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Buddy suddenly dies at stop signs and red lights!
Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2021 2:27 pm
by libwitch
Hello:
I have a Buddy 125, low milage. Had it on the battery charger for the last few days since we had a week of very cool and rainy weather. The tank is over half full.
Was riding it in to work this morning, and it was going along fine until I come to a full stop at a red light. I sit there for a second and the engine just turns off. I would call it a stall but there was not any stuttering or anything before hand - it just cut off so suddenly that I actually did a double check to make sure I didn't hit the kill switch. Nope. I turn the ignition off, turn it back on, and it starts right up.
Drive it another few miles, no problems. Until I hit another full stop and...engine dies again. Same thing.
When I get into work, I turn off the Buddy, let it sit for a few minutes, and try it - it turns back on without a problem.
The bike runs fine when its running, and it starts up just fine, it just apparently really HATES full stops, which would be very difficult to explain to LEO. Any clues as to what could be going on here?
Re: Buddy suddenly dies at stop signs and red lights!
Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2021 4:39 pm
by eggsalad
I am not a mechanic, but that sounds like a plugged idle jet in the carburetor.
Re: Buddy suddenly dies at stop signs and red lights!
Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 1:21 am
by tenders
If the engine previously worked properly, I agree: rule out schmutz in the carb before doing anything else, including (and especially) adjusting the idle speed or idle mixture screws on the carb. THEY didn't get out of adjustment by themselves.
Re: Buddy suddenly dies at stop signs and red lights!
Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 2:24 am
by scootERIK
If you're lucky you might be able to fix it with Seafoam, fresh gas, and a long ride. If you don't ride a lot it doesn't hurt to use Seafoam in every tank(and ethanol free gas if you can.)
Next step would be a carb cleaning.
If that doesn't work it might be the stator.
Also, what year is it and how many miles are on it?
Re: Buddy suddenly dies at stop signs and red lights!
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:03 pm
by fijiman
libwitch wrote: ↑Tue Jun 01, 2021 2:27 pm
Hello:
I have a Buddy 125, low milage. Had it on the battery charger for the last few days since we had a week of very cool and rainy weather. The tank is over half full.
Was riding it in to work this morning, and it was going along fine until I come to a full stop at a red light. I sit there for a second and the engine just
turns off. I would call it a stall but there was not any stuttering or anything before hand - it just cut off so suddenly that I actually did a double check to make sure I didn't hit the kill switch. Nope. I turn the ignition off, turn it back on, and it starts right up.
Drive it another few miles, no problems. Until I hit another full stop and...engine dies again. Same thing.
When I get into work, I turn off the Buddy, let it sit for a few minutes, and try it - it turns back on without a problem.
The bike runs fine when its running, and it starts up just fine, it just apparently really HATES full stops, which would be very difficult to explain to LEO. Any clues as to what could be going on here?
Hey there...were you able to identify the issue and fix it...I am having the exact same issue.
Re: Buddy suddenly dies at stop signs and red lights!
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:12 pm
by Point37
in addition check for vapor lock by loosening the gas cap
Re: Buddy suddenly dies at stop signs and red lights!
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:50 pm
by fijiman
Point37 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:12 pm
in addition check for vapor lock by loosening the gas cap
For reference, I am having the same exact issue that is abruptly dies on idle at a stop or when idling 50% of the time, but never when on gas. Things I have done so far...
gas cap replacement - no vacuum there
Through carb clean - few times already; idle mix screw is sealed and untouched
New air filter/spark plug/plug wire and ignition coil; fuel filter
Drained gas, new gas, valve, cleaned lines
Adjusted valves
Still same issue
Frustrating
Re: Buddy suddenly dies at stop signs and red lights!
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 8:26 pm
by scootERIK
fijiman wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:50 pm
For reference, I am having the same exact issue that is abruptly dies on idle at a stop or when idling 50% of the time, but never when on gas. Things I have done so far...
gas cap replacement - no vacuum there
Through carb clean - few times already; idle mix screw is sealed and untouched
New air filter/spark plug/plug wire and ignition coil; fuel filter
Drained gas, new gas, valve, cleaned lines
Adjusted valves
Still same issue
Frustrating
Have you replaced the stator yet?
Re: Buddy suddenly dies at stop signs and red lights!
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 8:57 pm
by fijiman
Not the stator yet...that is the next step but I just don't want throwing time/money at the bike without a test that replacing the stator will ACTUALLY fix the issue
Re: Buddy suddenly dies at stop signs and red lights!
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 8:59 pm
by fijiman
Curious to see if original starter of this trad @libwitch was able to fix the issue....because my symptom is exactly the SAME
Re: Buddy suddenly dies at stop signs and red lights!
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:46 pm
by DeeDee
Maybe instead of hopping on a 4 year old thread, you start a new one with a little information about your scooter and your situation.
Re: Buddy suddenly dies at stop signs and red lights!
Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 12:05 am
by fijiman
DeeDee wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:46 pm
Maybe instead of hopping on a 4 year old thread, you start a new one with a little information about your scooter and your situation.
LOL I did and it did not help. Not sure why you're upset?
Re: Buddy suddenly dies at stop signs and red lights!
Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 12:07 am
by fijiman
If someone has more positive information and can help, please post up...really could use your help here...
Re: Buddy suddenly dies at stop signs and red lights!
Posted: Sat May 24, 2025 11:06 pm
by GoSlash27
All,
I've developed what sounds like the same problem. It's definitely not a carb or vent issue. The physical deceleration *itself* is causing the stall. Even a quick push while on the stand is enough to stall it.
I suspect it's an ignition problem; loose contact or intermittent short. I'll dig into it tomorrow and report whatever I find.
Best,
-Slashy
Re: Buddy suddenly dies at stop signs and red lights!
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2025 1:16 am
by GoSlash27
Sorry I wasn't able to respond earlier. The forum was down.
I chased down the root of my problem the next day; flooding issue.
I was able to make her (mostly) okay by readjusting the float level, but a new float and bowl gasket cured the issue.
She runs like a top now.
Best,
-Slashy