Hi Guys Need Some Help. (Scooter not starting)

Globule · Derestricted Danger Joined: 06 Dec 2022 Karma :

Hi Guys.

I need a bit of help with a little 125cc scooter.

Bike is a Honda 125FES Pantheon twist and go.

The other day rode it in to work and it worked fine. Went back 7 hours later and it wouldn't start.

Wouldn't turn over, lights bright at first, then very dim.

Recovery guy, did manage to jump start it, but as soon as he removed the jump leads it died.

So it's now in the garage, battery charged and reading 12.6V. Turn key and no lights (operated by ignition switch), no instrument lights, no LED display.

All I get is a strange buzz/whine, sounds like maybe a very loud fuel pump type sound.

I've checked the battery 12.6V, checked all 10A fuses, checked main 30A fuse, all seem good. Changed the 30A fuse just in case. Doesn't seem to be any burnt wires around starter relay.

Any suggestions ideas will be most welcome!

Thanks in advance.

Steve.

.

xX-Alex-Xx · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Sep 2019 Karma :

Battery is 12.6 volts with or without the ignition on and load being applied? Just cos it has that voltage with no load, doesn't mean it's not shagged out.
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DILLIGAF

Nobby the Bastard · Harley Gaydar Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :

12.6v is a bit low. I suspect your charging system has failed.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

WD Forte · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Karma :

12.6V isnt bad.
You need to get meter on the wiring otherwise its all guesswork

I'd start with checking battery connections and grounding.
Then I'd trace power to and from the ignition switch as many have soldered connections and these can develop dry or broken joints in time.
Also, open, check and clean all electrical connectors as most are ignored until they fail rather than serviced from time to time.
Scoots means plastic panels which means most stuff is
'out sight out of mind' until it goes wrong
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Globule · Derestricted Danger Joined: 06 Dec 2022 Karma :

Thanks for the ideas guys, I'll try suggestions and get back with a progress report.

Globule · Derestricted Danger Joined: 06 Dec 2022 Karma :

Just tested the battery again and I got 12.3V ignition off. Ignition on drops to 3.8V.

I'm guessing new battery time?

jeffyjeff · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 May 2020 Karma :

That would be a pretty safe guess.
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

xX-Alex-Xx · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Sep 2019 Karma :

WD Forte · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Karma :

jeffyjeff · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 May 2020 Karma :

Globule · Derestricted Danger Joined: 06 Dec 2022 Karma :

I'll buy a new battery tomorrow and take it from there.

I find it strange that it wont start with a jump from a spare battery.

Thanks again for the input, I'll let you guys know what happens.

Nobby the Bastard · Harley Gaydar Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :

It's probably because your old battery is sucking all the electricity and turning it into heat rather than charging it or allowing it to go to the starter. Disconnect your battery and jump it from the other battery.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

Globule · Derestricted Danger Joined: 06 Dec 2022 Karma :

Put the new battery in and it started first try Very Happy

On the stand at the equivalent RPM of about 30mph I've got a reading of 14.79V. But even at idle I'm getting about 14.5V.

So as simple as a knackered battery.

What got me confused was, there was no symptoms before the failure, like a sluggish start and not being able to jump start it from the spare car battery I have. All the other bikes I've had have always shown signs of failure.

Thanks once again for all the help guys.

Freddyfruitba... · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 May 2016 Karma :

WD Forte · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Karma :

I had that happen once too and it isn't always apparent as the battery may appear to have a charge
in terms of having what looks like a decent voltage
but be unable to deliver much current when a load is applied.
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bikers smell of wee

A100man · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Aug 2013 Karma :

jeffyjeff · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 May 2020 Karma :

Nobby the Bastard · Harley Gaydar Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :

Yep, happened on the mighty Citroen C1. Started fine one day, wouldn't start the next. After several hours charging the battery it still wouldn't start. Even jumping it with another vehicle was an arse as the knackered battery was trying to drain all the electricity from the working and running vehicle's charging system.

New battery solved problem.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

blurredman · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Sep 2010 Karma :

You can get some funny symptoms from aging batteries.

One day the other month on my Suzuki I realised the neutral light wasn't working- two blown bulbs later I put the multimeter to the socket to find the 6v battery was 'providing' 19v. Battery was only 3.5v at rest.

New battery and the regulator - such as it is - now knows what to do with itself.
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CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (295cc) - 39k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 50k.