PCX wouldn't start

[Share75]

I'm trying to work our why my PCX suddenly wouldn't start.

I've never had issues with my PCX not starting before. I drove it to the local shops yesterday, parked in a multi story car park where the motorcycle bay was on a slightly more than normal slope. Went to the shops, came back 30 mins later, tried to start the bike which turned over but refused to start.

I pushed it out of the car park so that when I called the AA, they would be able to find me better.

I tried for another 30mins trying to start it but it wouldn't. From experience, it sound and smelt like it was flooded.

I do remember once hearing that motorbikes don't like being parked on slopes as it can drain the fuel from a certain part of the engine. And that this can cause issues with starting.

I turned it off for about another 20 mins whilst I was waiting for the AA. Tried to start it again and it starting straight away but with a strong smell of petrol. I left it running for a bit while I cancelled the recovery/repair company (AA).

So I just wanted to ask if anyone else has experienced this or whether it is a true issue with parking on slopes?

Thanks in advance

[airhead83]

The 2014 PCX is fuel-injected, so the scoot shouldn't really be "flooded" since it has no carburetor.
What I'm proposing may or not apply to your scoot... but it's all I can think of.
Many bikes have a "disable switch" that will activate in the event a bike ends on its side in an accident or just a drop. As a safety precaution and to prevent the bike from still running with the possibility of fuel leaking out the fuel tank while on its side.
Generally, turning the switch off-and-on, in some sort of sequence and for some sort of timed schedule, will reset the electrical 'disable switch'.
Maybe you found the combination of reset the switch... or maybe your scoot just needed some prodding to get going.

[sc00ter]

My 2023 will pull this stunt once in awhile. It just "won't start" and you'll smell gas. I have to pull the throttle open when starting it, like goosing the gas pedal on a old car. This mostly happens if I move it a short distance. Rare but it happens.

I know this sounds silly but did you make sure someone didn't hit the kill switch? I fell for this recently when I accidentally hit the kill switch on a Buddy 125. It will still "turn over" but not start if the kill switch is hit to OFF. Wonder if the PCX does this as well?

Finally, I doubt the slant caused the Tip Sensor to trip but I guess it could happen? Anyways, please update your findings. Knowledge is power!

[iyernat]

I have had this happen once in a while on my 2021 PCX. Generally i believe it is gas-fill related. After I fill gas to the brim - (this happens very rarely and I cannot recreate it at will) - it will start for a second and turn off. Nothing helps at this point but time. If I do nothing for 30-60 minutes - it will start then. Not sure where the issue is. I have purchased a new gas door twistie cap. I am guessing it may have something to do with it unable to breathe for gas to flow. Again not sure. I will try to replace cap next time it happens. I have tried to provoke it by overfilling gas but could not recreate the issue yet. But I know that it will happen at the most difficult time again.

[iceman]

Not sure if this was the issue, and I had it once long ago, but the flooded engine start procedure is (or was) part of the owners manual and I believe covered here in the past:

Flooded Engine
If the engine fails to start after repeated attempts, it may be flooded.
1.
Open the throttle fully.
2.
Press the start button for 5 seconds.
3.
Follow the normal starting procedure.
4.
If the engine starts with unstable idle, open the throttle slightly. If the engine does not start, wait for 10 seconds, then follow steps 1 3 again.

[you you]

I have had this happen once in a while on my 2021 PCX. Generally i believe it is gas-fill related. After I fill gas to the brim - (this happens very rarely and I cannot recreate it at will) - it will start for a second and turn off. Nothing helps at this point but time. If I do nothing for 30-60 minutes - it will start then. Not sure where the issue is. I have purchased a new gas door twistie cap. I am guessing it may have something to do with it unable to breathe for gas to flow. Again not sure. I will try to replace cap next time it happens. I have tried to provoke it by overfilling gas but could not recreate the issue yet. But I know that it will happen at the most difficult time again.

Does your PCX have a catalytic converter?