically get in there, it's the only improvement I ever found. Truth is I no longer ride below 60* anyway, so not a problem.

[Ruffus]

@wymple, reason for not starting in cold temps is the drop of voltage during revving, which your electronic injection system cannot digest and simply refuses to produce enough energy to create a high tension, needed to spark.

Solution: buy a small LiFePo4 battery (12V~ 9-12amps)
connect it parralel to your Bb battery (in front of your present batt within METIN box) and you will not have starting probs anymore.
Stator produces enough for both batteries.

I know this all are makeshift solutions and KYMCO should have considered changing from carb to injection system with all escorting probs, but if there is an inexpensive solution, why not going this way (pls see pic).
AND: Don't we need challenges, do we?

[wymple]

Thanks Ruffus.
Charging system and rectifier i handle already. The main problem I have is cold engine start up. It firmly cranks and fire up like want to start but when release start button ...stops. And that is like, as I mention, about 6 times. When warm starts up usually ok. Maybe some chocke problem? But do not know where to start looking for.

6 times? I'd settle for that

[wymple]

I'm going to wire in a 2nd battery.  I refuse to dance around a borderline battery issue.

[Neil955i]

@Ruffus if I may say, that's a genius suggestion!  Pragmatic and in the photo shown, elegantly engineered.  You've earned a cappuccino!