Scooters are currently very popular among the Vietnamese population. Products like Honda SH, Yamaha Grande, Honda Airblade, and Honda Lead have become national favorites over the past decade. However, they do not always operate smoothly.
Instances where the scooter fails to start after stopping are not uncommon. To prevent such issues, it is best to have the scooter serviced regularly as recommended by the manufacturer. If you encounter a situation where the scooter won’t start, below are some common reasons that can help owners calmly troubleshoot the problem and quickly identify the issue to save time when visiting a repair shop.
Instances where the scooter fails to start after stopping are not uncommon.
Dead Battery
Typically, after a period of inactivity or forgetting to turn off the engine for several hours, riders may experience symptoms such as no lights when turning the ignition key or weak lights and horn. In some cases, the scooter may be difficult to start or may not start at all. The cause could be a weak or completely drained battery.
For manual or semi-automatic scooters, restarting the engine is quite simple. You can kick-start or shift to neutral and push the scooter to gain momentum before engaging the gear to start the engine easily. However, due to the automatic transmission and lack of a kick-start lever, the handling of a dead battery in a scooter is more complex.
In this situation, make sure to charge the battery correctly (note that there are two types of batteries: dry and wet). Owners need to use specialized equipment to remove the battery from the scooter. The standard charging time is one hour or more.
For some types of scooters, the battery charging time can take up to 10 hours. If you cannot do this at home and want to ensure safety, seek help from skilled technicians at repair and maintenance centers. Charging a battery is straightforward, but if not done correctly, this component can be damaged and even pose a danger.
Faulty Starter Motor
The starter motor is one of the essential components responsible for starting the engine system. In scooters, it is the only starting component. Typically, the starter motor is very durable and rarely malfunctions. However, if the owner does not perform regular maintenance or uses it incorrectly, the starter motor can fail.
When the starter motor is damaged and cannot be repaired, it needs to be replaced. The cost of this component is around 600,000 to 700,000 VND. If you press the start button and hear a clicking sound from the relay while the starter motor shows no response, it is a sign that this component has failed. If the owner checks and cannot fix it, or knows that repairs won’t last long, they should consider replacement.
Faulty Spark Plug
Signs of a faulty spark plug include excessive black smoke, difficulty starting…
The spark plug is a relatively small component but plays a crucial role in helping the scooter start. Therefore, a faulty spark plug can lead to issues such as difficulty starting or failure to start the scooter.
Signs of a faulty spark plug include excessive black smoke, difficulty starting, a burnt smell during operation, a white color on the spark plug, worn electrodes, continuous engine stalling, and a burnt smell when starting. When this component fails, it should be repaired or replaced immediately.
If a new spark plug has been installed, the owner can use oil to clean it before continuing to use it. Replacement should only occur when the spark plug is completely damaged. In cases of water immersion, it is essential to remind the repair technician not only to dry the spark plug but also to clean any dirt and water at the base of the spark plug and the rubber cap.
Stuck Throttle
The throttle is a crucial component of the scooter. It allows users to control the speed of the scooter appropriately while on the road. If the scooter is not used for an extended period, the grease in the moving parts can dry out and cause dust accumulation, leading to a stuck throttle. When the throttle is stuck, the owner cannot start the scooter.
This is a difficult issue to fix independently, so the owner should look for a reputable service center to resolve it. The cost of repairing or replacing the throttle depends on the specific cause but typically remains under 500,000 VND.
