It won't start!

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Tnoodler
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It won't start!

Post by Tnoodler »

Attempting to start scooter, all dash lights come on (not the engine light) and seems normal. All switchology correct, nothing, does not make a peep. Never happened before.
-Yes, side stand is up.
-It is not the battery. Charged just fine with battery tender, and I even swapped another battery in.
-Checked fuses in the tiny "fuse box" in the battery compartment. All seem fine.
-Has been running just fine, I do hose the bikes down twice a week since I am next to ocean.

Is it possible the side stand switch is busted? I tried to view it but I don't understand how it works, I mean I couldn't get a good angle to view it. Any ideas? Appreciate any input that might save me from a painful trip down to the scooter store!
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gn2
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Re: It won't start!

Post by gn2 »

Pulling the left brake lever hard enough?
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Tnoodler
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Re: It won't start!

Post by Tnoodler »

Yes, read some other no-start posts and tried that. Although we have owned this for months with no issues. Tried cycling the side stand a few times while trying to start thinking it might be sticking but still nothing. No clicking or anything. I am wondering if I shorted something by hosing it off.
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Re: It won't start!

Post by iceman »

Does the fuel pump kick in to get fuek into the system when you turn on the ignition? That said, if you do not hear anything, total silence when starting then it's something else. No flashing lights on the dash to indicate a fault?
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Tnoodler
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Re: It won't start!

Post by Tnoodler »

No, no flashing lights and absolutely no noise when I press start button. I do notice that the engine light does not even momentarily come on like the manual says it should momentarily. Are there other fuses besides those in the fuse box that you know of? Thank you.
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Re: It won't start!

Post by pcx man »

Put the bike on the center stand and see if the rear wheel turns freely. I remember a case where the belt & variator jammed and would not let the engine turn. Try to start it on the center stand. Also check to see if the brake light works with left and right brake lever. It maybe that it will not start if the bulb is bad.
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Re: It won't start!

Post by Tnoodler »

Rear wheel spins freely with only a slight bit of friction but seems normal. Both brake levers are working and bulbs ok. I notice headlamp does not come on, but don't recall if that comes on prior to engine start?
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Re: It won't start!

Post by you you »

Tnoodler wrote:Rear wheel spins freely with only a slight bit of friction but seems normal. Both brake levers are working and bulbs ok. I notice headlamp does not come on, but don't recall if that comes on prior to engine start?

Flat battery?
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dkazzed
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Re: It won't start!

Post by dkazzed »

you you wrote:Flat battery?
What would flatten the battery? An elephant stepping on it? Wouldn't that wreck the rest of the scooter?
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gn2
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Re: It won't start!

Post by gn2 »

Not if the mahout gets the battery out first.
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Mel46
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Re: It won't start!

Post by Mel46 »

The start system is relatively straight forward. If you are certain beyond a doubt that the battery is good, then make sure the side stand switch is still good. (I would say that a full 90% of the start problems are because of the battery or the side stand switch.) You might be able to bypass it with some small jumper wires. Also, the main fuse 1 and fuse 2 are both in that circuit. So is the relay which is Starter/Charging Relay, which is above the battery. Before you start digging into everything though, I would first get a can of air and blow the switches on the brake handles to make sure the contacts are working correctly. Then flip the Start switch back and forth while the key is in the ON position. If you hear the fuel pump cycle you will know that part is good. Do all of the testing with the bike on its center stand and the side stand up. That will give you fewer things that you might forget. Once you get past those we can revisit this problem. I have a shop manual and there is a whole section on stater problems.
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Re: It won't start!

Post by you you »

Does the engine light come on or not? You seem to contradict yourself.

When the ignition is swiitched on do the indicators and brake lights work?
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Re: It won't start!

Post by you you »

dkazzed wrote:
you you wrote:Flat battery?
What would flatten the battery? An elephant stepping on it? Wouldn't that wreck the rest of the scooter?

It's a lead acid accumulator if you really want to try at this sort of thing. Over to you now as I'm not going to get involved in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.
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Re: It won't start!

Post by GeeGusKahn »

.
Have you checked the kill switch ??
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Re: It won't start!

Post by Mel46 »

PCX Starter Circuit.jpg
PCX Starter Circuit.jpg (193.23 KiB) Viewed 12103 times
I hope this helps you. It is the electrical starter circuit.
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Re: It won't start!

Post by iceman »

The 1st post suggested a 2nd battery was tried so it can't be a flat battery (as the other was trickle charged anyway). Is the kill switch just on certain models? Don't even know where mine would be, if it's fitted. Also surprised to see the diagram suggest either brake can be pulled in to start the bike - always thought it was only the left one (rear).
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Re: It won't start!

Post by Tnoodler »

Of course my buddy shows up with his truck and the thing starts fine. I believe is was a short in the kill switch--maybe a case of water intrusion. I noticed when moving the key to start position, with the kill switch in the "kill" position, I got the same indications as when the scooter was failing to start. Played with the side stand after it was running and the side stand switch did its job perfectly.

Appreciate all the recommendations, and thanks for the diagram MeI46!
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Re: It won't start!

Post by gn2 »

Kill switch only fitted to north american model in place of the idle stop switch.
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Re: It won't start!

Post by waspmike »

dkazzed wrote:
you you wrote:Flat battery?
What would flatten the battery? An elephant stepping on it? Wouldn't that wreck the rest of the scooter?
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Re: It won't start!

Post by mhrunge »

Just had this very same issue, after investigating, was found to be a dirty fuse, replaced all while I was at it and the bike runs great now. 2011 PCX Thai made with 47k KM...
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