starting problems

[crozel]

I just purchased an 05 Adventure 150cc scooter (LB150T-12). When I kick it, about every 6 try it will fire for a few seconds and run a little, then dies. I let it rest for 5 mins, then it will kickstart again and run for a second. Sometimes it does better when electric choke is unplugged, sometimes not... When I try the electric starter it turns over great, but does not fire at all. Can anyone give me any suggestions?

Thanks!!!!

[motosports]

It seems to me like you are getting fire to where it needs to be if the engine will turn over like that. You may have one of two problems.
1. If there is not enough fuel to get to the carburetor due to a defective hose or gas valve. Or it may just be a defective electric choke on the carburetor these are both the easier fixes for this problem.
2. It could be a defective electrical component such as a CDI or ignition coil. The coil will get very hot only after a minute if it is defective. The CDI module you will have to check with a multi meter.

[crozel]

Thanks so much for giving me a direction. Can you tell me what kind of reading I should be looking for for the auto choke? According to the previous owner, a GI friend replaced the electric choke recently, but I'm not sure he did it correctly or with the exact OEM part. Also, the coil overheating might be logical. I did succeed in getting it to run for over a minute last weekend, but that again, happened only once then it returned to the sporadic startups, but only kickstarting, not with the electric starter.
I really appreciate your support. I've already ordered a new battery from you folks; it was bad when I bought it, so I tried a Batteries Plus version which was too tall for the compartment, so I ordered from ya'll and it oughtta be here by weeks' end. I have taken the auto choke out and inspected it, though when connected and with ignition on, it does nothing (don't think it's energizing). When I turn ignition off, it does nothing (assuming it's just an electro-magnetic coil activated movement). Regarding the coil overheating, could i check that with a multi-meter? If so, what range output should I look for (don't wanna blow the multimeter-LOL).

Sure do appreciate the Tech support!!! I foresee a long and profitable (for ya'll anyway) relationship.

[motosports]

I am not 100% on the trouble shooting from the electric choke. Probably the best thing I can tell you to do is contact one of our repair centers near and they may be able to help much more than I can.

[crozel]

Got the new coil yesterday, and it runs like a scalded dog! I still have auto choke bypassed and am running fuel through filter straight into carb, but I will try reconnecting petcock, etc. after next issue is taken care of...Thanks so much! Now to the headlights. Mains are inop, markers (above mains)are fine. Found dimmer switch to be crunched inside handlebar. Might this prevent mains from working? Looks like a light blue wire is common to switch and mains. Also found r mirror wires to be disconnected. L mirror lights work fine. On the steering head i found a black wire with female connector (with clear plastic cover) unconnected. Also a black wire with female connector and similar cover also disconnected. Not able to figure out function via schematic. Are they for diagnostic equipment or something else, perhaps? Alarm is present and now functional though fuse was blown when I opened up front cover.

Again, i want to express my thanks for your sage advice. I appreciate it so much. So far we've done remarkable well considered I paid 250.00 for it week before last, and it's running well (though idling is a problem, but I think reconnecting lines to petcock, etc. may cure that) right now. Called Sara per your advice regarding the screw clips, but no luck. I found some on the net, but in too great a quantity. Will try Autozone, etc. then car dealerships.

Thanks Again!!!

[motosports]

Connecting the fuel lines from the petcock and checking to see that it is vacuuming the fuel effectively will be a good start to your repair. Please let us know if you need anything else.

[crozel]

Is there any place where I can find a pic or diagram showing which lines go to which nib on the petcock. For instance, on the 'back' side of the petcock. There are 2 nibs. One obviously is for fuel from the tank, but which one (upper or lower), and does anything go to the other nib? One the front side, there are multiple nibs. What about those?
P.S. I didn't see a comment about headlight switch causing headlight failure; any thoughts? I should have switch today, but wanted a pre-emptive opinion if possible. I goofed a little on the two dead-end wires saying both were black. They both have female connectors, but one is black and the other is BROWN. Also, other mirror/turnsignal works fine now that it's connected Sorry for the wiring confusion!

Thankxs!

[motosports]

If you can get me your email address I will send over a diagram for the 150cc Petcock.

[crozel]

I got the petcock hooked up okay and it's running pretty well.

The new wrinkle is that when I turn the ignition switch off, it continues to run until I use the kill switch to stop it. Any ideas? Surely the ignition switch didn't just up and die? Could there be a ground or something like that loose somewhere? I've looked, but can't find anything.

Thanks!!!

[motosports]

Normally you will have to hit the kill switch to stop the ATV that is pretty normal.