| We walk outside to run an errand, to go to school or | | | | Fourth: Jump Start-it - Scooters are not like cars. A |
| work, and UGH, our scooter won't start! How | | | | scooter battery can be so dead, that there is nothing |
| frustrating. Here are some basic things to check | | | | anyone can do to make it start, except charge the |
| quickly to get back on the road. | | | | battery or replace it. So in the meantime, jump-it. Now |
| - First: The basic questions: | | | | a word of caution. These little scooter batteries can |
| - Did you hold in the brake? (Some scooters require | | | | burn up quickly, so if you choose to jump it, only put the |
| the right brake to be pressed) | | | | cables on a few seconds, quickly start it and |
| - Is the kill-switch off? | | | | disconnect it. If you put on cables for 5-15 minutes, you |
| - Is the key all the way on? (Sounds dumb I know, but | | | | can destroy your battery. These scooter batteries |
| as a repair shop Manager, I get scooters in here all the | | | | can't handle the amps put out by car batteries. If you |
| time where the ignition is sticky and doesn't turn on all | | | | want to buy a trickle charger, get a 2 amp charger. |
| the way. The owners are embarrassed when I make | | | | Fifth: Pull out your can of Starting Fluid (you know, the |
| sure the ignition is turned all the way on, and the | | | | one you bought when you bought the scooter - every |
| scooter starts right up. Always works for the | | | | scooter owner should have a can), and spray some |
| mechanic, right?) | | | | fluid onto the UNI Air Filter you have on your |
| Second: Will it kick start? Try kick starting it. When kick | | | | carburetor. They try to start it again. If it starts, keep it |
| starting, don't give the scooter any gas (you might | | | | running with the throttle. Keep your Starting Fluid with |
| flood it). Try to kick start-it 5-10 times. If that doesn't | | | | you in the seat until you figure out what is going on |
| work, give it some gas and try again. | | | | with your scooter. |
| Third: Check the fuse next to the battery. Most fuse | | | | These steps should get most scooters going and get |
| boxes next to the battery have an extra fuse in case | | | | you on the road. If these don't work, it might be |
| the original one blew out. Check the fuse first. That | | | | something more serious, but at least we've done the |
| only takes a minute. If it's shot, replace it with the extra | | | | basics and saved us a repair bill for something that |
| one sitting in the case. | | | | was silly or easy to fix by ourselves. |