Scooter 911: Battery Keeps Going Dead! (Troubleshoot your charging system and parasitic drain)
Вставка
- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- Video Highlights:
1:13 - Tools you will need
2:06 - Check your battery
2:40 - Is your charging system working?
3:28 - How does the Charging system work?
4:36 - How to test the stator
5:52 - How to check the regulator/rectifier
7:17 - How to diagnose a parasitic drain
9:11 - Bloopers
What do you do if your battery keeps going flat? You re-charge and reinstall the battery only to find it going dead in a few days. In this video I will take you through a complete troubleshoot of your scooter's charging system. The video includes an in-depth breakdown of how your charging system works as well as testing procedures for your stator, and your regulator/rectifier (voltage regulator).
The troubleshooting in this video is done on a Genuine Buddy 150. But because the Genuine Buddy is based on a GY6 platform you can use this video to troubleshoot other Chinese and Taiwanese scooters made by Lance, Tao Tao, SYM, Rokketa, Italika, Genuine, Dong Fang and many others.
Here is a great multimeter for home use: amzn.to/2NAAe5S
Here is a great battery charger for home use: amzn.to/2LG99wW
If you have a suggestion, or an idea for another episode of scooter 911 leave it in the comment section!
/ garretseesingofficial
#Scooter #GenuineBuddy #Scooter911
I'm a certified motorcycle technician and this video was better than the training I paid mucho bucks for! Good job.
Hey dude, the bloopers at the end of the video was very funny. The instruction was excellent to outstanding.
😊😊😊
Aloha, I have a gy6 50 cc moped. And I have a electricial issue. I replaced the battery, the stator, the cdi, and ect. If I leave the bike off for more than 2 days and wen I go start it the battery act like it's dead
This is by far the clearest and easiest video on GY6 electrical system I have seen. Top job!
Compared to my many years of watching clips from others........You fully earned the accolades!
Faaaaacctttsss
I've been a backyard mechanic for years and considered myself somewhat knowledgeable. Never knew the stator produced AC, and the rectifier converted it to DC. Very helpful video. Thanks for posting.
You are the ChrisFix of scooters. Straight forward. No bs sponsor stuff. Hats off to you brother.
I just want to say that I’m a new scooter owner which has tons of problems !! This video has single handedly taught me how to diagnose my charging system!! Great video
So glad to hear it!
Thanks so much 👍🏽
Your step by step training is for sure the best teaching yet.
What a great feeling it is learning this stuff from you,
Really appreciate your hard work!
Your classic videos are a national monument 😂
@@lazyboy91113 dude thank you very much!
Round of applause. Amazing. Outstanding quality. I fully appreciate your time and effort!
😁👍
Thank you so much! Glad you liked it and I hope it helped you!
Thanks Garrett, I've been having numerous problems with my scooter ( motomia 170 sport) and having watched your vids i was able to correctly diagnose and repair my baby. Thank you without your vids this would not have been possible.
So glad to hear it my friend! Keep it shiny-side up!
You are the Mr. Rogers of scooters and it makes me so happy.
Thank you on levels of gratitude I cant even begin to express.
Those are some kind words neighbor. Glad to help!
omg you saved my life a little with this one.
I had watched the video some time ago but just recently picked up a 50 cc buddy.
It's missing the front cover - salvage auction.
The fargin' rectifier was disconnected!
Whether intentional or vibration I don't know but the voltage didn't drop when revving now that's it reconnected.
I will be using this to deliver food as an only source of income so it's important.
I had to come home yesterday as it got only to the point of kick-starting.
You are the best!
Now out into that 96 degree weather. lol.
Literally just finishing fixing my scooter for a 1/10th the price of taking it to the garage thanks to you. You're a star! thanks bro
Just wanted to say thanks for this video. Helped me trace a faulty seat opening actuator on a Vespa GTS 300 as being the cause of a battery drain that killed the battery on a brand new bike after 1 week! Pulled fuses untik draw dropped from 250ma to 0.004 ma (I wouldn't have known a good reading without this video) then went through the things associated with that fuse. When i pulled the seat actuator it dropped to 0.004ma. Now just need to get it all done under warranty. Thanks for getting us back on the road.
make it looks like a 90s sitcom while explaining technical stuff and makes them easy.
THX DUDE !
