Modern Buddy

I need some help from you expert wrenches out there.

I noticed my buddy was getting hard to start this winter. I've been using Seafoam, so I know my carb and gas are good. I would also keep it on a battery tender whenever it was parked. When I would try to start it, it would turn over, but not catch. After cranking it and resting it around 3, 4 or 5 times, it would finally fire-up and run as if nothing was wrong.

But it began to happen with greater frequency and it got to the point it wouldn't catch at all. It also sounded like the battery was laboring more and more. So I took the battery to Batteries Plus, but it tested out fine. So it's not the carb, gas, stator, or battery. The starting got so bad I wouldn't ride it anywhere for fear I'd get stuck somewhere and have to call a friend for help.

While cranking and cranking without starting one day, I thought of assisting the battery with the kickstarter. Sure enough, I barely gave the kickstarter a nudge and it fired right up! So at least for now I'm back in business. I just nudge the kickstarter while using the electric start and I'm good to go. I've been riding all over town again. But that isn't addressing the underlying problem.

The question is - What IS the underlying problem? I have no idea. Hopefully someone out there that's smarter than me knows exactly what the problem is and can tell me.

How old is your battery? I know you had it tested, but if it's 3 or 4 years old, you might just spring for a new battery anyhow. As I recall, that was what was happening to me with my 2008 Buddy. When I replaced the battery, no more issues.

Stores testing batteries have been wrong before...

When you tested it, did you test it to see if it would actually carry a load, not just hold the charge? That's they key, that's what let us know mine was actually bad.

LunaP wrote:When you tested it, did you test it to see if it would actually carry a load, not just hold the charge? That's they key, that's what let us know mine was actually bad.

The stock battery has 90 CCA when brand new according to factory specs. It tested out on 2 different days at 88 CCA, and 92 CCA. So it appears to be in good shape.

Well, hopefully one of the mechanically inclined will post with something else for you to look at.

Please update your post when you determine the issue, battery or not. Someone else will no doubt have the same problem at some point, and it will be good reference for them as well.

Just a thought, when was the oil last changed?

If kickstarting solves the problem, it's probably electrical. If not the battery, then possibly the starter, loose wire or ground, something along those lines.

agrogod wrote:Just a thought, when was the oil last changed?

2 weeks ago.

ericalm wrote:If kickstarting solves the problem, it's probably electrical. If not the battery, then possibly the starter, loose wire or ground, something along those lines.

That's my fear. I HATE hunting down phantom electrical problems. I was hoping someone would come up with an easy fix.

Have you tried putting the battery on charge for 24 hours? Try that and see if the starting problem is solved.

Also, put in a new sparkplug...just because...always start there.

k1dude wrote:

LunaP wrote:When you tested it, did you test it to see if it would actually carry a load, not just hold the charge? That's they key, that's what let us know mine was actually bad.

The stock battery has 90 CCA when brand new according to factory specs. It tested out on 2 different days at 88 CCA, and 92 CCA. So it appears to be in good shape.

When mine went bad, it was never used just bought from the shop but it had been on the shelf for a while. Wouldn't start. 170i = no kickstart so that was un grande problema. Lokky got a battery tester, and it tested at the right numbers and all, BUT when we tested it while I tried starting the scoot, the battery charge dropped below 20... down to like 15 or 12 I think. It would carry a stationary charge, but couldn't move it anywhere. In other words, your battery could be tricking you if you haven't tested it in that manner. Also, I'll echo what somebody else said and say that it's worth it to give your fuse and battery connections a good checking if you haven't already.

k1dude wrote:

ericalm wrote:If kickstarting solves the problem, it's probably electrical. If not the battery, then possibly the starter, loose wire or ground, something along those lines.

That's my fear. I HATE hunting down phantom electrical problems. I was hoping someone would come up with an easy fix.

In that case, I'd suggest revisiting the battery. It's really not that expensive to buy a new one and you can easily do the swap yourself, so you might as well start there. Disclaimer: I am not an expert, nor do I play one here on MB.

OK, everyone seems to be keying in on the battery. It is the original battery from when I purchase the scooter in 2008. t's about 3.5 years old. So I'll get a new one and see if it makes a difference.

Got a multimeter" You could just test the voltage at the battery then at the starter.

When our "new to us" Pamplona started off and on the day after we bought her, I gave her a new and larger battery and voila! zooooom!
no problems since.
But i do trickle them if I'm not riding.

Even after being trailered down the coast to Miami for 2 weeks they started right up!

good luck.

Howdy,

This happened to me, too. It was the starter motor, not my battery. My local shop was able to fix it.