A person who has just bought a moped does not know how to start this equipment in other ways besides using the ignition keys. But sometimes situations happen when you have lost the keys to it, and at the same time you urgently need to go somewhere. In this article we will tell you in detail about known methods of starting the engine without a key.
Two ways to start a moped with the ignition key
First, you need to make sure that there is gasoline in the gas tank. Now you need to put the moped on the stand and turn the ignition key to the “on” position (sometimes marked in English with the letters “on”). If everything is done correctly, the panel should light up and the needle on the speedometer will rise and fall. Then fold back the kickstarter foot and press it sharply with your foot, continue until the engine starts. This method of starting a moped always works; for the most part it is used when the battery is very discharged. Also, after winter, the moped needs to be started only with a kickstarter, since the battery could have lost a lot of charge.
The standard way to start a moped
If there is gasoline in the tank and the battery is normal, then starting is usually done with an electric kickstarter. Be sure to turn the ignition key to the “ON” position, then hold down the brake handle, and only then can you press the start button. Do not release the brake until the engine starts.
Let's start
The scooter engine start circuit is quite simple, understandable and universal, even in cases where the scooter starts when cold. First you need to insert the ignition key and immediately turn it. Then hold down the brake lever. Give a little gas and press the start button. It is important not to forget to remove the scooter from the side stand, since on some branded and Japanese models, due to the unremoved side stand, a special sensor may be triggered when the engine starts, which will prevent it from starting from the starter.
If the scooter is technically in full working order and it’s not very cold outside, then literally after a couple of seconds the engine should already be rattling peacefully, even if you start it when it’s cold - and you’ll be able to go about your business after just a few minutes of warming up the engine. Why is it important to wait? Because when driving when cold there is too much load, which is bad for the engine. [ads-pc-1]
A little about driving a moped
Driving a moped is not that difficult; anyone can do it. On the right side there is a lever to control the front brake, and on the left side there is a rear brake. The instrument panel contains auxiliary controls for the moped.
There is a handle on the right side, you can use it to add gas. This is done by rotating the knob; turning it towards you adds gas. There are also additional switches, for example, to turn on the lights and turn signals. There are also buttons for the horn and starter.
Spark plug gap
Spark plug gap is an important factor for proper engine operation. This parameter plays an important role in the process of spark formation, ignition of the fuel mixture, and efficient operation of the scooter throughout the entire speed range. The gap should be specified in the documentation for the specific scooter - this parameter may vary among manufacturers. Generally speaking, for most modern four-stroke Chinese and Japanese mopeds, the gap on the spark plugs is from 0.5 to 0.8 millimeters. It is necessary to monitor this parameter. For this reason, the spark may disappear. She leaves because the gap is too big.
How to start a moped without an ignition key
We strongly recommend that you always have a spare key just for such cases. If you purchased a moped secondhand, then immediately make a couple of duplicates.
If you have such a situation, but there are no keys, then you will have to find a way out of it. It is best to call a specialist - he will be able to competently replace the ignition switch, and it will take him a little time to do such work. If you are sure that you can handle it without specialists, then below we will share with you information on how you can start a moped without a key.
To get to the ignition switch, first remove the shield protecting it. There you will see 2 bolts that secure the contactor. Unscrew them carefully. Insert a flat and strong screwdriver into the contactor, and then slowly but firmly turn the core. This position is also called “safe start”, the fact is that in this mode the moped will not take off quickly.
If you were unable to disassemble the ignition switch, then carefully remove the chip from it. There should be a contact pair underneath it. By connecting the contacts with a piece of wire, you can start the moped. Remember, all recommendations do not guarantee 100% success; you perform all actions at your own peril and risk, because with such manipulations you can completely break the ignition switch.
There is another method, but it is more dangerous, since it turns off all the electrics of the moped. To do this, you need to remove the headlight and find under it a bunch of wires coming from the ignition. Among them, there is usually black and white (or completely green). That's what we need. We just pull it out and try to start the moped from kickstarter.
