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Post by motofinopilot on Nov 7, 2015 19:14:33 GMT -5
Hey guys, I finally got back here after a long time away. I`ve got a Motofino 50cc with about 2800 miles that started losing all electrical power when turning key on cold days, would come to life when I rocked the scooter to put on center stand. Always started on kickstarter, then normal electrical operation. This year, first cold day, no power on key (starter,gas gauge,horn) but starts and runs on kickstarter. Sometimes I get a slight movement of gas needle and intermittent turn signals. Tested start switch and power to wires. Tested battery and 12.9 volts.
Is it possible the battery is producing volts but not enough amps for power?( 9-amp sealed Interstate battery, 2 yrs 10 months old.) Is it possible the fuse is bad and cutting power flow? Could it be a ground wire to motor? The scooter runs fine and headlight/brakelight/taillight work after kickstarting, but no gas gauge,horn,electric starter,turn signals. Also, when I was inside with test light, with scooter running there is a slight buzz from turn signal relay. Weird...
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Post by JerryScript on Nov 8, 2015 0:39:12 GMT -5
That's a good age to replace the battery, and the symptoms say it's time. You can get it load tested to see if it needs replacing at most auto parts stores.
That turn signal relay could be bleeding juice. Does it get hot?
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Post by lain on Nov 8, 2015 9:49:41 GMT -5
It's easy to do a load test if you have a multimeter. Hook the meter to the battery on DC setting that can reach 0-15 volts. I use the 50 volts setting myself because I have an analogue meter. Anyways while you have it hooked up it should be showing volts with no load (12-13). Now turn the key on and watch the meter while you use the starter button and brake lever together. A bad battery will drop volts below 9 while starting, a good battery will stay at or above 9 volts while using the electric starter.
Honestly sounds like a loose wire somewhere though.
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New Rider
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Post by motofinopilot on Nov 8, 2015 15:42:56 GMT -5
The turn signal relay isn`t getting hot.
I`m leaning toward a loose fuse wire or ground wire to engine, since the scooter often went from dead to normal by rocking it onto the center stand. I tried a mulitmeter on the battery and it showed 12.9 volts static. I`m going to retry it while pushing the start button, but the starter isn`t engaging so I don`t know if it`ll show a load when I do that. I`m going to check the fuse wire and ground wire to engine and after that try switching batteries with my newer scooter. I`m thinking it`s a loose connection of some kind, unless the battery is going out and something inside it gets jostled when I rock the scooter...I just need a day off without rain to mess with it again. Thanks for the input, guys..
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Post by lain on Nov 8, 2015 16:35:04 GMT -5
The turn signal relay isn`t getting hot. I`m leaning toward a loose fuse wire or ground wire to engine, since the scooter often went from dead to normal by rocking it onto the center stand. I tried a mulitmeter on the battery and it showed 12.9 volts static. I`m going to retry it while pushing the start button, but the starter isn`t engaging so I don`t know if it`ll show a load when I do that. I`m going to check the fuse wire and ground wire to engine and after that try switching batteries with my newer scooter. I`m thinking it`s a loose connection of some kind, unless the battery is going out and something inside it gets jostled when I rock the scooter...I just need a day off without rain to mess with it again. Thanks for the input, guys.. See those two larger terminals on the solenoid? Try connecting them with a screwdriver briefly. If your battery has enough power the starter will attempt to start the engine. This will work as long as the engine is grounded and the heavy wires that go to the battery and solenoid and starter are connected. |
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Post by motofinopilot on Nov 10, 2015 14:54:22 GMT -5
If you mean the two terminals on the starter relay, I tried that and got a little spark one time and nothing after that. On a previous scooter (different brand) my start button went out and I put a switch between those two terminals to start the scooter. It worked even with the key off. I tried it on this Motofino and got the above results. I thought maybe it worked differently on Motofinos and haven't tried it on my other Motofino. If it should fire the starter and doesn`t, you`re saying it`s a too-weak battery? Maybe that`s it. As soon as I get a free day without rain I`ll try switching batteries with my newer scooter. That may be it. Thanks.
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