Honored new owner of Rich Carman's Sym Citycom 300i.... By cavenger (Read 3,691 times)

[cavenger]

A few days ago, I glanced at my local craigslist ads and happened upon a good deal for a Citycom scooter. I immediately called the owner and shortly learned that the previous owner had recently passed away. I felt sad for the lady selling the scooter because it sounded like it was sudden.

A few days later, I was posting about the scooter and someone mentioned Rich Carman's name and the fact that he loved his Citycom. I recognized the same name was on the title that I had and I figured this was no coincidence. A few clicks and I realized that Rich lived in my area and I immediately knew that was him....but the more I read from this site, the more I learned he was a bit of a legend in the scooting arena.


I feel very honored to have his scooter. As a matter of a fact, I wish he were still here to help me figure out why it won't start! Its a small world indeed. RIP, Rich! 

[Guitarman]

Well, I'm glad someone from here got it.
Now tell us what it is or is not doing. Check the battery?
Fuses? Fuel?

[cavenger]

It had been sitting for a while. The first two days, it started but we had to jump it. The third day i charged it and rode it for 30 minutes or so and it started right after so I thought it was ok. I put it on the charger and it wouldn't start the next day. The symptom is, I get one click. The scooter cannot be jumped either. However, I have taken the battery to 3 different places and every time they have tested it as good.

[cavenger]

I checked all of the fuses in the front panel and they were all good. All I get is a click when I hit the button. If I give I turn the throttle a few times before turning the key, I can hear the fuel pump. Best I can tell, this is a power issue or in the starting system.

[cyborg]

i would check all the terminations on the battery and solenoid and starter,,,something may have worked loose,,,,you got a great scoot,,he was meticulous with service,,,,

[cavenger]

Jul 3, 2015 7:22:13 GMT -6 cyborg said:

i would check all the terminations on the battery and solenoid and starter,,,something may have worked loose,,,,you got a great scoot,,he was meticulous with service,,,,

This is my first scooter and I have not had a motorcycle before either. So it goes from an almost expert to a complete novice. Rich had left off the bottom floorboard and the engine is "open"....I wonder if I need to remove the seat bucket to get to these things you mentioned. I have been watching a lot of videos and have the scooter service manual. The pictures in the service manual aren't clear as far as marking things. I think if I remove the bucket I can see things better.

[cavenger]

Here is a video showing my issue:

[Alleyoop]

If it Clicks it is one of two things WEAK BATTERY or BAD SOLENOID, find the SOLENOID and touch both terminals with a screw driver or piece of wire and see if it spins your starter. If it still clicks then you have a bad battery, if it spins the starter then you have a bad Solenoid.
Alleyoop

[cavenger]

ok it is for sure not the battery. I put a new battery in there today and it did not solve the issue. Dangit. I guess I am in deep now. I need to find the solenoid.

[cavenger]

by the way, it only clicks when I am hitting the button. It doesn't continuously click.

[Alleyoop]

Yep, you squeeze the Brake that sends voltage to the solenoid and the brake lights, THEN you push the start button and it GROUNDS the SOLENOID to complete the ciruit. So you will hear the Click or clicking when pushing the start button.
To find the SOLENOID is very easy JUST FOLLOW the THICK RED WIRE from the Battery it will go to one of the TERMINALS on the SOLENOID, Then just touch BOTH TERMINALS with a SCREWDRIVER to test it.
Alleyoop

[cavenger]

Jul 3, 2015 13:18:40 GMT -6 Alleyoop said:

Yep, you squeeze the Brake that sends voltage to the solenoid and the brake lights, THEN you push the start button and it GROUNDS the SOLENOID to complete the ciruit. So you will hear the Click or clicking when pushing the start button.
To find the SOLENOID is very easy JUST FOLLOW the THICK RED WIRE from the Battery it will go to one of the TERMINALS on the SOLENOID, Then just touch BOTH TERMINALS with a SCREWDRIVER to test it.
Alleyoop

Thank you! I am assuming to do this test I need to have key on? Do I have to squeeze the brake and push the button or is it bypassing that? Also see below... Did I find the solenoid (relay)?

[Alleyoop]

Yes that is the SOLENOID I see you have a SOLENOID that has a FUSE see the GREEN PLASTIC on it that should have a 20AMP fuse so also check the fuse on it. One wire usually BLACK on the SOLENOID should go to the starter the RED one should be coming from the POSITIVE post of the battery. So touching both terminals is bypassing everything it should send 12volts to the starter directly and activate it, make it spin.
Alleyoop

THIS PICTURE IS ACTUALLY OF YOUR SOLENOID on your scoot that you bought from Rich's Wife. RICH LABELED THE SOLENOID ON THAT SCOOT.

[tvnacman]

check the wire on the starter itself, should be tight and have 12vdc when the starter switch is pressed with the brakes.

John

[cavenger]

Jul 3, 2015 14:50:50 GMT -6 Alleyoop said:

Yes that is the SOLENOID I see you have a SOLENOID that has a FUSE see the GREEN PLASTIC on it that should have a 20AMP fuse so also check the fuse on it. One wire usually BLACK on the SOLENOID should go to the starter the RED one should be coming from the POSITIVE post of the battery. So touching both terminals is bypassing everything it should send 12volts to the starter directly and activate it, make it spin.
Alleyoop

THIS PICTURE IS ACTUALLY OF YOUR SOLENOID on your scoot that you bought from Rich's Wife. RICH LABELED THE SOLENOID ON THAT SCOOT.

ok..nothing happens when i jump the solenoid. Nothing. I checked the fuse in the solenoid and it is good. I have some wire that I think I am going to try again because it is hard with a screwdriver with all of that insulation around it.