Problems
Many owners are faced with all sorts of engine starting problems.
Especially if the engine starts cold. Often the engine seems to start normally, but stalls almost immediately. What to do in such a situation? Look for a breakdown. Perhaps it's a clogged carburetor? This is believed to be the most likely reason for this engine behavior. Other possible reasons: - the mass does not contact well; — the switch is faulty; — the spark plug is poorly cleaned or the air filter is not working properly.
In any case, in such a situation, it is recommended to take the unit to a service station to show it to the technician. Or you can try to fix it yourself. For example, cleaning a carburetor is not that difficult if you have mechanical and electrical knowledge.
There can be worse breakdowns, for example, the pistons with rings may be faulty. Or the valves may need to be adjusted, and this is not a very simple matter for a novice motorcycle owner. The problem may also be that you start it cold and the oil has thickened. You may also need to set the ignition parameters correctly.
If the scooter does not start, experts recommend checking the ignition system. since this is the most common cause of abnormal engine starting. So, first, let's unscrew the spark plug and inspect it. If the spark plug is melted at the location of the electrodes, it must be replaced with a new one. If the candle is wet (the candle has been flooded?), then you must first remove it from the cap and then dry the candle. This can be done by simply leaving the candle in the sun or in a dry room for a while.
But you can speed up this process by drying the candle on a gas stove or burner. If you don't have them on hand, you can use a hairdryer. The dried spark plug needs to be put back into the cap and checked to see if there is a spark by placing the spark plug on the unpainted part of the engine and turning the kickstarter. If there is a spark, it is strong and powerful, blue in color, then everything is in order with the candle.
If the spark is weak, yellow or there is no spark, then you need to replace the spark plug with a new one. After installing the new spark plug, we try to start the engine. If it doesn't start, then the problem is not with the spark plug.
If there is no spark, it is worth checking the serviceability of the spark plug cap. In this case, you need to unscrew the cap from the wire and bring the wire to the metal part of the engine. Turn the crankshaft with the ignition on. If there is a spark, we eliminate the problem with connecting the cap and wire. And we try to start it again.
But if there is no spark on the wire, then a so-called “current leakage” is possible - a situation when somewhere a wire is exposed and touches a metal part of the engine. In this case, you need to find and fix this problem.
If everything is in order with the wire, but there is no spark, then more complex breakdowns may occur: - a problem with the ignition coil; — switch malfunction; - problem with the Hall sensor.
In this case, you will have to disassemble everything and replace it with an exactly working spare part. Or you can take your iron friend to a service station.
But what to do if everything is fine with the spark, but the engine still won’t start? There may be a problem with the fuel system. In this case, there may be two options? either at the moment the engine starts, too little fuel is supplied, or, conversely, too much. Then you need to take it apart and look? where and how gasoline flows. Do not forget that the tank may be running low on fuel and the engine will not start because of this.
How to start a moped from a pusher
While there are two main ways to start an engine, there are many other options as well.
With a rope
The first step is to get to the generator, which is located on the back side, in any way that is harmless to the equipment. We find the impeller there - you need to wrap a rope around it 5 times clockwise, to do this you can tie a knot at the end of the rope and insert it from the very beginning between a pair of blades. And then you will need to pull it hard, you may not succeed the first time, so most likely you will have to make several attempts.
You can learn more about this method from the video:
From the pusher
People have the opinion that if a moped has a CVT, then it cannot be started in this way. In fact, this is just a myth; experts have carried out tests many times - nothing bad will happen.
For this method to work, you need to get to the clutch bell; to do this, carefully remove the protective cover of the variator. Next, we will need to lock the bell and clutch together. This is done as follows: take the nut from the variator protective cover, and then insert it with force so that it is fixed there. To implement this method you will definitely need an assistant. He will push the moped, and you must press the variator strap at the right time during acceleration, so you will be able to turn the wheel. When the engine starts, the nut will fall to the ground by itself, so you won't lose it - no need to worry about that.
