Cold Start Problem

[seasalt007]

2009 C 3 with 1300 miles. About 300 miles ago it became hard to start after sitting for a couple of days. Hot start or same day start is OK.

Cold Start procedure: turn on ignition (idiot lights come on), toggle on/off switch to on (hear fuel pump pressure up and stop), squeeze brake and push start. Cranks fine but won't start except after much cranking. Then I learned that if I turn the ignition switch off and back on, it will start immediately.

What gives?

[backinblack]

I'm not familiar with the c3's...is there some sort of priming action that happens in the fuel system when the key gets turned on? Maybe the choke isn't coming on?

[zeonsredcomet]

Its fuel injected Backinblack! There is a fuel injector issue that is a defect with these scooters, Is it a 2007?? http://www.provoscooter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14623&highlight=c3+recall check that thread and you will see. Let us know.

[seasalt007]

It is a 2009. The fuel pump pressures up just fine. I would think that it is electrical. Before I learned the ignition on and off trick, I could jiggle the spark plug wire and it would start.

[Gabe502000]

This sounds like some of the same problems the '07 & '08 model Owners are having with their fuel pumps.You're the first '09 Owner that I've seen with pump issues. But, there's a history of it. If you'll PM me, I'll send you an info sheet on how to get them to do something about it. Gabe ::usa::

[ovni64]

If you partially block the air inlet on the airbox (stuff a kleenex in there) you effectively enrich the mixture and it will start more easily. Remove the kleenex and off you go.

This is not a cure - you should have a look at your plug to see where your mixture is at.
Maybe you're running a bit poor.

[Gabe502000]

2009 C 3 with 1300 miles. About 300 miles ago it became hard to start after sitting for a couple of days. Hot start or same day start is OK.

Cold Start procedure: turn on ignition (idiot lights come on), toggle on/off switch to on (hear fuel pump pressure up and stop), squeeze brake and push start. Cranks fine but won't start except after much cranking. Then I learned that if I turn the ignition switch off and back on, it will start immediately.

What gives?

THe C3's ECU is really sensitive to battery voltage.I recently took my scooter apart for maintenance for 3 or 4 days, and had the same thing happen.The ECU loses it's memory.I had to put my battery charger on it, and crank it while I moved my throttle slowly to finally get it cranked.Harbor Freight sells a really inexpensive float or trickle charger (That automatically shuts off.) for $5. I'm going to get one to put on my scooter when It's not being ridden.Turning the switch on and off three times in less than a second, is what the Service Manual says to do to "Reboot" a C3's ECU.However, if the voltage is too low,that won't work. The throttle positon sensor will finally get it stared. Gabe ::usa::