Why am I having trouble getting my scooter to start consistently?

by Aubrey
(South Africa)

My scooter, a 150cc Chinese make - 4 stroke, starts fine with the electronic switch for about 3 - 4 times in a row, switching it off by hand every time, but on the 5th time (sometimes with less tries), it does not want to start (the motor does not even turn over. It feels like something is clamping down on the engine, hindering it from turning over.


I test the battery (good enough 12.8) but when I press the starter button the battery goes down to 11 odd. When I let the scooter stand for a while it starts straight away without even touching the throttle (for a couple of times) then like I said nothing. Only the solenoid goes click. (all nuts are tight on all connections also relevant wires)

I replaced the the following new parts already:
  • new starter coil (that goes to the sparkplug + destributor cap)
  • new sparkplug
  • new solenoid
  • new cdi
  • new starter motor

The tappets are set correctly (not clamping down). Please help with any possible places I can still look for problems.

Thanks

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