Auto bystarter problem

Demps · Post by **Demps** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 5:33 am

Hope someone here can help me. I have a 2012 Buddy 50 with 950 miles on it, I am the second owner so no warranty. Through extensive research and trouble shooting I've come to the conclusion that the auto bystarter is not functioning properly. My question is, is there anything to check (fuse, connection, etc.) before replacing it and if not anyone have a good source for a suitable replacement. Thanks in advance.

Greg

agrogod · Post by **agrogod** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 9:16 am

http://www.scooterloungeonline.com/buddy50carburetor

In the diagram you want part number 22.

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 1:22 pm

agrogod wrote:http://www.scooterloungeonline.com/buddy50carburetor

In the diagram you want part number 22.

SHORT VERSION
Yes.

LONG-WINDED VERSION
Yes. To which I would add that the "Auto Bystarter" is commonly referred to as the "choke." Just in case you have to deal with somebody on the phone who doesn't speak fluent PGO.

From the posted wiring diagram, the "auto bystarter" is powered right off the yellow wire from the alternator. There is no fuse in the circuit. Rather than draining directly to ground, there is an inline current-limiting resistor connected in series between the bystarter and ground. In the B50 manual, the resistance value is not shown, however the B125 manual shows it as a 5 ohm resistor. Again, if the wiring diagram is to be believed, it is a white wire with a blue trace (it may be the opposite, the drawing shows it one way but the legend shows it blue with white trace). Once you disconnect the bystarter, you could check continuity back through that white/blue wire to ground to be certain that nothing bad has happened to that resistor. Otherwise, there's not a lot more you can do other than swap out the part. You could check continuity through the bystarter, but it may have a mechanical problem rather than an electrical problem so that test might give a false positive result which would be a red herring. Hope this helps rather than just confusing you.

BOTH VERSIONS

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

lovemysan · Post by **lovemysan** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 10:07 pm

The autobystarter is a $90 part. I found a used chinese clone for $10. There is a thread that details testing the autochoke on here somewhere. Basically: Remove it, have an assistant plug the hole in carb with a finger, hold autobystarter in one hand, start scooter, the brass pin should retract as the internal heater warms the unit.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 10:59 pm

Before you replace the autochoke - how did you determine that a faulty autochoke was the problem rather than a clogged idle jet?

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 4:13 am

lovemysan wrote:There is a thread that details testing the autochoke on here somewhere. Basically: Remove it, have an assistant plug the hole in carb with a finger, hold autobystarter in one hand, start scooter, the brass pin should retract as the internal heater warms the unit.

Ah, I stand corrected. Thank you!

Also, I didn't realize those things were so expensive, either. $90?!? Yikes.

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 4:50 am

The brass pin should extend, not retract. The element in the bystarter heats up some sort of wax/oil substance that expands, forcing the pin to extend until it closes off the enrichment port in the carb.

Demps · Post by **Demps** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 2:02 pm

Thanks for all the info. I thoroughly cleaned the carb changed the spark plug and cleaned the air and fuel filters. Plug indicated that it was running rich and it boggs down really bad once warmed up. The by starter is getting hot but I'll have to figure out how to check the pin without an assistant.

lovemysan · Post by **lovemysan** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 4:02 pm

Now that I think about it I think it's supposed to protrude not retract. And I've never had anybody help me test mine. I just propped mine on something and starter her up.