SOLVED - Starter switch acting up By trailheadmike (Read 1,727 times)

[trailheadmike]

I have a Vog 260 that has been running great, but today I hit the starter switch and nothing (gages do work when key is turned). I toggled the kill switch a few times to no avail. Then, holding the brake, I stabbed at the starter a few times (like 7) and then the starter motor engaged it started right up. I stopped for gas on the way home and the same thing happened.

So I'm thinking that I perhaps have a bad/loose connection on the starter button, or maybe some bad contact within the switch itself, and I'm going to take off the collar that holds all the switches and see what's what. Anything else I should check while I'm in there?

Thanks in advance.

[damin69]

Check the Fuse main fuse by the starter solinoid. Unless you have changed it out to a blade fuse it is a glass buss fuse in a fuse holder. If that is good then find and check the solinoid.

[trailheadmike]

If it was a bad fuse it wouldn't work, no?? Mine works - I just need to stab at it a few times.

[safarisam1]

It could be the starter solenoid is going bad .

[JR]

All great suggestion guys, how old is the scooter and has it ever got wet like riding in the rain or car washes? Also did you try both brake handles and get the same results? Remember the brake switch is part of the starting circuit and it you have a brake switch that is acting up this could be the culprit also.

Also water over time can cause these little switches to corrode inside and not make good connection, had one on mine do that and I just replaced it to solve the problem.

JR

[trailheadmike]

The scooter is a 2008 that has been in the rain three times since I bought it, second hand, in November. It's always garaged. It was also garaged by the original owner who had it for about a year and almost never rode it.

I just tried again and the same thing - nothing when the starter is pressed regularly, but when it is mashed a few times it engages. I was thinking corrosion in the switch itself??? Once it starts its good as gold.

[Luke]

yup, when you press the brake switches and start the scooter, a 12v current pass through that switch and a tiny spark is produced in between those two elements, and when there is spark, a minimal amount of sooth or carbon is also produced and deposited in between the two contact point, and that is the culprit, it reduces the clear contact between the two metal., and electrical continuity is compromised,,it happened to me and what i did was ,i cut a small piece of sand paper and roll it in a match stick or any tiny slender stick for that matter and slightly and carefully sandapaper(verb) the two contact points, and after that i use cotton buds to thoroughly clean the excess dust corossions produced by sand papering(verb).
this is what i did on mine, and it worked for me.,,,or if you want ,borrow your wife's nail file,it will work well too...good luck!

[trailheadmike]

Luke - that's what I was thinking just by experience with other switches in things from time to time. I just assumed the switch was sealed. OK, enough talk I guess, I need to open up the assembly and see what's going on

[Luke]

keep us posted,,,yesterday,i felt that my scoot is having the same issue, weel it's been 1 and a half years now since i did the sandpaperin'(verb)...i think it's high time to do it again,,you know at one point,i almost want to blame the battery,(thought it was weak) but,now i know better.

[JR]

Good points on the switch and they do corrode and cause this problem, sometimes one can get some electronic spray contact cleaner and it does wonders.

Now one thing I want to tell you is though 12 volts does not go through this switch, it's actually the ground or negative side of the starter solenoid that is being engaged when you prress the start button.

The 12 volts positive side is engaged when you turn the key on and hit the brakes this side of the circuit is tied in with the brakes, it's a safety thing so one has to press the brake before starting.

JR

[zugzug]

Once you get it sanded and cleaned put some dialectic grease on it. I leave my bikes/scoots out in the weather because I ride them all year and have every few problems because I use the grease in the switches and connectors.

[trailheadmike]

Plot thickens - It's not the switch. Before I took off that switch collar, i noticed the two blade connectors inserted into or near the brake switch. If I juggle those while hitting the start button and holding the brake she starts right up. Then, I check the right brake light, and its not lighting up. It could be a coincidence about the light, but it sounds like it might be the brake switch that's the problem. I'm not sure about the relationship between the brake switch and the safety though - are they two different things, or is the starter circuit merely looking to see if the brake circuit is complete??

[JR]

You've found the problem I've had this happen too. This type switch again with time and corrosion will do this everytime.

Now here is some wiring diagrams and while not exactly like the VOG the second one the linhai version is very close. Look at the diagram and find the start button, you'll see a red/yellow wire going to the stasrter solenoid and you will also see the sart button in conjunction with the engine kill switch, again when you push the start button you are sending the ground side to the soleniod.

thescooterprofessor.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=250g&thread=430&page=1



Now on the brakes you will see a black and yellow/green on both the right and left switches. If you follow the yellow/green wire you'll see it goes to the brake lights and branches off to the starter solenoid too so if this switch is acting up you'll not start the scooter and have no brake lights as you mentioned. Again see if it does the same thing on the other brake?

Is this your switch?

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MICRO-BRAKE-SWITCH-RIGHT-SIDE-JONWAY-SCOOTERS-/170677601493?pt=Other_Vehicle_Parts&hash=item27bd2d84d5

Must remember these will not work on either side so if the right side one is acting up then order a right side switch and left fo left.

JR

[trailheadmike]

Great info JR. I have a Vog wiring diagram that the Big Guy posted once that I will send you in an email for the archives. That box switch you linked says for a 150cc, but I've found similar ones at scrappy's, flat squirrel and something called chinamotoparts for a 250. Thanks very much for your effort and input.

[JR]

Those switches are on a lot of scooters 150 and 250 alike, it's the exact same switch that is on a lot of Honda scooters and motorcycles, very popular switch in fact you can order one for a Honda reflex and it'll bolt right. up.

JR