Electric Starter Problems With a Gas Scooter

An electric scooter needs fuel, spark and cylinder compression to run. Check your scooter's fuel tank by opening the gas cap and looking inside. The problem may lie with an incorrect gas gauge display.

Basic Requirements

• Certain scooters need the front brakes engaged in order to start. scooter image by Vonora from Fotolia.com

  Many electric scooter starters require that the ignition be turned on, the kill switch in the correct position, the rear brake squeezed and the ignition button pushed in order to start. Some scooters have interlocks on the center stand or front brakes as well. Be sure you are following all of the manufacturer's requirements to start the bike.

Electrical Problems

• If you've performed all the operations necessary to start your scooter but it still won't start, you may have an electrical problem. Check that the battery is charged and look for blown fuses. If the battery is charged and your electrical circuit is complete, the starter should be sending voltage to the starter motor's terminals. If the starter motor's terminals are receiving voltage but the bike still won't start, you may have a faulty starter.

Stale Fuel

• Gasoline can become stale in your tank in less than 60 days. Stale fuel smells like varnish and leaves deposits in the carburetor's jets. If the bike has been unused for a few months, you may need to remove and clean the carburetor, and replace the old gas with fresh fuel.