Buddy 125 fuel cut-off issue.

Tanuki · Post by **Tanuki** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 5:00 pm

My Buddy 125 fuel cut-off switch is not working correctly. Over the past month I have had the following problems.

1. I will turn the switch off and the scooter will continue to run.
2. I will turn the switch on - and when I press the ignition switch it will click, but nothing else happens.

At first I thought maybe it was a vapor lock issue, or a crimped fuel line - but I checked for both. I am 90% certain that the shut-off valve/kill switch is to blame. Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks-

scootnwinn · Post by **scootnwinn** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 5:13 pm

Do you mean the switch on the handlebar??

Tanuki · Post by **Tanuki** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 5:29 pm

The switch on the handlebar seems to be the problem. When the switch is in the "on" position and I try to start the engine there is a click and nothing happens. When the switch is in the "off" position, there is no click, but nothing happens then either.

If I toggle the switch a few times, I can often get it to start - and as long as I remember NOT to turn the switch off when I am parked it will start again without any issues.

I haven't had any stalling problems, just problems getting it to start.

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 5:30 pm

If you're referring to the 'kill switch' on the right handlebar, that switch is _supposed_ to shunt the CDI to ground, thus stopping the engine (or keeping it from starting). I can't remember if it inhibits the starter or not. Wiring diagrams can be found in the Tech or FAQ forums, in the service manuals found there. That switch can get corroded if exposed to too much water. Make sure it's in the run position, then if you're just getting a click from the starter, your battery may be too low _or_ the starter is failing. Can you kick-start it?

The fuel shutoff valve under the tank is simply a valve operated by vacuum generated by the carburetor. If the engine cranks and draws a vacuum at the manifold, the valve opens and admits fuel. It's a simple alternative to a manual petcock found on other bikes. In no way is it connected to the handlebar switch, which is purely electrical.

Tanuki · Post by **Tanuki** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 7:13 pm

Further research seems to be pointing toward the starter or possibly stator. I think the fuel switch is a red herring.

JohnKiniston · Post by **JohnKiniston** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 7:17 pm

The switch on the handlebar grounds out your ignition system.

The fuel cutoff is vacuum operated. When the engine is turning it creates a vacuum that turns the valve on and allows fuel to flow from the tank to your carburetor.

It sounds like you may have a bad switch.

Tanuki · Post by **Tanuki** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 8:43 pm

I did not turn off the handlebar cut-off switch when I parked last night, and this morning the scooter will not start. It is really frustrating. I am going to change out the switch and see if that does the trick.

Tanuki · Post by **Tanuki** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 11:31 pm

Changed out the starter switch (handlebar unit) and saw no improvement.
The battery is charged, the ignition switch is working, the horn and brake lights are fine - but the engine will not start.

Could it be the spark plug?

JohnKiniston · Post by **JohnKiniston** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 11:35 pm

What exactly is the scooter doing when it's not starting?

Do you hear the starter turning the engine over?

Does it just go Click or do nothing when you hit the starter button?

Can you Kick Start the bike?

iamryan25 · Post by **iamryan25** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 12:02 am

Does it kickstart?

Those right hand switches have been a known problem on recent 2013 buddy's, try pressing hard on the kill switch, maybe your replacement switch was faulty as well.

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 12:37 am

Tanuki wrote:Changed out the starter switch (handlebar unit) and saw no improvement.
The battery is charged, the ignition switch is working, the horn and brake lights are fine - but the engine will not start.

Could it be the spark plug?

Could use some clarification: Did you replace the starter/ignition button or the kill switch?

When you turn the scooter off and it continues to run are you shutting off with just the kill switch or will it also do it if you turn the key off?

At this point, does it start at all, ever? (And as someone else asked, can you kickstart it?)

Shorts and bad switches can cause all kinds of weird and sometimes seemingly unrelated issues. I recently had a bad switch in my Stella and when I hit the turn signal, ALL my lights blinked on and off! The bad switch had nothing to do with the signal relay.

Tanuki · Post by **Tanuki** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 2:52 am

I put the key in, turn on the ignition and turn on the little kill-switch which is located above the starter.
I push the starter button.
There is click and nothing else. It doesn't turn over, or anything.
If I try the starter while the kill-switch is in the off position there is no click (or anything else).

Initially I thought this was a problem with the switch, so I traded out the entire handle-bar switch assembly for one which I had pre-tested. The same thing happened.

I am currently charging the battery, in case I drained it while screwing around with the switch.

I tried kick-starting it a couple of times, it turns over when I kick it- but even when it is running perfectly I've never been able to kick start it.

agrogod · Post by **agrogod** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 9:12 am

Have you tried modifying your starting procedure?

I put the key in, turn on the ignition and turn on the little kill-switch which is located above the starter.

Turn kill switch on THEN turn ignition key on. Worth a try. As an after thought how old is the battery?

JettaKnight · Post by **JettaKnight** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 5:58 pm

Tanuki wrote:I put the key in, turn on the ignition and turn on the little kill-switch which is located above the starter.
I push the starter button.
There is click and nothing else. It doesn't turn over, or anything.
If I try the starter while the kill-switch is in the off position there is no click (or anything else).

I am currently charging the battery, in case I drained it while screwing around with the switch.

Charging may not be enough - it could very well be a bad battery.

JettaKnight · Post by **JettaKnight** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 5:58 pm

agrogod wrote:Have you tried modifying your starting procedure?
I put the key in, turn on the ignition and turn on the little kill-switch which is located above the starter.
Turn kill switch on THEN turn ignition key on. Worth a try. As an after thought how old is the battery?

The order of execution is irrelevant.

If you here the solenoid kick in then it's:
1. a dead battery
2. bad starter motor
3. faulty wiring

in order of likelihood.

Tanuki · Post by **Tanuki** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 7:40 pm

I charged the battery last night - and the scooter still won't start. I'm going to take the battery out of my boyfriend's scooter and give it a try with that. If the battery isn't the problem I'm not sure what to do next. I guess I'll have to take her to the shop.

JettaKnight · Post by **JettaKnight** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 7:44 pm

Tanuki wrote:I charged the battery last night - and the scooter still won't start. I'm going to take the battery out of my boyfriend's scooter and give it a try with that. If the battery isn't the problem I'm not sure what to do next. I guess I'll have to take her to the shop.

Sounds like a good idea.

I'm not trying to be insulting at all, but anyone who describes the ignition kill switch as a fuel cutoff, probably shouldn't go tinkering too far into the bowels of the electrical system.

Modern Buddy

Buddy 125 fuel cut-off issue.

Buddy 125 fuel cut-off issue.

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