Just replaced my battery and soon taking it in for an oil change. This was a great video and will allow me to have an informed conversation with the guy at the shop. Thanks very much for making this easy to follow and learn! Great tempo and visuals!
The best videos on the UA-cam. This man has saves me a lot of money and time and has taught me a ton.
thanks brother , you helped me to understand how to use my voltmeter better too. manuals dont have real good details . fixed my bike doing exactlly what you said , only took 1.5 hrs. no issues..great job !!
Nice work!
These are some great tips! I gotta get myself a multi meter! Ever since I had my 49cc scooter upgraded to a 100cc I've been getting all sorts of problems! I recently find myself having to constantly charge my battery every few days, so after watching this video I am convinced that there definitely must be something draining my battery while it's off.
Wow! I'm so glad I could shed some light on the subject! Let me know how the diagnosing goes! I'll be here if you have any further questions.
How many sound effects do you want?
Garret: YES
Hahahaha that made my morning
@@Scooter_911 love your videos btw man, don't pick this comment as a hate comment because it's not intended as a hate comment :D keep up the amazing videos, it helps me with my scooter alot :D
@@-never-gonna-give-you-up- don't worry I didn't take it that way. I can always appreciate a good joke.
@@Scooter_911 nice mate keep it up, 1+ subscriber ;)
@@-never-gonna-give-you-up- and that legitimately made me laugh out loud
Very useful. I had no idea where to start to begin to diagnose this problem.
@@NelsonStJames you can do it!
Without you I would be so lost right now- thanks for all you've done to educate us!!
Hi Garret! Thank you for your help with my recent battery issue. Your team went above and beyond, from picking the scooter up on time and resolved the issue the same day at below the estimated cost. I highly recommend you shop and services. Thanks again! Bryan M.
This was a great video, you kept it slow enough and covered the basis enough that I can share this and your other very helpful videos to the individuals I sale scooters too as is after I've gone through them and know when I sale them they are good to go. Often times though, down the road (literally) said people will have a problem and "forget" what "as is" meant, so I text/share the appropriate self-help video that you have.
I have had many motorcycles over my 55+ years alive but my first scooter is a
genuine buddy 50 two stroke. Now I have two 250; '86 Honda helix & '05 cfmoto royale, 3 150cc; a Honda ruckus with a cfmoto 150 gy6 modified, an 2013 sym Wolf jet 2 classic and a Tao Tao 150 sunny, and two Tao Tao 50's one with a 100cc big bore kit and your videos have greatly helped me to repair and loan/sale scooters to persons in need of transportation while trying to get their lives back on track or while they experience a new way of life following rules and guidelines they didn't use to follow. Please keep up the good work and keep your videos coming.
Wow thank you very much for that comment and thank you even more for sharing my videos with your customers!
Very clear and concise information especially if one is a novice. You should be an full time instructor and not just get grease under your nails. Keep going with your great instructional videos.
Wow, those are kind words. Thanks Doug, there are more to come!
I really like how you test the stator without pulling it first.
Man,yours techings are awesome,tried to learn from others ,and nothing. Until saw your video. You explaning exelent!
Thank you so much! Glad to help!
On batery there are two data: voltage and amper/hour.
You talk a lot about voltage, and nothing about amperage.what is amount od amperage that regler send to accu?..thank you for reply.
I got the exact same tool box (box on the left) knew I could trust the video instantly. I wonder what year the box was made ive had it my whole life.
Great video ... short, simple and to the point. Like the sound effects, they help keep my attention.
Nice explanation. Usually garage staff will not check this much deep to recognize the real problem. They usually tell to replace the battery. Even I have charged my scooter battery its not working. After watching this video I need to find out the real problem with my scooter.
So glad to hear it! Hope you figure it out!
This video was very enLIGHTening
Booo, go home
Thank you for doing this video. Your video has more informative than most out there. Keep up the good work man.
Thanks dude! More to come!
Best video on the topic i have ever seen.
@@hansmarheim7620 that is very kind! Thank you very much!
Wow! Great in formation , I got a moped from China and no one wanted to touch it . But I follow all your videos . Till I found it was the the batty and my tail light . Thank you for you sharing this video .
Holy crap!
Do you do other vids lol!
Best DIY how to video ive ever seen.