Is it possible to drive without a battery?
Experienced owners of scooters and mopeds can start them in any way - from kickstarter to using the most ordinary drill. There are amateurs who even write about this on their forums: “I’ve been driving without a battery for a month now and don’t bother about it.”
However, the consequences of constantly driving without a battery can be very disastrous for a moped. First of all, this concerns lighting devices: the bulbs in the turn signals burn out, the headlights do not burn well, the backlight begins to act up.
Why does this happen? Let's find out the reason.
If the moped has a battery, it is regularly recharged from the generator. But when it is not there, the current generated by the generator begins to flow into all devices: it simply cannot evaporate or dissolve in the air. As the driving speed increases, the voltage begins to increase, and the entire lighting system of the moped can “fly” at any moment. And the lamps themselves, in the absence of a battery, work much worse, because they simply do not have enough energy. They can shine dimly, blink, or even burn out due to uneven distribution of energy.
Based on this, we can conclude: driving for a long time without a battery can lead to the failure of all lighting. And not only him. For example, in this situation the generator is also forced to work in increased mode, which leads to its breakdown. You should think carefully before constantly driving in this manner.
It is best to purchase a suitable battery for your scooter - despite the fact that for some lovers of “trouble-free” riding, caring for the battery seems cumbersome. However, it is precisely to such people that we owe the fact that we now have at least several ways to start a moped without a battery in an emergency.
Vandal way to start a moped
This method should be used in the most urgent case, when you really need to go somewhere. The fact is that you will be able to start the moped, but only in the future you will have to replace the ignition switch.
The roughest way to start a moped without an ignition key
To implement this starting technique, we only need a screwdriver. It should be pushed forcefully into the well and then turned. You don’t have to remove the screwdriver, in which case the engine will definitely start and not stall. This option is also used by some motorists when there are no other solutions.
We use kickstarter
The process of starting through a kickstarter (winding claw) looks somewhat different, even if the start is done cold. Firstly, you definitely need to set the side step. We insert the ignition key, but do not turn it, but put it in the “off” position. Now you need to turn the kickstarter foot several times to bleed the engine. Then we turn the ignition key. We press the brakes and give a little gas. And once again we turn the engine through the foot? Only now the scooter should start. That's all. Don’t worry if the starter spins for a long time when you start it cold. This is the usual scheme for starting an engine via a kickstarter. Before such a start, do not forget to set the footrest for your safety.
Method for Alpha mopeds, Japanese mopeds and scooters
The method is to disable the switch, but it only works on scooters and mopeds from Japanese and, sometimes, Chinese manufacturers.
To disable it, you will need to remove the ignition switch protective shield. Under it there are 4 wires according to the standard, white, black, red and green - these wires supply power. The remaining wiring is the switch; after disconnecting it, the moped can be started using the kickstarter.
Attention!
Be careful as removing this wiring may turn off all other wiring on the moped (turn signals, headlights, etc.)
You can see more about this method in the video:
Cleaning the elements correctly
Every owner of motorcycle and automobile equipment should know how to properly clean spark plugs from carbon deposits. Most beginners try to restore parts themselves and then wonder why they don't work.
A better effect can be achieved if you use a sandblaster. If there is none, you can try cleaning with just sand. To do this, you should purchase an electric drill and sand in a bucket. Next, take the candle and clamp it in the drill chuck by the thread on the top. Large threads are wrapped with tape. The part is then lowered into the bucket and the tool is started. After some time, the electrodes and insulator will be cleaned. If the spark is lost for this reason, the scooter spark plug will work properly again.
How to start a moped in cold weather
There is no snow at all on some highways in the winter, so you can drive on them without any problems. But the “iron horse” is not always ready to start easily at subzero temperatures. Now we will tell you how to properly operate a moped in winter.
