Start stop issue?

[shivayash]

Dear all,

I have a 2011 PCX that is now 14 months old. It has covered 3,500 miles, 95% of town use, I live in central London. It is mainly ridden two-up.

Of late I have noticed a serious fault and wonder if anyone has experienced the same. The start/ stop mechanism fails, this happens with the engine both hot and cold.

I ride the bike as usual, stop at a light, the start/ stop function activates, the light turns green, the bike doesn't re-start. This also happens some mornings with the engine cold. The bike won't start. I can hear the starter 'clicking' but the engine doesn't turn over. After a few minutes it starts fine, and the bike pulls away normally.

It happened again today, I was testing the start/ stop function. In the morning I rode without it on for fear of being late to work. On the way back, I flicked it on, and within minutes, the bike coughed at the next step of lights. Holding the starter button caused it to restart. Very odd behaviour for an otherwise excellent scooter.

Other points to note, I always use good quality petrol, Shell or BP, the normal stuff available in the UK is RON 95. I always have at least a quarter tank of fuel, but once did run it dry. Instantly I fuel up and it was fine again.

I suspect the fuel pump is at fault? When the bike doesn't start, I tried the horn, and the sound was very strong, if the battery was to blame, I'd expect the horn not to work as normal.

I'd be interested to hear the experiences, if any, of others, both in the UK and other regions.

[Woolley]

Never experienced that myself, although I have heard of it happening, can't remember what the outcome was though sorry. I'd take it to Honda and get them to sort it under warranty.

[edscoot]

I had a similar experience once or twice last summer, but it stopped happening of its own accord and I've had no issues since. Have you talked to your dealer? My experience was the engine didn't do anything until I switched the ignition off and on again and pressed the starter.
When the engine switches off you should be able to hear it do a reset rev to put the piston in the starting position. It's quiet but can be heard. Do you get this? It sounds more like a fault on the bendix on the starter motor to me if the starter spins but doesn't engage the flywheel.

[gn2]

The whole point of the ACG starter is that there is no bendix, the alternator is the starter.
Have heard of this problem before, it was fixed under warranty, I think the fault was a bad quality battery...?
Don't think it's related to fuel or you running it dry, mine once had a full tank of diesel in it and it still runs fine.

[maddiedog]

Take it into the shop.

I doubt the issue lies with the fuel pump, it sounds like it isn't engaging the starter when it should. You shouldn't hear any clicking... There's no solenoid in our starters, just a stator.