Definitely earned my subscription 🙌
GREAT JOB ! YOU FOR SURE NOT WHAT YOU DOING, I learn alot from you now don't know the CHARGE of it but it did help me , thanks Kimm
Thank you so much! And nice pun!
Thanks for the video. I'm sure it will help someone. Its nice to get some in depth detail
I have a suggestion for another episode. How to adjust the idle. And not "Where is the idle screw". I think we all know HOW do adjust it, but where to adjust it is the real problem. How to diagnose it when its too low, and too high, etc.
Wow that is an excellent suggestion! Coincidentally my next planned video will be a carburetor rebuild video. Maybe I will make it a 2 part series and have the second video be "how to properly adjust your carburetor"
doing homework for future project coming up. You get an "A" Thank you very much! will review again.
The way you explained this was amazing thanks!
Buddy, I just discovered your videos. You are awesome. The info, super helpful, your sense of humor... on point! Your ending statement "Bucket of bolts and people who work on them are not smarter than you...." GENIUS! and the outtakes to show that effort goes into the videos to get it right. Not to mention "the editing" - The hell behind the scenes that viewers don't see or understand how much time goes into it. If you read this far... Cheers. Just a big high five bro!!!
You're explanation is very clear, anyone can understand thanks for sharing
Great video. I've been lucky enough to visually find drain issues, But loving you refined tactics.
I can't get enough of you videos thank you I am learning a lot
Great Videos Garrett. Particularly liked the adjustment for valves. Here are some thoughts for Future videos. Tire management - How often to replace/tread wear to stay safe, What's the difference in short case vs Long case GY6 motors, how to replace a long axle with short axle (one I am currently working on with an MZ Moskito 125R), how to replace stator, Vacuum vs Gas lines and that PITA gas valve with the vacuum line actuator, Performance Air intake system and bypass/plug vacuum lines, what else......ethanol vs Non-ethanol gas and premium vs 87 octane -ethanol wear on gaskets and fuel leak into crankcase..........replacing CCV belt.
Awesome as usual, Garrett!!!!!🎉❤
I love your fitst couple of episodes. Not problems I'm currently having but enlightening(no pun intended) nonetheless. I'd like to hear a simple description of the main functional differences between a Vespa, which I think we all wish we were driving, and the cheap chinese one I'm actually driving. So far the lessons seem universal(props on that) but I'd be interested in knowing when you get into engine/exhaust/component systems how much variation to expect or if they maintain a certain standard of quality control that means I can apply what I learn to my ride just that easy. Keep up the good work.
That's a really interesting idea! It would be really neat to do the LX150 against that LX150 clone! Or even an old PX against one of the Indian PX clones like the Bajaj or the Stella!
Thanks for the video bud , you made this pretty straight forward .
Even for someone like me who cant even wire
up a house lamp or dont understand how to use multimeters very easy to understand ,
Keep up the great work, i will pass this information on to my friends. Thanks for making this video super helpful ,keep up the great work
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆.
Thank you very much!
Hi. Great channel with lots of useful tips. Thank you for sharing. The only suggestion so far is to keep the sound effects at a lower volume than your voice. I had to go over some portions a few times to understand what you were saying.
Nice video, thanks. And am happy to see a corner front of my Favorite car , Ford Pinto. I know that everybody blame the Pinto, but my experience was 10 years with no problems, only simple maintenance. And I was avoiding to purchase it from a Friend. Thanks again.
You really simplify how to work on my scooter
Just purchased a 2008 sage green model like you're showing us. Mine charges battery as I ride. As a Tilesetter working with the Schluter Systems Ditra Heat, we test cables with a Megohmeter
You are just better than everyone. This is great
Awesome video 😶🌫️😶🌫️👌
:) 12 volts at idle you say huh. Mine has 2 volts at idle, and when I rev it up it goes below 1 volt. Good video keep the good up the work
I would love to c a video on towing your bicycle with a Buddy 125. I have seen in your intro a very quick shot of it. I love all your vids
Hey I like the way you explain it and I am understanding everything you talk about and thanks for the videos you made I have a 2012 kymco super 8
I just purchased a Tao Tao Quantum Titan 150cc scooter about two weeks ago and I have similar issues. Maybe I didn't charge the battery long enough. It states to charge for up to 8 hrs., I think i charged it about that amount of time which should be good but after sitting for a day or so, it's struggling to turn over. I'll use this video to help troubleshoot if the problem persist. Thanks for posting...