The first step in winter is to refuel with fresh gasoline, and also be sure to replace mineral oil with synthetic oil. If you leave it, the mineral oil will always be thick in the engine, and this will have a detrimental effect on its performance. To start, it is better to use a kickstarter rather than an electric starter, since the battery voltage sags greatly when exposed to cold. When starting, add a little more gas than usual, so the engine will not stall. Sometimes, when the oil thickens, some smart people heat it up using a gas burner. In modern vehicles this usually does not happen if the oil is synthetic.
If you follow all starting recommendations, the moped will start at a temperature not lower than -20 degrees Celsius. When you are able to start it, we recommend letting the engine warm up for at least 5-10 minutes.
The wires may vary in color, so you perform all actions at your own peril and risk. Remember, if done incorrectly, all electronics may fail.
Preliminary diagnosis
Before using one of the methods for starting the engine in an unusual situation, you should check the serviceability of the motorcycle. The main thing is to check whether there is gasoline in the tank, since the fuel consumption of two-wheeled vehicles can vary greatly depending on the riding style and some bikers do not have time to monitor the availability of fuel. It is useless to look at the sensor, since it often malfunctions. The best way is to unscrew the tank cap and look inside to make sure there is fuel.
To start a motorcycle after a long period of inactivity, you need to make sure that fuel can reach the engine. The fuel system pipes must be in place, the carburetor caps must be closed, and the fuel tap must be open. The ignition must be turned on, since the engine will not be able to start without firing the spark plug. Also remember if there have been any symptoms of engine failure recently - strange knocking noises at high speeds, a sudden stop in fuel supply, and others.
Before starting the engine, perform one more small check:
- The footrest must be raised;
- The key is turned to the working position;
- Neutral gear must be selected.
If everything is normal, you can begin the procedure. Try not to lose control of the motorcycle while starting the engine, as this often leads to disastrous consequences.
Why doesn't the moped start with the button?
This problem is very common among owners of motorcycles, mopeds and scooters. If you cannot start the engine from the button, then the problem lies in the fuse. It is located in the battery compartment; to check its functionality we will need a multimeter.
The multimeter handle must be turned to measure DC current. Measure the voltage at the ignition key without and with a fuse. The instrument readings should be the same in both cases. If you detect a voltage deviation of 2 volts or more, the fuse must be replaced immediately. The malfunction may also be hidden in the engine start circuit; to do this, you need to determine the integrity of the wires going to it. The multimeter has such a function, so you can check it yourself. To know which wires to check, you can find the moped's wiring diagram on the manufacturer's website. But you need to be able to read such diagrams correctly; if you do not have this knowledge, then it is better to seek help from professionals.
Now you know various ways to start a moped if you have lost the key. All options can only be used for your own benefit; we do not recommend using them for fraudulent purposes, as this is punishable by law. Make yourself duplicate keys, and then you will not have problems if you lose them, we wish you success!
How to start a moped (or scooter) without an ignition key: 7 different ways
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We start the scooter if it stalls on the way
How to start a scooter if the battery fails on the road and the moped does not move? A minimal set of available tools and a small rope can provide a valuable service. We get to the treasured fan again, wind the rope from left to right - so that its end comes out through the exhaust pipe, which is located below.
Now turn the ignition and, with the moped running, begin to pull the rope. The engine will start to turn over, and if your moped has compression, fuel supply and ignition in order, it will start at half a turn.
Diffuser
The diffuser is the component of the speaker that converts electromagnetic vibrations into sound. It comes into contact with the speaker housing and the electromagnet, making free vibrations to create sound waves. Between the body and the diffuser there is often a gasket made of soft flexible material. This buffer allows the diffuser to move over a larger range to create sound waves at a higher frequency. Diffusers can be made from a variety of materials, including paper, mylar, and plastic. Due to its availability and low cost, paper is a particularly famous material.