New member and thank you By ld9791 (Read 2,215 times)

[ld9791]

I just wanted to say thank you to all you members. I recently bought a Taotao 50. I think the CDI has gone out on it so I've been kick starting it. Well, earlier today I heard a terrible racket and the kick starter arm would not retract. Got home and started looking, and looking, and searching and looking. This was really the only site that gave some guidence. Turns out the spring was bound up.
And boy was that fun to get off and get back on. After cussing, taking a break, cussing some more, eatting, cussing, busting knuckles up, and about 4 hours later I was able to figure it out. But along the way I read alot of really good stuff from you members. So pat yourselves on the back. You all where very helpful and informative.
and from what I've heard that spring is one of the hardest things to replace. Which is good since I've seen the Taotao's need "occasional" small repairs.
Thanks again to all of you.

[ccprof]

Welcome to ya and thanks for the high praise! Good luck with the scoot and have safe rides!

[Bashan]

Those kick starters are a PITA! That's why I took them off of my scooters. Well, actually I just didn't feel like wrestling with it like you did when I reassembled them. Then I tried to push start them when the battery was low and that just didn't seem to work. Ow! I tried to pat myself on the back and hurt my shoulder. Where's my blankie?! Thanks for the kudos for the forum though, that's nice to hear. Rich

[mike6736]

Good to have you here

Mike

[silverfox96]

If the CDI box "went out", as you put it, the scooter will not start with either the kick starter or the electric starter. You have a different problem.

[ld9791]

Awww man just when I thought I was learning. time to dig some more. Hands still sore from dang spring though. Guess It'll have to wait. Thanks for the heads up silverfox96

[Alleyoop]

Welcome to the forum ID9791, good you joined the group.

What is wrong with the Electric Start? Does that work at all? Do you have a battery in the scoot. Is it charged up or do you need a new one?
Kickstarters are supposed to be used only for emergencies, they are not built to take a lot of abuse.
Alleyoop

[ld9791]

Has factory battery. And the electric start is iffy. It rarely turns on. I have a feeling its an electrical issue.
Reason being: When I turn the key I get nothing. No lights, no blinkers, no horn, no lights in display.
Once I kick start and get going When I come to a stop I notice my head light get dimmer. Once I throttle though it goes back to being bright again.
I have next 2 days off so I'm going to see if I can get my hands on a volt meter and poke around the wires some to make sure all the connections are good.
Any words of wisdom? Scooter is a Taotao 50 (yeah yeah a cheap chinese scooter. But hay, it goes from point A to point B at 40 mph and confirmed 100 MPG)
Any words of wisdom??
And BTW, my hands still hurt from jacking with that gear/spring.

[Alleyoop]

Ok, when you turn the key on and squeeze the brake do your stop lights come on? Try the other brake handle maybe the switch on one of the brake handles is acting up so try the other brake handle.

Also when you push the start button does it spin your starter or do you get clicking sounds.
There is a wire going from the battery to the key with 12v check that wire.
Alleyoop

[Bashan]

I moved your thread to the tech board since we're going to try to figure out your electrical problem. I'd do what Alley suggested and then test your stator. Let us know what you get and we'll go from there. Rich

[imnts2]

And please:
1. check the battery connections. Loosen them. wire brush clean and reinstall.
2. get a 2 amp charger/maintainer for the battery. YOu scoot wil start getting emotional over you!!!
You are doing great. Have fun. Learn to cuss like a pro!!

Cheers
lefty2

[ld9791]

Theres 2 wires going to the postive end of the battery. 1 Large 1 small (I assume small goes to ignition) Connected to the small wire was a fuse, it had become loose. Put it back in place and starts up fine.
New problem (now starting to get passed)
It won't stay running. Will start on first ignition button press but dies within 30 seconds. Will start with ignition press and dies with throttle. Then starter will engage but engine wont start.
So now I gotta start eliminateing carberator, (gotta be patient here 1 of the screws is almost stripped) spark plug, valves, compression.
Anything else or other simple fixes. Bought damn thing so I could quit walking to work. Now tomorrow I get to walk to work, come home and screw with this $800 POS (sorry like I said getting mad now)

[Alleyoop]

Fantastic!! fixing the wire going to the KEY from the battery.
Now to fix the not staying running problem.

On your Carb there hopefully is a Screw to the left as you look at it. Turn that screw CLOCKWISE until it stops DO NOT FORCE IT CLOSED just until it stops.
THen Turn it COUNTER CLOCKWISE 2 1/2 turns and see if it starts and stays running.
If it does LET IT IDLE for about 5 minutes and see if it will take a little throttle.
Let us know then we can tell you how to fine tune the carb if it still needs some tweaking.
Alleyoop

[ld9791]

Did what you asked, no change

[Alleyoop]

Can you take a picture of the carb and hoses going to it and from it.
Here are some pictures of my carb that my be similar to yours and carb area with hoses labed.
Alleyoop
Left Side Of Carb:


Right Side Of Carb: