Starter turns but not enough to start Stella

Simon · Post by **Simon** » Sun May 04, 2014 4:19 pm

Got stalla out for spring and the starter won't turn motor over. Battery is 1 1/2 yrs old. So I got a new one and charged on my tender to 12 hrs. All was good when I installed new battery. Scooter sat for 5 days then when went to start the starter would not tun motor over. Charred on tender for 12 more hrs and no luck with the starter. I can kick start with no problem. I have bright light turn signals work and horn also. The starter just does not have enough juice to turn the starter.

Frank Tabor · Post by **Frank Tabor** » Sun May 04, 2014 9:30 pm

Simon wrote:Got stalla out for spring and the starter won't turn motor over. Battery is 1 1/2 yrs old. So I got a new one and charged on my tender to 12 hrs. All was good when I installed new battery. Scooter sat for 5 days then when went to start the starter would not tun motor over. Charred on tender for 12 more hrs and no luck with the starter. I can kick start with no problem. I have bright light turn signals work and horn also. The starter just does not have enough juice to turn the starter.

CORRECTION:

The battery just does not have enough juice to turn the starter.

jimmbomb · Post by **jimmbomb** » Mon May 05, 2014 12:30 am

You've got to check your new battery over real good.
Bring the water levels up to the fill line
If it's a maintenance free battery, then forget about the water.
Put lock washers on the battery cable bolts.
Clean all the cable ends and the battery posts with a wire brush, and tighten them down real good.
Check the wires going to the starter and make sure that they are tight too.
Re-charge the battery and try again.
Does the starter try to turn at all?? or is it silent?
If it's silent, then it could be the clutch safety switch under the headset.
good luck.

slotrod65 · Post by **slotrod65** » Mon May 05, 2014 1:16 am

I just went through the same thing with my Stella, and it was a zombie (undead) battery. yeah, it looked like it charged up, but didn't really. I ended up ordering a new gel battery, and am very happy with it. Here is a link to my experience:

topic26894.html

Simon · Post by **Simon** » Mon May 05, 2014 1:24 am

After I charged the battery for the first time after purchased it started with no problem for two days then it rained foe 5 days so I was unable to ride the scoot. When I was able to ride the starter would only turn a little then make a clicking sound but not enough to start the scoot. Cables clean bolts tight and fill with water. I recharged it for 12 hrs but not able to turn starter. Think it's not charging the battery. Should I check with volt meter?

jimmbomb · Post by **jimmbomb** » Mon May 05, 2014 2:52 am

Simon wrote:After I charged the battery for the first time after purchased it started with no problem for two days then it rained foe 5 days so I was unable to ride the scoot. When I was able to ride the starter would only turn a little then make a clicking sound but not enough to start the scoot. Cables clean bolts tight and fill with water. I recharged it for 12 hrs but not able to turn starter. Think it's not charging the battery. Should I check with volt meter?

Sounds like your charger is NOT charging your battery.
Because.....1) Bad battery... 2) bad charger.

question... when you kickstart your bike with this (low )battery....and ride it for a while (charging the battery)..
is the battery STILL low, even after riding it around??

Simon · Post by **Simon** » Mon May 05, 2014 12:28 pm

The battery charges more but not enough to start the scoot with starter. I should only charge it with the tender correct. I will borrow a tender.

Frank Tabor · Post by **Frank Tabor** » Tue May 06, 2014 4:44 am

Simon wrote:The battery charges more but not enough to start the scoot with starter. I should only charge it with the tender correct. I will borrow a tender.

A battery tender is not a battery charger.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Tue May 06, 2014 5:56 am

Frank Tabor wrote:A battery tender is not a battery charger.

A battery tender is a a low amperage battery charger that has an electronic "smart" circuit which turns the charger on and off so it does not overcharge, and only maintains the correct charge. It will recharge a weak battery. It is just that it takes overnight or longer as the output is not very high.

Modern Buddy

Starter turns but not enough to start Stella

Starter turns but not enough to start Stella

Re: Starter turns but not enough to start Stella