Darn thing won't start all of a sudden By debbieb (Read 640 times)

[debbieb]

2008 Jonway 150cc - was running very well (once I got the brake switch thing worked out) and starting OK except for when it sat for a few weeks.  The battery tested weak and it was several years old from a prior owner so we thought the battery was the problem.  We just bought a new battery and it tests fine on a load tester and shows 12.7 volts.  Now when we try to start the scooter, it turns over once, but won't start, worse than before.  Just one little grrrrrr, then nothing, just as if the battery was weak or dead.  But the battery tests good.  I was going to do some testing on the rectifier since we thought perhaps the battery wasn't charging, but now if it won't start, I can't test that, can I?  Not sure I can even get to the rectifier wiring since I can't figure out how to remove the side panel without taking all the fendering off.  But before I even think about that, is there something more obvious or easier to check?  Here's a pic of my CDI and rectifier, just in case that helps with answers.

      

[tvnacman]

tvnacman.blogspot.com/

what is the battery voltage while your cranking ?

John

[debbieb]

It jumps around, but in the 5.8 -6.1 volt range testing at the battery while cranking.

Also, we hooked it up to the battery charger and putting the charger in start/50amp mode, the scooter starts. 

PS> John, in reading other posts, I see a lot of discussion with a lennie11b who had the exact same scooter as we have... 2008 Jonway YY150t-2.  His description of the rectifier is exactly the same as ours.  In some comments, there was some question about his bike being modified, but NO, the way he described his matches what we are seeing.  I'm not sure from reading all those posts whether his problem was every resolved.

Unlike his, our running lights come on fine once the bike starts and the toggle switch turns the headlights on/off with no problem.  But we question why the bike won't start with a new battery.  Also, before switching out the old battery with the new one, we did test for battery drain and at a 20microamp setting on the multimeter, we were getting a .31 reading... I don't know what that means, but it seems low.

[tvnacman]

tvnacman.blogspot.com/

ok you have a volt meter and I see your using it well based on info your providing . When you get the engine running what is the voltage at the battery at idle , then rev it up to 4 or 5000 rpm for 30 seconds ? Scooter batteries suck !!!!! The amp draw is not much at all I doubt that it is draining the battery in a day or two or even 3. One of the main electrical problems with the chinese scooters is they use very thin wire poor fuse connections . I like to replace some of the wires , start with the battery lead use # 14 awg wire replace the fuse holder and fuse . Run from the outside of the fuse to the ignition switch the jump to the red on the regulator . Start at the negative battery use # 10 awg replace the eye loop at the frame and engine and connect every green along the way follow the harness bundle to the ignition switch and handle bars tail lights every green ground along the way . don't cut the greens connect it to the wire your running . connect # 14 awg wire at the ignition switch and jump it to where ever you see black wire (near the cluster) .
link me to the thread your refering to with Lennie11b . He may have done an 11pole 7pin upgrade kit from me . Sometimes people post feedback and sometimes not when I see the thread I may remember . I encourage feedback weather the parts used were from me or not .
Feel free to call when your working on your scooter till about 8pm .

John

[seven]

My 150cc GY6 came with a YTX5-BS battery. It is really 4Ah and 50 CCA. (Cold cranking Amps)
I replaced it with a YTX9-BS which is 8Ah and 120 CCA. More than double the energy available for starts.

The YTX9-BS is 1/2" taller, but it should fit in your Jonway. Measure first of course. The other dimensions are the same.

The larger capacity battery made all the difference in the world. The scooter starter motor spins like a top and the engine starts immediately. No more cranking it several times to start it anymore.

You can find the YTX9-BS on eBay for $23.50 with free shipping. It arrives in 2 business days in the U.S.

If your problems are not resolved by the earlier suggestions, you may want to consider the higher capacity battery.

A Battery Tender Jr. will keep any motorcycle or scooter battery alive for much longer. It cost about $25 and will save your battery safely, even in long term storage.