G'day all,

My scooter has yet another problem even after a new high quality battery replacement 5 months ago and I really need some help to fix it this weekend as I just landed a new job and need it for transport as car is in use.

Yesterday, all of a sudden even though I used it the same day last week and it worked perfectly fine...  when I tried to start it I just get a fast clicking sound when I press the start button. 

I have pulled the battery out and going to disconnect terminals and make sure they are clean and reconnect them for a start.

To be honest, considering other issues I have had with this motorbike, including replacing the flywheel that had filings at bottom of oil sump, which cost me 6weeks to replace the part and getting lifts from a person at that job,  I am not hopeful above will fix the issue.

I looked up issueon youtube and it seems to be a solenoid problem from what I can gauge but where the heck is it?  Do I have to remove the fairing and everything?  Can a 12v solenoid of another manufacturer do in the meantime? 

I need this bike working. To be honest I feel it is a bit of a lemon and frustrated at reliability of vehicle considering costs,  always stored in a garage,  looked after, serviced,  ....  however,  I like it so much when it works I would rather learn how to fix it instead of "Move it on" as the last mechanic told me.

I really like the design of my scooter,  cfmoto 250 Jetmax,  it looks beautiful and handles well but there are issues...  heh. I don't want to sell it,  but the boss (wife) wants me too due to issues.

So, please,  I have until Sunday night to  get this machine working for travel for my new job and would really appreciate any help getting this done.

I am no mechanic so if you could refer me to any videos I can follow with your instructions it would be greatly appreciated.

So far,  I have an idea about what is required to replace solenoid but can't locate it from battery compartment.

Thank you in advance for any help.

Always start with the easiest test and progress from there.

First, test to make sure the battery is fully charged. (The solenoid will click on insufficient voltage/amperage.) To do this, hook up a voltage meter and read the voltage. Then try to start the bike while looking at the voltage. If it drops below 10 volts, then the battery is likely drained. Put the battery on a charger for 30 minutes and then retry. If the voltage drops again, take the battery in to get it tested. (Even new batteries can go bad.)

If the voltage holds, but the bike clicks, try jumping/bypassing the solenoid. If the engine spins over when doing this, replace the solenoid.

To find the solenoid, follow the red lead from the battery to the first device it connects to.

If the battery tests good, but drains over time, then some electrical diagnosis will be necessary to find out where the live/short circuit is.

I could not find specific videos for the jetmax, but they are all very similar. Here are some related videos that might help:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o7HUitlpfE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq4ENgI3cIk

Good luck.

Thank you Doug.

I bought a multimeter and battery charger today and got battery tested at 10.7 V but accepting charge.

Hopefully it is just the battery as the bike is only 3 years old and new battery.

I read on internet earlier a Honda 12V solenoid is ok as a replacement starter solenoid.  Which I should be able to find following red cable as you stated. 

Thank you for quick response and posting vids in your post.  Very appreciated and in a way a God send.

Tomorrow morning I will test Jetmax and see if it turns over.  + 12 hours from this post.

Thanks again matey,  your response is very appreciated.

I will post tomorrow after battery charging overnight.

Ta

Thank you Doug.

I bought a multimeter and battery charger today and got battery tested at 10.7 V but accepting charge.

Hopefully it is just the battery as the bike is only 3 years old and new battery.

I read on internet earlier a Honda 12V solenoid is ok as a replacement starter solenoid.  Which I should be able to find following red cable as you stated. 

Thank you for quick response and posting vids in your post.  Very appreciated and in a way a God send.

Tomorrow morning I will test Jetmax and see if it turns over.  + 12 hours from this post.

Thanks again matey,  your response is very appreciated.

I will post tomorrow after battery charging overnight.

Ta

How did it go, man? Any improvement so far?