One of the frequent issues that can appear out of nowhere after purchasing and using a scooter for a long time is a starter difficulty. If you find that your scooter has battery power, turn the key on, and the lights come on but you are unable to start it, there may be an issue with either the starter or the starter switch. Whichever one it may be, there is a system we advise employing to identify it, as well as fixes for each one depending on your expertise or comfort level.
- Try manually starting the scooter: Our first piece of advice is to use the handlebar-mounted start button to try manually starting your scooter. The starter button, the cables leading to the starter relay, the relay itself, or the starter itself could all be the source of the issue if you turn the key on and press the starter button but nothing happens. The ignition system or fuel system may be the issue if you try to start the engine manually and the starter engages but the engine won’t fire.
- Check the fuel system and engine ignition: Most often, an issue with the engine—either a broken spark plug wire, a bad plug, or a fuel system issue—is to blame for a scooter that won’t start but has power.
- An inspection of the fuel lines from the fuel tank to the fuel pump and to the actual carburetor or fuel injector is required to examine the fuel system. The hoses should be replaced with new ones if you discover any leakage. Inspect the gasoline filter as well to determine if it’s clogged with debris. This is a significant factor, particularly if you operate your scooter on dirt roads, in the inability of engines to start.
- Examining the Ignition System: When an engine won’t start, one of the main causes is that the engine isn’t receiving the correct spark. The ignition coil, spark plug, or spark plug wires are to blame for this. If you are familiar with these systems, you will be able to determine how to check to see if they are the problem. If not, kindly refrain from attempting to inspect electrical parts because doing so could be harmful and result in accidents. To conduct this diagnostic examination, bring your scooter to a licensed mechanic.
If you have performed the aforementioned diagnostic checks and are still unable to determine the reason your scooter won’t start, you may have serious engine damage. If so, before contacting a nearby technician or scooter repair facility, get advice on how to handle the matter from our sales and support team.
In This Article...
Can a car be used to kickstart a scooter?
If you don’t have a battery pack, you can start your scooter with a car instead. Connect the negative terminals first, then the positive terminals, using jumper wires. First, connect the cords to the dead battery.
Why won’t my electric starter function?
If the switch is still operational and its connections are tight, see if your electric starter will start. The switch will not start the engine when engaged if it is damaged or improperly connected. To find out if the switch is broken or not, run a continuity test with a multimeter.
Can a scooter be started by foot without a battery?
Can a scooter be started by foot without a battery? Yes, as long as your vehicle has a kickstarter as well, you can ride a bike without a battery without any issues. Of course, if you’re up for it every time, you can push start your bike.
How can I tell if the starter on my motorcycle is damaged?
There is nothing worse than trying to start your motorcycle and finding it won’t go. Numerous factors can contribute to a motorcycle not starting, but the starter is frequently to blame. It can be challenging to determine whether your starter is the source of this annoyance, though, at times.
What signs indicate a faulty motorcycle starter, then? Inability to start the motorcycle at all, sporadic starting, hearing the starter run even after the engine has already started, and hearing an odd clicking sound from the starter are all signs of a defective motorcycle starter.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s possible that your starter is to blame. Power from your battery is transferred to the motor by your starter. Your starter should last you several years if everything functions as it should. As an alternative, you risk being stranded if your starter ever completely fails.
With a damaged starter, how do you start a motorcycle?
Check to see if the kill switch is turned on. The button, toggle, or lever that is often located on the right handlebar next to the starter button is your kill switch. It will be clearly marked with STOP/RUN or a very similar phrase. Your bike might merely start up once you put it in the “run” or “on” position.
Observe A Clicking Sound While Someone Turns On The Ignition Switch
While you stand close to the engine, let someone turn the starter switch. You should hear a clicking sound as soon as the starter motor solenoid engages.
The solenoid may be engaged but not receiving enough battery juice if you hear clicking but the starter motor isn’t moving.
If there is no sound, your car battery may be dead or the starter solenoid may be broken. In this situation, you might test the battery to see if that is actually what is causing your starter issue.
How to test your automobile battery is as follows:
Test The Battery
When you turn on the key switch, if your starter won’t engage, try checking the battery voltage using a voltmeter. This is how:
- Watch the voltmeter’s display. Before you start the car, the battery voltage should be approximately 12 volts. Your battery may be too low or dead if the reading is less than 12 Volts or if there is no reading at all.
- Next, attach the voltmeter’s negative (black) lead wire to the battery’s negative terminal.
- Connect the voltmeter’s positive (red) lead wire to the positive terminal of the battery.
Even if your battery voltage is perfect, if the solenoid is making a weak clicking sound, you might want to check the control circuit for current resistance. Here’s how to go about it:
What function does a scooter relay serve?
By rerouting the lights or connecting your motorcycle and relay to another object, you can relieve the original electrical system of some of its load by using your motorcycle and relay.
Where is the starting relay on my vehicle?
By vehicle type and model, the start relay’s location varies. The right fender, the instrument panel under the fuse panel, or the fuse box (also known as the power box) are all potential locations. It will typically be in a sizable box with a black top under the hood of your car. Relays and fuses for automobiles are fitted here. It can also be known as a fuse box. Usually, the driver’s side of the car has this box fitted.
The relay receives and discharges wires. However, a lot of other relays in autos look similar. It could be challenging to locate or even remove the fuse box under the dashboard that contains the starting relay. Finding the starting relay that is fastened to the fender wall might not be difficult. The mounting posts and leads on these relays, which are typically cylindrical, can be used to identify them. Please consult your service handbook if you are unsure which relay serves as the beginning relay.
What does a starting relay cost?
Depending on the automobile model and labor expenses, replacing a starter relay typically costs between $50 and $75. You could expect to pay $20 for the starter relay parts, and $30 to $55 for labor.
A starting relay replacement is a straightforward task that doesn’t need for any specialist equipment. If you are handy, you might want to replace the starter relay yourself to save money.
How can I tell if my motorcycle’s starting relay needs to be replaced?
If your motorbike has trouble starting, whether there is no crank at all, a clicking sound, or it cranks but the beginning motor keeps going, your starter relay may be damaged.
Nevertheless, a lot of these symptoms might also be caused by a malfunctioning solenoid or a failing starter motor.
Now that we have a better understanding of the symptoms of a damaged starting relay, let’s move on to the troubleshooting process.