Thanks for your reply I appreciate it. Problem here on the West Coast California it’s hard to get parts for kymco -the dealers are all complaining and most are droppin the brand
Thanks for your great explanation. Do you also have a video on how to work if you have no power at all. I could really use that now.
Thank you bro for this video,it help me alot to find diagnosis
Glad to help my friend!
Really great job explaining everything thoroughly! Thank you
I replaced the rectifier on my scooter it’s a big one ( rectifier ) and it still won’t recharge but everything thing else works fine ... I also have a buddy 150cc it’s a fast little monkey and it’s stock and it goes 50-52 mph kinda scary since it’s so small it kinda wobbles past 47.mph .. I got a rear flat what the size is the nut to remove rear wheel... oh’ could I put rear tire size 4.00 x 10” instead of the stock 3.50 x 10 “ it rides so low that some times I tap the oil cool thats under the battery compartment when I go up some drive ways ??
Explained in simple terms,Gud job mahn!
Not seeing any Pinto videos!!! 😉 keep up the good work, sir!
They're coming I promise!!!
Amazing detailed video I ended up finding a corroded red wire on my rectifier that's why I wasn't getting in charge
Thank you for sharing all your knowledge about scooters
Glad to help! I'm just trying to pay it back to the UA-camrs who helped me!
This is great. Makes Perfect sence when you explain it.
I had a hard time changing my drive Belt I didnt know how to take off the bolts without it spinning.
I dont know if You have a Belt or clutch change and the variator. I had a hard time and had to buy a rubber wrench tool.
Maybe youll do a video on that?
That is an excellent idea! Thank you!
50th subscriber👍. Keep up the great videos. Looking forward to them.
Thanks so much! Stay tuned I have several more in the works!
Thankyou mate. Ur vids are awsome. Very clear. Probli the best on youtube. Most people just jump from 1 thing to another, but with u its every detail and ur not bouncing from starter to brake light to the flywheel 😂😂😂😂..
Learnt alot mate. Thankyou..
There is a lot of confusion and misinformation about clutch spring rates and variator roller weights if you have the time please touch on that in a video it would be greatly appreciated love your style thank you very much.
Wow that's an excellent idea!
So I'm getting spark and fuel I adjusted the valves at 14 on the intake and 15 on the exhaust only thing I don't have is the compression tester and I can't get this moped to start I'm ready to pull my hair out 911.. any encouraging thoughts or direction you could give me would be so freaking thankful I appreciate it and I like your shows keep it up I'm learning things though and I appreciate your time.
Hey Garret ! Thanks for the video ! Good knowledge I just put fresh battery in my scooter its a 1986 Honda elite 150d. As I push the start button the headlight goes out and the turning lights light up more trys tarting clicks some. Although when it does start it dies soon after.
My scooter does the same thing as well
Im so glad i stumbled across your channel. Good humor too! Have you ever watched the Red Green show? If you were located on Oahu, id have my scooter to your shop in a heartbeat. As it is, i will try it on my own. Thanks
Would you work on my DF50sst? Nobody else will
Sym stators are grounded on all three windings and have chassis resistors also
This guy has helped me understand how things work in blue collar language and you white collar dudes too
Great information ✌️ what info on scotter alarm systems draining battery,also could continue charging the scooter battery ☀️
this dude is kickass
An explicit video, thanks.
I watch a lot of UA-cam videos and this was, hands down, the BEST video I’ve seen to date. 😍. Thank you so much! It’s winter here in Michigan so I’d like to take the battery out for the winter. Can I just take my battery out and keep it inside and then put it back in next spring/summer? Also, can you recommend a multimeter I can buy that I will only be using for my scooter? THANK YOU!! 💕
Thanks Professor! Awesome video
Garret help! besides other problems I had with my Yamaha Zuma 50 (2004) now I've learned that the battery dies super fast even after being charged (dont own a charger myself, took it to my local autoparts store) so the electric start will not work. Example: I had it charged, connected it, horn worked fine. Tried electric start and made that "wah wah" sound you talked about and scooter wouldnt start (it only starts with the kickstart which thanks to you I've learned today that you shouldnt use it everyday) and then right after the horn wouldnt even work, just clicks, test it with my $10 multimeter and it reads less than 10v. How could it die in a matter of minutes or seconds even? I bought that battery on December 2019. Also checked the battery while running and it was about 7 or 9v (not 13 or 14 like you said if the stator is working fine). Hope you read this :( thank you and I love your videos bro you one of the best UA-camrs in my opinion.
