260 Linhai "Tank" electrical problem By scjbob (Read 937 times)

[scjbob]

At least I think it's electrical. While on the center stand the engine fires right up and runs. As soon as I drop the scooter to the ground it dies. And it won't start with the wheels on the ground. Any ideas of where I should be looking?

[cyborg]

Get it up in the air and check the side stand switch if there is a side stand and I'd also look at the wiring harness around where the center stand pivots,,the harness may be getting pinched or a plug may not be seated correctly and is getting pulled apart slightly as the stand goes up and pulls on the harness,,,

[scjbob]

I looked for a side stand switch and didn't see one. I'l have to look for a harness that comes in contact near the center stand.

[scjbob]

As I thought...a second look revealed no side stand switch and the center stand, when in the up position, comes nowhere near a harness. I guess I'll have to check connections and circuits associated with engine electronics.

[cyborg]

My guess is that it's a harness plug not seated correctly

[scjbob]

I finally decided to pull every body panel off of the scooter and do a full inspection. Lo and behold, after removing the faring I found a large mouse nest. Upon close inspection I found one wire had been fully chewed through and a second one with the insulation chewed off. These 2 wires rest right above cross member of the fork. I spliced them both. I suspect that when the scooter was brough down off the center stand, these 2 wires came into contact with the fork. Both wires come off the main harness and go into the fuse box. (no blown fuses) Now I am clearing out all the old fuel, replacing the fuel lines and filters...and cleaning the carb. Once I finish up the carb I'll hook up the battery and see what happens.

[cyborg]

I hate mouses,,, they're the worst,,, the little bastards chew everything up,,, I'm sure that's your problem not even a doubt,,, there's a piston right there

[scjbob]

Well, after removing the old fuel, replacing the fuel lines, filter and the fuel pump it will not start. Cranking is strong, carb is getting fuel and I have spark. After playing with this thing for so long I finally gave in and took it to a shop that works on these Chinese conundrums. Hope to find out the cause and get it back on the road after not using it for 3 years.

[scjbob]

These Chinese scooters are a constant challenge. It is now running after installing a new carb kit and adjusting the idle. But the headlights will not come on. If I use the flash switch on the left hand control the lights will flash on. But the primary light switch will not turn on the headlights. I pulled apart the switch and the contacts look good with very good solder connections. I checked the wiring and there is no "mouse" damage to it. The switch might be bad...don't know. I'll put a meter to it later today and see if I can locate the problem.

[scjbob]

Found a loose ground connector in the headlight harness plug.

[cyborg]

Nice,,,electrical problems have always frustrated me,,,maddening,,,good job finding it

[scjbob]

I also discovered why the engine bogged down when accelerating...cracked intake manifold. The tube running from the air box to the carb never did fit well and it is so stiff that it won't flex into place without pulling on the carb. I suspect my attempts to tighten the 2-piece air tube together and at the carb put pressure on the manifold and cracked it. So I'm foregoing the air box and installing a filter at the carb. Yes, there's a risk of water getting into the carb but I'm not a daily driver on this scoot. Besides I've had several motorcycles with carb-mounted air filters and never had a problem. Once I reveive the new manifold and install the rest of the body parts I'll be back on the road...finally...after 5+ years. Yes, this is a 2008 model with only 422 miles on it.

[cyborg]

Good find,,,not sure if you'll have to upjet,,,maybe

[ellpee]

CAVEAT: this post is just for entertainment, not for additional helpful info. But this thread resonates with me as I've chased problems on my Chinese scooters.

First the mouse thing, we have packrats in AZ that do the same thing, guessing not so much in FL, but always good to do a full plastic-off check on a scoot that has been stored for awhile, especially if outdoors. And I say that hating to have to remove plastics for any reason.

Handlebar switches, darn those things, have had to remove/?repair?/replace a couple, never quite right afterward, tolerances (switch left, switch right, switch middle) apparently very tight. Grrrrr.

Beyond that, looks like you went above and beyond, so good onya. Not sure about Cyborg's re-jetting idea, would think FL pretty close to factory expectations for altitude. I had (have) a scoot that didn't do well at 7500', but at least so far it seems to be happy at 2300', and at near sea level seems to me it should be fine other than minor mixture tweaking.

In fairness I will say, though, that I need to start following the non-Chinese threads and see if what I find over there suggests they are any better. That's the "corporate wisdom" as far as I can tell, but it might just be brand loyalty talking.

[scjbob]

Yes. I had to remove ALL plastic to chase down the problems. And I get it about the light switch. Upon re-installing mine after inspection the lights will not turn off at the switch (not a problem) but they are in the bright mode and will not switch to dim. Thankfully the turn signals operate properly.