I just bought a 2001 eton 50 lightning for my kids, the kick start was tight now wont go down at all, so I put a battery in it to use the starter, but all that happens is the starter relay clicks, so I changed it and the same thing happened. The starter doesnt turn over or anything. My buddy I got it from said the starter did work. Any sugestions as to what is going on would be greatly appreciated. My kids are so excited to get on it but just cant seem to figure it out.

 

You might be having the same problem I am. (See my post about the Viper 70 and Starter Clutch problem on this board)

If all of your electrical is in order and working, it could be a mechanical issue with the starter clutch. If the kick starter won't turn it over, I would assume you have something locked up.

A mechanic told me to try removing the spark plug, and trying to turn it over (either by start switch or kick start). That helped show me that the piston was not seized and it was somewhere between the starter and the piston.

Unfortunately, I think I've isolated my problem, but I'm at a loss as to what to do/try next. Hoping for some expert input here.

Best of luck!

 

I took the side cover off, and found the problem was there is some sort of clip for the kick starter it popped out of the groove, put it back in, stuck sum grease on it, seems to be fine now. But when I kick start it, it start's up now but wont stay running, acts like it's out of gas but it's getting gas. Pulled the plug it was fine. Not sure what the problem is now. It has spark and the safety key is in. The starter isn't working even tried to jump it with jump box directly to the starter nothing, the starter sylenoid clicks replaced it and tried using the elec start but it just click's.

 

If you have 12.0 volts between the starter motor input post and the starter motor case (measured with a meter) then your starter motor is probably bad.

There is a very unlikely possibility that something in the starter clutch area is bound up if the kick start engages the engine past the starter clutch.

I'd measure the 12 volts first, if you have it then pull out the starter motor and see if it spins by itself. When starting it off the battery do the wires going to the starter get hot?

 

The wires don't get hot going to the starter. The starter motor turns easy

 

I'm not sure what you mean by the starter turns easy. Does this mean the starter turns under power outside the engine? Or does it mean you can spin the starter output gear with your fingers.

The 'wires getting hot test' must be done with the starter installed, the solenoid clicked in, the engine not turning (stalled). And at the same time while all this is happening, you need to measure the voltage at the starter motor terminals with a meter. Use the 20 volt DC scale, with the red lead on the starter motor input post, and the black lead on the starter motor case. That's step number one, and you haven't provided an answer to that question yet .

 

I can spin the starter motor by my fingers with it still installed.