Another "she won't start" cry for help......

[JDB]

Hell all! I'm new to the scooter world and my Kymco Peoples 150cc scooter. I've had her for about a year with no problems. I recently had her sitting for 2 weeks and when I went to fire her up, she wouldn't start. I'm not super technical and I don't have a way to get her to a mechanic since she doesn't run so I feel super stuck and hoping that this forum can help.
I had the key in start position and the dash instruments lite up just fine. When I tried to start her, the dash flickered and there was some attempt by the engine to turn over, but she never fully started. I tried to trickle charge the battery overnight, but that seemed to make it worse because now when I put the key in start position the dash lights up, but when I try to turn over the engine, the panel goes dark. It seems so odd that letting her sit would affect anything other than the battery?
I read in past posts to change the spark plug, but I have NO idea how to do that or even where to source said spark plug. I watched a YouTube video on how to do it on an Expresso model, but mine looks different under the seat and I'm unsure how to access the engine (or even if that's the problem). I do remember that awhile back when I let her sit for awhile, I had the same problem but after a day of fussing realized the kill switch was in the wrong position and once I remedied that, she started right up. Felt stupid, but at least that was an easy solution.  Not this time though.....
Any suggestions (dummed down as much as possible) would mean the world to me.
Thank you!
Jen

[Neil955i]

Welcome to the forum JDB.  Last one of these we had, it was the kill switch, but as you've already ruled that out...  I'm going to go out on a limb here and agree with your diagnosis that the first place to start should be the battery.  If you'd spent hours on here like me (sad case I know), then you'd be aware that Kymcos are notoriously sensitive to the state of the battery when it comes to starting issues.

What year is your People and do you know when the battery was last changed?  Anything over 3 years ago and I'd start by putting a new one in.  If you have the kit & knowledge to test the battery with a multi-meter you could check this out before even shelling out on a new battery!

There will be others along soon way more expert than me to offer advice so it'll be interesting to solve this and see what the cause is.  Good luck with it.

[Stig / Major Tom]

New battery gets my vote!

Stig

[mrmike]

    JDB

        I don't know where you live, but here in central New York, we have a store called Battery World. They will fully test your battery for you. I'd bet your local auto parts store may also offer this service. I also would start there.

[Iahawk]

yes, more than likely a bad battery...but you can take a look at your battery cables to make sure they are attached tightly to the battery, for starters. If you have a multi meter...ok, if you buy a cheap multi meter you can test your battery voltage. Plenty of youtube videos on using a multi meter to test a battery, or come back here and ask for specifics.

If you do remove your battery please remove the negative (black) cable first, then remove the positive (red). When you reinstall, do it in the reverse...first attach the positive then attach the negative. Be sure to fully charge a new battery, too, before use.

Be sure to let us know what happens.

[JDB]

Omg, you guys are great! Some follow up questions and responses....

-My Kymco is a 2022 and I bought her new in May of 2023, so the battery should still be fine, right?

-Wouldn't trickle charging the battery for 12 hours give it enough juice to turn over or do scooter batteries not work like car batteries?

-However, that being said (if I remember correctly) when she's running happily the battery was at 14.4, but when the dash flickered for those few hopeful moments, it was at 11 something.

-I read a post about the kill switch being the issue, and that one said that they WD40'd the switch because they thought it might be stuck. My switch moves freely between on and off, so I haven't tried that but it couldn't hurt to try...?

-It looks like my next step should be picking up a volt meter to at least rule in or out the battery being the culprit.

-Oh, and I'm on the west coast, but I do have a battery place locally so hopefully I can source one there if that's the issue

[Iahawk]

I would really start with getting a cheap multi meter (useful tool to have around) and test your battery voltage. That will tell you a lot...and a battery can also certainly go bad in a scoot after a year...

check your battery and come on back to let us know what you found!

[Neil955i]

-However, that being said (if I remember correctly) when she's running happily the battery was at 14.4, but when the dash flickered for those few hopeful moments, it was at 11 something.

That suggests to me that the battery is the culprit.  Anything less than 12v and you are going to struggle to start.  I'm guessing now, but maybe leaving it for 2 weeks without running it has tipped an already borderline battery over the edge into becoming a dud?  Otherwise the trickle charger ought to have helped?  BTW there are guys on here who always plug in the trickle charger every time they park up at home...  Kymcos are that sensitive to a good, healthy battery!  (See Stig's posts on getting the biggest, most powerful battery you can into your battery compartment!)

[stuo]

Hey JDB,

The 14.4 volts when running is not the battery voltage, it's what the alternator is putting into the battery. If the battery voltage is measured with the engine not running it should be at least 12 volts...or more. A good, fully charged battery will measure as high as 13 volts with no load on it.