1989 Elite E no power when turned on

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JOHNBUZZZ
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1989 Elite E no power when turned on

Post by JOHNBUZZZ »

Hi guys,

I have a 1989 Elite E that isn't getting any power when turned on.

I charged the battery but I get nothing.

Any clues what the culprit may be?

Thanks,
John
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Re: 1989 Elite E no power when turned on

Post by JOHNBUZZZ »

I checked power at the ignition switch and that's fine. When I turn it to ON I get power across the Red and Black wires which is correct.

Maybe it's a bad brake switch. It's been awhile since I ran the thing consistently and I cannot remember if I have to have the brake pulled. Vaguely remember using it in college 7 years ago...
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Re: 1989 Elite E no power when turned on

Post by Wheelman-111 »

Greetings:

With the switch On and a good battery, the tail-lamp should come on and the brake lights and signals should work. Maybe the horn, but that takes a fully-charged battery. The headlamp runs AC directly off the alternator.

Batteries do go south in 3-4 years (2-3 in Deepinnaharta Texas garage heat...) and won't take a charge. Look for at least 12.8 volts.

If none of this is happening despite a good charge, the fuse right off the battery may have blown. Investigate why if it blows a second time.
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Re: 1989 Elite E no power when turned on

Post by JOHNBUZZZ »

I checked continuity on the fuse and it's fine.

No lights at all when I turn the scooter on although I had the oil drained and I did get the red oil light on the dash. I have since filled with new oil.

I'll check voltage on the battery but it was new last year and it did seem to fully charge.

Thanks for the reply.

Initially I thought maybe it's a bad ignition switch but when I checked it I got power across the black and red wire.

So to rule this out I can directly wire the red and black together, correct?
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Re: 1989 Elite E no power when turned on

Post by JOHNBUZZZ »

Thanks for the help. Got home and checked the voltage on the battery and I was at 7.5 volts.

I'll get a battery in the morning and hopefully she fires right up.

Thanks again.
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Re: 1989 Elite E no power when turned on

Post by Wheelman-111 »

Greetings:

Good that you found your Blackout cause. The thing is, the scooter should start without a charged battery. Ignition, like the headlight, doesn't depend on the battery at all. The Elite E has a kickstarter. Did you try it? Sometimes it's a good idea to prime the carb bowl by applying vacuum to the petcock vac line and let the carb fill before you begin kickage.
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Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
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Re: 1989 Elite E no power when turned on

Post by JOHNBUZZZ »

Got it to turn over. Wouldn't start. Took the carb apart and it was filled with gunk. I had a friend put regular 2 cycle oil in it awhile ago and I think that was the culprit. It started for about 5 seconds after cleaning the carb. Now I just need to adjust it.
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Re: 1989 Elite E no power when turned on

Post by JOHNBUZZZ »

The scooter will start with starter fluid and will stay running with WOT but dies if I let it idle down. It will not stay running without WOT.

Any idea what I should look for?

Thanks,
John
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Re: 1989 Elite E no power when turned on

Post by Wheelman-111 »

Greetings:

That's exactly how Flash II behaved with a cracked reed petal.
I suggest you check there for a chunk of filter foam, bent or cracked petals.
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Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
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Re: 1989 Elite E no power when turned on

Post by JOHNBUZZZ »

I did check the reed petals earlier and they were fine.

Do you think it could be a faulty bystarter. I'm going to go check it now.

This is really frustrating. I miss back in college when it would start up everyday even below 32 degrees.
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Re: 1989 Elite E no power when turned on

Post by JOHNBUZZZ »

I have a question.

If I disconnect the gas line from the carb and I turn the engine over, should the gas flow freely when the engine is just turning over?

I noticed that if I use starter fluid and turned the bike over, I wouldn't get gas flowing until the scooter started.

Should the vacuum be enough to open the petcock when the engine is just turning over?

Is this the symptom of a vacuum leak somewhere?
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Re: 1989 Elite E no power when turned on

Post by dun rite »

I know you cleaned the carb, but clean it again, and probably again. read this

http://hondaspree.net/wiki/index.php5?t ... r_Cleaning

and view this

http://hondaspree.net/wiki/index.php5?t ... ture_Guide

there very hard to get clean enough the first time or two.

Also. Never use starting fluid, it washes the cyl. clean of oil which is detrimental to cyl. life span. use fuel mix, or wd40
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Re: 1989 Elite E no power when turned on

Post by JOHNBUZZZ »

Thanks for the replies. I'll yank the carb off again and let it soak overnight. Hopefully that gets it running again.
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Re: 1989 Elite E no power when turned on

Post by JOHNBUZZZ »

The carb is spotless as before and reinstalled but same old problems.
Never starts on it's own. I have to prime with gas.
Engine will stay running at WOT but will die if left to idle.
Even if I let up off the throttle for a second, it will then die.

Any clues?
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Re: 1989 Elite E no power when turned on

Post by gookies »

I have this same problem. Hopefully, someone can help us both out.
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