Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rowdie3]

Hey, posting on behalf of a friend.
She lives in Sinchon (the one near Hongdae). Tried to start scooter today but nothing happened. No noise or anything. Was working yesterday. I think the battery is dead. What do you think?
What should she do if she can't start it? Is there a repair place to call that will come fix it at her house or does she have to push it somewhere? Anyone have a phone number for a repair shop in that area or know how to boost it? Thanks!

[Hotwire]

Put it in neutral.

Ride down a hill (with clutch held in if it has a clutch.) Or have friend push you.

When you begin to pick up speed, kick it into 1st gear. Should work.

I assume it's the electric start (battery prob) that's not working? Or is it the kick start (could be starter motor / plugs?)

Either way if my suggestion doesn't work (should work even if battery low and probs with starter motor / and maybe if plugs prob) then, yeah put it in neutral and walk it to the nearest scooter / autobike store. They always have a mechanic and I've never been charged more than 30,000 for repairs on my scooter....

[Drew345]

I live near Hongdae and went to my local scooter shop, where I go many times a year, and asked if he could come to my apartment and give me a jump start. Rotten guy said no way, push it to his shop. Darn, my scooter is on the 3rd floor basement.
I am afraid it may have to be pushed to a shop unless you find a nicer guy than I have. If anyone knows of other scooter shops near Hongdae, let us know, I am looking for a different shop for service, but can't find any except the one. They one I usually (used to) go to is down the road from Hongdae front gate just past the Cheongyiwa wedding hall on the right side.

[rowdie3]

Thanks for the good advice!
Will try to jump start it today and if not start pushing it to the place that Drew suggested.

[Drew345]

find a closer place, that place I mentioned was far from Sinchon and I meant to mention it as a place to avoid.

[rowdie3]

Cool. Will do.
Does anyone know of a scooter place in Sinchon?

[southernman]

If the above info doesn't work just ring up (or get a korean speaking friend to) the scooter shop you usually go to.

I've done this in two diferent cities, no problems at all and its free. On one occasion The man drove a truck to my place to pick up my bike it was about 8k's from his shop. Gave me a loaner (bigger bike) for 4 days, fixed the problem with the starter motor and wouldn't accept any form of payment from me.

I bought both scooters from those shops though

[drkalbi]

walk

[InDaGu]

Are you only trying the electric start, or have you tried kick-starting it?

Anyway, do you know anyone else with a scooter? You could always go to Emart and buy jumper cables and have a friend jump you (you do NOT want to do this with a car). I did this once, and got a good enough charge to get it to a shop to change the battery.

[Hugo85]

When you turn the key you should be able to see whether there is any current left in the battery, either by indicators lighting or by trying your lights. My guess is that there isn't.

If that is the case, buy a scooter battery charger, take the battery off your scooter and plug it in for 6-12 hour to give it maximal charge. Then pop it back in and give it a try.

[Troglodyte]

I agree that it's probably the battery. But you should have some reaction to turning the ignition. Unless the batter is totally dead, you should still hear some kind of clicking sound as the starter tries to turn the engine over.

The other things it could be are a fried starter motor, problem in the ignition, or bad/loose connections on the battery.

Try to kick, roll or push start it. If the problem is faulty starter motor, a problem with the ignition or just a dead battery then you should be able to kick/roll start it. If it's a dead battery (but not a broken batter) then running the engine for 15 minutes should recharge it. But keep in mind that this isn't something you should do on a regular basis. Vehicle batteries aren't meant to be drained. Draining them and then quick charging them (via the alternator/generator) will significantly lower their lifespan. If the alternator is broken then you won't be able to kick/roll start the bike. You also won't get very far even if you manage to charge the battery. But I don't think that's the problem. If it was, you'd have noticed it yesterday on the ride home (losing power) or you may have started it this morning but only gone a few km before the engine cut out.


The only way to identify the problem is to have someone familiar with engines take a look. Either a mechanic or even just someone who knows a bit about scooters. It's very hard to tell just from a written description.

[Joe Boxer]

I'm betting it's a loose spark plug, which is located under the panel near where your feet go.

If it's a 50cc moped we're talking about.

[Joe Boxer]

So, did you find the cause?

[Fishead soup]

Go to the Vespa dealership in Hyewha and get a real scooter

[machoman]

this happened to my scooter. u should try kickstarting it, or hold down the other break and starting it. my left hand break sensor malfunctioned and the bike wouldn't start. so i had to hold down the right hand break.