Battery drains quickly when connected

[sika85]

Hello everyone, this is my first post here

I'm having trouble with the electric starter on my Yamaha Jog-R (2007) which does not work. I have tried several things myself and searched in the internet for a solution but have yet to find a solution so this is kind of my last resort!

Problem
Electric starter does not work

Symtoms
1. When I press the starter (with the break hand pressed) there is only a (one) click sound, no turning of the engine
2. The battery drains fast directly after I plug it in (ignition off). First there is a spark when I touch the negative terminal, then the lights of the bike turns on, only to dim out completely in about 1 min. I have used a multimeter and it shows that when I plug negative terminal in the voltage decreases heavily and is below 9 v within a few minuets. Finally, the voltage will go down to almost zero.

The battery was completely new, but perhaps it was still broke. I have received a new battery, but I dare not to try it, afraid of destroying that also.

Possible causes
1. The starter motor is not receiving enough power, as is proposed here
2. ?
I'm thinking it might be a short circuit of some kind, but what would cause such a rapid drain?! Perhaps it is normal with a bad battery, but as mentioned, I dare not to try the new one again before knowing. I'm attaching a picture of a battery scheme if it helps for referencing.

Observe that I bought the scooter without a battery (it had been stolen from the last owner) so I do not know how it functioned before.


Link: postimg.org/image/xbssl5bv3/

[iwannascoot]

If you connect the battery with the key off and it sparks there is likely an electrical problem. I would suggest you unplug a bunch (that's a scientific term) of connectors and try to get to where you can attach the battery without the sparks. Do you have a meter? Measure the current and it should be zero amps or very nearly that with the key in the off position. You will have to get the current draw/short located and repaired before leaving the battery connected or it will ruin it if left connected.

If you have unplugged a bunch of connectors and the spark is gone then you can replug the one at a time to figure which circuit is causing the problem.

Billy

[sika85]

Thank you for your prompt reply.

I had this thought as well. I am beginner at this, so I imagine finding and disconnecting the right cables will be a tedious task. Do you have a hunch where the problem might be located? Also, I should mention that I myself extended the power cables for them to reach the battery (they were cut off before) - could I have done that wrong to cause the problem?

[90GTVert]

If your lights are coming on with the ignition off then I would start unplugging lighting connectors and the ignition switch.

It's possible that the wrong cables could be hooked to the battery, but I'm assuming the additional wiring itself is alright since you've obviously got power flowing.

[sika85]

First of all, thank you for your help with my previous problem, nice to feel that I don't need to face my problems myself

Now, the problem I described in my first post is solved. Embarrassingly, it was the cables that were plugged on the wrong way - the negative cable connected with one positive to the positive terminal. There is no drainage now.

However, the scooter still does not start. The new battery is fully charged (~12.5v).

(Below, the first problem, the electric starter, have the higher priority.)
Problem
1. The electric starter does not work
2. The kickstarter has also gradually stopped working. It turns when kicked, but the engine does not start. In short, I cannot start the scooter at all.

Symtoms
1. When I press the starter (with the break handle pressed) there is only a (one) click sound, no turning of the engine
2. I have used the kickstarter quite a lot since there was not battery connected when I bought it. In the beginning the scooter would start on the first kick, but the recent month a lot of kicks have been required and now I can't get to start at all. (I read first now that one should only use the kickstarter when absolutely necessary.)

Possible causes
1. ?
2. Worn out (don't know how to fix).

[90GTVert]

I would begin with the actual starting issue. If the kick starter turns the engine over at a reasonable rate, then there's no reason it shouldn't start related to the kick starter. First thing to do is to check for spark.



Here is some troubleshooting help that covers the electric starter and the other systems involved :
49ccscoot.proboards.com/thread/647/start-troubleshooting?page=1


Let us know how it goes so we can continue to help as needed.