Electrical Problems - 50cc Chinese Scooter

[cgately]

I hope someone can help me diagnose my scoot's problem.

It is a 2009 Meiduo 50cc scooter - standard chinese qmb139 / gy6 engine.

The first issue was that the headlights/taillights/dashboard backlights stopped working abruptly one day. Turn signals still work fine. I checked the connections and the wires and couldn't find any obvious issues.
From what I have gathered on the 'net, the dead lights run off AC, which suggests that my stator is to blame?

Then today, (5 days after the initial problem), the electric start failed to start the scoot. It would spin a few times (high-pitched whining noise) but no full engine turnover. Kick start worked fine.

So that made me wonder if I should still suspect only the stator, or could the other parts of the alternator or electric system be going?

I closed the circuit with the starter relay (using an insulated screwdriver to bridge the gap) and the starter spun partially but didn't turn over the engine and start.

I'm not an electric whiz, but I'm going to have to learn enough to solve this problem because the alternative (local shop) is outside my budget at this point.

Can anyone offer assistance in testing and confirming the theory that it is the stator?

I've got a multimeter, but I'm not sure what exactly to check with it to confirm the problem. If anyone has any suggestions I would be very, very grateful.

Thanks ScootDawgs,

Conor

[D-cat]

Problem is related. If the power isn't getting from the stator to the regulator, the battery isn't charging. Expect the next step is your flashers stop flashing.

The stator almost never goes out. It's usually a connector (check under your seat). The primary concern is the yellow and white wires. Even if the connectors are attached, it doesn't mean the wires are secure inside the connectors. You have to check them out, work all of them. Also check under the nose panel for the connectors going into the regulator.

If you can't find anything wrong there, take all the panels off and go over the whole harness. Look for breaks or broken ground wires.

[cgately]

Thanks D-Cat,

I apologize to you and any others viewing this post for not posting a timely follow up. I also thank you for steering me away from the stator, which as you were correct to mention is a rare-to-fail part of the system.

The answer in the end was a faulty voltage regulator/rectifier - discovered when I simply disconnected the plug of wires that ran into it and the headlights jumped on. Of course only after I had stripped down the scoot and checked every inch of wire for worn insulation and ground shorts did I discover this. But now I'm intimately familiar with the electrical layout of my scoot, so not for nothing to be sure
Bought a new R/R and everything has been rosy.

Thanks again mate!

- Conor

[Eat Sleep Scooters]

Alright im happy that you found it. Most people arent so lucky and dont find the electrical gremlin.