Electric start problem? Starter?solenoid?cdi?Any help?

[goldmansean]

Hi all. I'm sure similar questions have been posted before but I cant seem to find what I'm looking for.

Maybe someone here can give me a few pointers?

My son has a 2006 reiju rs2 matrix 50 and been having some starting problems.

Basically the push start 'winds' lovely and fast but will not start the engine. The batteries in these bikes seem a bit tame tbh so constant start attempts just drains the battery. However it is still possible to bump start the bike. Any suggestions on what I should be checking? Starter motor? Solenoid? Cdi unit?or any suggestions would be appreciated? Could I be over looking something simple?
Many thanks

[_Iain_]

So just to clear it up,

You press the start button, the starter spins but the engine doesnt?

You press the start button, the starter cranks the engine over but the battery goes flat before the bike fires?

You press the start button, the starter motor doesn't spin and the solenoid clicks?

Not too sure what you mean by "the push start 'winds' lovely and fast" - a push start is generally pushing the bike along then dumping the clutch to spin the engine over. Also known as a bump start.

The fact that you've just listed a CDI unit in the same list of things to check as starter motor & solenoid worries me. I think you'd be better off taking it to someone who knows what they're doing.
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Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[goldmansean]

Here goes.

You can push the electric start button continually but does not start the engine- just drains the battery

The starter motor turns and I'm sure I can hear the solenoid 'clicking'

I think what you call a push start I call a bump start.

I was thinking I may have a dodgy earth connection somewhere

The electric start was working ok but not brilliantly up until about a week ago?

Maybe something has come loose whilst riding. Just looking for suggestions.
Thanks

[bikenut]

:D so the bike starts and runs readily when it bump or push started.......but will not start with the electric start??

when the electric start is used with a fully charged battery, it starts the engine cos the electric starter works and whizzes the engine over fast???????

or

whizzes the engine over very very very slowly and refuses to start??????

or

just makes a continual clicking noise??????

sounds like a fried starter motor, does/did it get very hot???????

do any connections from the battery to the starter motor get hot ( including the earths ) ????????
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nuts about bikes

[Islander]

Is the starter motor actually turning the engine over?

Have you tried fully charging the battery before trying to start it with the starter motor?

[goldmansean]

The starter motor is turning. Just had another go and after several spins got that long wheezing sound then the click of the solenoid.
Still 'whizzes'very fast but refuses to start the engine.

Runs fine once push/bump started

Battery fully charged and have tested with two batteries

I'm edging my bets toward an intermittent starter.

Just need to check any hot connections. I guess this indicates that the battery is being over worked to turn the starter?

Thanks for your input. Nice to get second opinions

[bikenut]

so the starter motor whizzes ( makes the engine crank rotate inside the engine, turns eng over as if a kick starter would but fast, or like the engine turns over fast when bump or push started?????? ) THE ENGINE turns OVER FAST BUT ENGINE REFUSES TO START??

i assume there is petrol in it ( its happened dude )?????

does by chance the stater buttomn have a "kill" function or is it just a starter button.?? pic might help

since it starts easily when push or bump started, and runs ok, then fuel, cdi etc systems are ok............
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nuts about bikes

[Robby]

I'm not clear on whether or not the starter motor is turning the engine over, or just spinning by itself. It is unusual for a bike starter motor to fail in a way that stops it turning the engine over.

If the starter motor is not engaging with the engine, you have a problem with the connection between the engine and the starter motor, probably a sprag clutch. Worth trying to strip and clean it, or a replacement part is unlikely to be expensive.

If the engine is turning over but not firing and you can start it easily with a bump start, that is unusual. The only likely cause that jumps out would be if it needs to have a brake or clutch lever held on to start the bike, and one of the brake or clutch switches has failed.

[Islander]

[goldmansean]

Thanks for your replies and the suggestions.

It make a change to ask on a forum and get sensible comments.

I was hoping to have another look this morning but son and bike have gone so i assume it started ok?

I think its a combination of poor connections and impatience??

Like most 16 year old lads it has to be done now and just like his bike- at 60mph!

[sidewinder]

Might be worth a shot to pull out the starter and give it a good clean .might just be a solenoid sticking