I'm not one to just throw parts a something in hopes it fixes the problem so I have an issue, went for a ride today, stopped at a gas station about 30 miles from home, bike was running great when I stopped. Went to leave to head back home and turn the key and all I get is a buzzing sound coming from under the left side cover plate... I did get a couple of kids that were hanging around to push me so I could dump the clutch and get it running again. Well when I get home I pull off the side covers and its the starter solenoid thats buzzing, I swap the fuses around hook everything back up and all it does is buzz when the starter button is pushed.... I might also add I'm not a mechanic actually I know just enough to screw things up really well so any possibilities on diagnosing this further? Any input would be greatly appreciated

Turn the key on, take a screw driver or a pair of pliers and jump across the 2 terminals, if the bike starts, it's the relay. Be careful, there's a lot of amps going thru there, might see some sparks too. use insulated tool

Erbman02 wrote:
Turn the key on, take a screw driver or a pair of pliers and jump across the 2 terminals, if the bike starts, it's the relay. Be careful, there's a lot of amps going thru there, might see some sparks too. use insulated tool



...and make sure the bikes in Neutral when you do this. Jumping the relay, bypasses all of the safety features to prevent your scoot from leaving before your ready.

If it is the relay, replace it, and get a set of Erbs Full Flow Power Wires for the bike. It'll help take the heat off the relay, and make it last longer.

Ok, went out and jumped the solenoid, only got a little movement from the starter then nothing. Tried it 3 times, only got starter to make noise the first time, I then decided I better check the battery just to make sure it wasnt something extremely easy to overlook, battery has full charge. So guessing maybe the starter itself now?

If the starter won't spin when you jump the relay, the starter is bad.

it isnt spinning so it looks like its time for new starter....would of rather it been the relay much cheaper fix


Thanks for your help

You can get a rebuild kit for it. Just another option to look at.

Dark if it were me I would pull the starter and hook up a pear of jumper cables to it and if it jumps out of your lap the starter is good

have the battery load tested. it might just be a surface charge with no amps behind it to turn the starter motor. Easier to take the battery to an auto parts store and check before you spend good money on a starter

It might be worth checking the decompression solenoid. Take the cover (near your right heel) and manually pull out the 'spoon' while hitting the starter. My decompression solenoid buggered up at a fuel stop too. I drilled a hole through the cover and now have a pull wire running outside - good advice that I got from the list.
Good luck.