Scooter Won't Start After I Rode in the Rain By tydow (Read 10,020 times)

[tydow]

Hello All,

It's been awhile since I've been here. No computer for awhile.

Couple of questions. I have a 150cc tao tao scooter. It ran and started great until I rode it in the rain. Not a down pour but steady rain. Right when I got it home and was about to shut it off, it cut off itself. I changed the spark plug. I also check to see if the air filter was dry and it was. The scooter has about 1400 miles on it. Any suggestions?

Also I have a 150cc Peace Sports Edge, 2011. It has only about 700 miles. This is kinda hard to explain but the front end does not seem to be lose and it does not wobble. Just seems to have a lot of play. Not sure if you guys understand what I mean. Just does not seem as steady as some of the other scooters I have ridden if that makes sense. The front tire does not seem to be low. Do some models just have more play in the front end or is this something I should be worried about? Other than that it rides great. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Attachments:

[Bashan]

If the ignition switch got wet it might have grounded the kill wire and shut down the spark. That should resolve when the bike dries out unless the switch is shorted out.

On the other 150, you should check the fork bearing. Take the nut and retaining cap off of the fork and drop it out of the steering head. You'll find the bearing which looks like this:

Make sure all the rollers are intact and not loose. Then look up in the bearing recess and make sure there's no scoring or warping:

Then check the bearing at the top of the head:

Also make sure the handlebars are tightly bolted down to the fork.

[felliott]

I use a hair dryer to dry all wire connections. To get to ignition switch you will most likely have to remove a front panel.

[tydow]

thanks so much for the suggestions. quick question regarding the pink scooter. is it dangerous to continue to ride the scooter as it is or is this something i should take care of right away?

as far as the tao tao and the rain incident, it happened a few months ago, so I am assuming everything should be dry by now right? i will check it out again.

again thanks!!!

[Bashan]

I wouldn't ride it until you check the bearing, yeah, it could be dangerous. So this other bike...what does it do? Is it completely dead or what? Does it turn but not start? If it got very wet you may need to test the ignition switch.

[felliott]

You should fix the play as soon as you can, may turn into a major safety issue and you do not want that.

[tydow]

Hi Again,

Thanks again for the suggestions. I think I will retire the pink scooter until I can check it out this weekend.

As far as the Tao Tao, it will turn over but will not start. I will try to check the ignition switch this weekend also. Hopefully I can get it going again.

[Alleyoop]

ON the tao tao, Pull the BOOT CAP off the Spark plug off the motor and stick your OLD spark plug in the boot and hold the metal part to the motor and see if it SPARKS. If it doesn't then Leave the SPARK PLUG in the BOOT and take the KILLSWITCH WIRE off the CDI and check again for SPARK.
Here is the KILLSWITCH WIRE TO PULL OFF THE CDI:
Alleyoop

[tydow]

Hi Again,

On the Tao Tao, I believe my mechanic did check for spark and if I remember correctly, I think there was no spark but I will check again. Not sure if we followed all the steps you suggested.

Again, thanks sooooooo much for your help. I hope to get a few more rides from this scooter before it gets to cold. It is one of the best riding scooters I've been on. Pretty toooo!

L

[felliott]

Let us know what you find

[tydow]

Hello,

Just wanted to let you all know that I have not had a chance to work on the scooter, but I hope to get to it this weekend. :-)

[tydow]

Hello, my mechanic check the ignition switch and found it to be faulty. Thanks so much for you guys help! :-)

THANKS!!!!!!! :-)

[tydow]

do you test the ignition switch on ac or dc? or another setting? thanks.

[tydow]

Hello Again,

I am a bit confused. We tested the ignition switch and found it to be faulty. I am ready to order parts. Now do I order the actual ignition switch (the part where the key goes in) or do I order the Ignition Coil & CDI box, got to be the latter right?

Also, he tested it not using AC or DC. Is that ok? Thought you always tested using AC.

Sorry if these are silly questions, just want to double check with you guys.

Thanks

[Alleyoop]

Hi Tydow,
If your mechanic said the Ignition switch is bad, IF HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT meant the part that the key goes in. Now the Ignition Switch gets 12V from the battery you will find a THIN RED wire with Fuse on it coming off the BATTERY POSITIVE POST. I would check the FUSE take it out get the number of amps it is and go and get a new one and replace it before you go and buy a new Ignition switch.
My .02
Alleyoop