Sounds like you might have both a bad battery AND a parasitic drain. Good thing you have that multimeter! You're going to need to use it!
@@Scooter_911 but the battery is practically new man how could this had happened T.T
Excellent video. You are the man.
Thank you for the video... I could find the defect with my scooty using the steps that you have though us.. Thank you once again
Ok, I am new to this but your videos are helping me to diagnose our scooter. There is power but it won't turn over. It will run for a day and then stop. Did a valve adjustment and it worked then the next morning it wouldn't start. It just will not turn over the engine. Cleaned the carb and air filter, new spark plug and it originally had a crappy way too high voltage additional light on the front which we removed. We figured it was draining the battery. But, put a brand new battery in this morning and it will crank but not turn over. Any suggestions?
Great video!
Hope you can help on this issue:
A few days ago, while riding my SYM VS 125, a lot of smoke started coming out of the front of the bike and the engine started to fail. I turned off the ignition and cut the battery current.
At home I took it apart to see what was going on and the rectifier was visibly burnt.
I took the bike to a workshop where they changed the rectifier and the battery, but they didn't solve the problem. The new rectifier continues to heat up a lot and too fast, as if something is short circuiting.
As they couldn't solve the problem and it still cost me a few €€, I picked up the motorcycle with the fault.
Tests i have done:
- the battery is new and has 13.1V before the starter
- with the three yellow wires from the stator connected to the rectifier, the bike works fine at low revs, fails at medium and the rectifier heats up uncontrollably; with these wires disconnected from the rectifier, the bike works well at any speed, but as we know, the battery is not charged
- at idle the 3 yellow wires measure about 40V from stator
- the resistant test on stator show equal values on three wires; no ground conductivity; no open circuit on each coil
- apparently all the masses are well connected.
Any idea what it could be causing this recurrent failure of the rectifier?
Note: traditional G6Y carburetor engine with electronic rectifier and CDI, year 2010.
Thks four your excellent video I have a Piaggio Zip 2T other day I drive and same one stop me and tell me my rear lights is blinking after 2 days all my lights is blown front and rear I’m surprise my fuse don’t blown also when I drive in full throttle same times is cut don’t the speed what you think is my regulator fault thank you help appreciate
Thanks for the lovely video I did my check on the parasite drain check and it's showing 0.021 on my meter is it ok as I have digital speedometer n tachometer with clock on my bike.
Thanks as this was helpful. If this battery was to be a 100amph 12V battery and the system in question drains the battery very quickly, what sort of rectifier would be used to recharge the battery as quickly as drained. 🤷🏾♂️ Some say rectifiers can't recharge 100 amp batteries and above. Any help?
Great video man
Thank you my friend! I hope it helps you out!
You explain so well, you could be a teacher.
thank you very much! I actually studies education at the university of Montana!
Dude you got it backwards he already is teaching he taught you good. So how many he is a teacher he's more than,,,
Very articulate instructor
It's so simple as you explain it
Thanks for the video! Unplugged the voltage regulator and the ampere dropped! Is replacing the regulator enough to fix the problem?
Yes. Definitely start with replacing the reg/rec and then retest. A shorted stator can cause a lot of issues down stream! Good luck my friend!
@@Scooter_911 🤩
I've also had a drain issue with my previous battery and considering this new one was dead after my most recent starting issues, I'll watch this & see if it can help resolve that. Where's the spark plugs at on a TaoTao Pony 50, what sockets & fittings am I going to need for this? I know it uses an M8, M10 & M12 for things like the oil / gear oil, etc....
The sparkplug is located on the right side of the cylinder head. Remove the front inspection cover (by where your heels are when you are riding) and you'll find it there.
Is this the correct Regulator Rectifier for a Pony 50?
partskit.com/product/104422
@@Scooter_911 how much of a process is that? Lol
and that is the correct stator, I'm assuming? partskit.com/product/107052
Excellent video one thousands times thank you
Glad to help!
Love your videos !
Thank you very much!
Fantastic video. Thanks so much.
Clear and to the point.
i like this guy real simple