Starter issues Helix 150

[SilverDuck]

I went to start the Helix, and it just clicks. Battery is charged. There is something amiss in the starter area.

I just replaced the shift disk that enables you to go into reverse. When I bought the buggy, the plastic disk was destroyed, and the kart was in forward gear, and it ran just fine.

Could there be something up with the shifter that is causing the starter to not function?

I can shift into F N R and everything looks like it is shifting smoothly. What could be up?

[SilverDuck]

Inside the little plastic box on the engine (the box with the red kill switch) there are a few electrical components. The yellow-ish one, which I assume is the starter relay, just buzzes when you try to start the buggy. Does this indicate a bad relay?

[olderthan]

try jumping across it

[SilverDuck]

The two top posts, one is a heavy red, the other a heavy black wire....I've jumped those, and get nothing but a spark.

Will that relay just click/buzz if the starter motor is bad?

How can I test the starter?

[BuggyMaster]

Sounds like your starter has gone. The solenoid is one of the components under there. If it goes bad, you can jump it manually. It will spark but if the starter is good, it will turn over. If you jump it across and it won't turn over and you just get a buzz (like the starter is drawing heavily, bad starter. If you have a test light, that will tell you for sure. Look for juice on the electrical pole when you hit the starter button. If it gets there but doesn't turn over, bad starter.

[SilverDuck]

The solenoid makes more of a rapid clicking sound than a buzz, and when you hold it in your hand, it vibrates like crazy.

Since I jumped the solenoid and the starter didn't budge, I guess it has to be the starter.

Where can I get a starter FAST?

I ordered that shifter disk (G-K-R-us) and it took 3 1/2 weeks to arrive.

[BuggyMaster]

If it is buzzing, that is a sign that your battery is too low to push it. Try to jump start it off of something with a good 12 volt battery and see what it does.

The shifter disk must have been back ordered at the time. Typically you'd have that in a couple of days. Any shop that deals with 150cc scooters or go karts will have that starter. Just tell them you want a GY6 starter. From your description, still sounds like low battery. The china batteries are known to be crap.

[SilverDuck]

I had it on my battery charger for 2 hours, and no joy.

Let me try to jump it off my pick up truck.

[BuggyMaster]

ya when they go bad, charging them will do nothing but jumping it off will tell the tale.

[EJ Mac]

If you jump it off your vehicle make sure the vehicle is NOT RUNNING it will fry your charging system.

[SilverDuck]

Jumped it off the Dakota, it fired right up.

I need a battery.

[olderthan]

buy at walmart

[SilverDuck]

Wal Mart has that size battery? I noticed it has to be a certain size to fit in the battery box. (Unless I sawz-all it into a battery tray)

[olderthan]

read the battery box
or use their battery exchange book
mine was a bast''d size i got a 9 amp
that was close in size

[olderthan]

mine was already a tray
stock

[SilverDuck]

Mine is a 4-sided "cup"....and getting the stock battery out was a pain in the A. I had to wedge it out with two flat-head screwdrivers. It was a tight fit.

[olderthan]

open it up a little on sides and edge
use vicegrips two pair is better
lots of people use 12amp walmart
mine came with 6 amp so i went up to 9amp
pghruby runs i think 12amp after i replaced mine
i pulled the plastic center pieces from each cell
poured out old acid and refilled charged and now i have
a spare holds charge well i just keep it for a spare
i can't seem to throw away left over parts i or others
might use

[taitethomas]

I have same issue. I use a pair of needlenose to jump it and it starts. i think it's the starter relay according to parts diagram. only 12 bucks to replace through the manufact. Anyone know where i can find info/parts for performance aftermarket parts for my helix 150? Perhaps the admin can lol thanks!

[BuggyMaster]

If you jumped the solenoid and it started, there's a good chance that is your problem. Click the banner at the top of this page to go to www.sycpowersports.com for performance parts.

[ckau]

Jumped it off the Dakota, it fired right up.

I need a battery.
check all your ground connections. many a starter has been bought only to find a bad ground. To insure a good ground to the starter trace the ground wire off the battery to the usual grounding point, [ somewhere in the wiring box] run a jumper wire from there to one of the mounting bolts on the starter. this insures the starter always has a solid ground.