[arnav17]

Hey Guys,

So we have a 13 year old Access 125 at home which is used for all daily commutes by my parents. An issue which we have observed recently has become a huge problem, which is idling.

While driving on main roads, leave the throttle for just a second and the engine goes off. This can be dangerous, when you are in the center of a 4 road intersecting point and traffic is coming from all sides and the vehicle switches off.

The worst part is that sometimes after switching off, it doesn't switch back on in a hurry. It takes at least 2-3 minutes, pulling the choke, pushing the choke, kicking the vehicle and then it finally starts.

When the Issue surfaced, the most obvious thought came to us, which was to give it to service, as we thought that it had less engine oil. But it came back, everything topped up and serviced, but still having the same issue.

We are also wondering if it has anything to do with age, as our family friend's Access 125 (roughly the same age) is also showing the same symptoms, though less severe. An Active of a relative, same age takes 10 kicks before it splutters to life.

Please to give your valuable suggestions to fix this problem.

Thanks in advance.

[shancz]

Check the following in order :
1. Air filter : clean/change
2. Spark plug ; check/change
3. Carburettor : clean/change

Since you mentioned it came back from service 1 and 2 should've been checked but I won't be surprised if they didn't do it.

On a side note, 13 years is good enough for a scooter, its time for an upgrade if its not a financial concern. Some good options around.

[GTO]

Mod Note: Thread moved to the Motorcycle forum section.

[boniver]

Most scootys go through their lifetimes without having their carburetors cleaned. Mechanics don't do it even during the annual service. Get that done first (from a competent person, I should add).

[aargee]

Originally Posted by arnav17

We are also wondering if it has anything to do with age, as our family friend's Access 125 (roughly the same age) is also showing the same symptoms, though less severe. An Active of a relative, same age takes 10 kicks before it splutters to life

Our Activa is just 18 years young & hope it qualifies me to reply; and as (un)luck would have it, our beloved scooter has also faced the very same issue! Switches off when cold, even at operating temperature sometimes it switches off in the middle of road or when there's no sufficient RPM.

Although I don't know what exact problem is, our competent ASC, Didar motors, resolved the issue to more than our satisfaction. Post service, the engine idling is as good as good old CB Unicorn & doesn't switch off now even during cold temperature.

Our problem was, we had serviced sometimes in Jul 2022 after that we had serviced only in Jan 2023. The period of issue that we had undergone started somewhere like Oct or Nov 2022. We got lazy to get it serviced due to monsoon + clocked hardly 1200 on ODO.

My verdict is that, it takes a competent mechanic to service the scooter with patience to fix this issue. Some of the possible suggestions I can provide are:
Change fuel line completely, air filter, engine oil, engine oil filter, fuel filter (if old Access has one), clean plugs
Use Shell 10W30/Motul Scooter engine oil
Clean fuel tank & use fresh fuel
Clean carb & replace O-Rings, if possible
Overhaul the clutch assembly & tighten the belt

Once again, it's important that the mechanic is not just skilled but also honest; the final three points above can be an opportunity for a cunning mechanic to make excessive profits. He might provide a temporary solution to the issues, allowing you to have a smooth ride for the first few hundred kilometers before problems raises its hood again.

[libranof1987]

Our Activa had a similar issue, and this despite, regular periodic servicing through its life. The FNG solved it in a couple of days: while the mechanic didn't explain in detail, all he did was to change the fuel tank lid (the black cap). He mentioned the old one was causing some sort of an issue regards to the air pressure in the tank.

[MotoBlip]

I own a 12 year old TVS Wego and had the exact same issue happen to me sometime back. Took it to a mechanic, the carb was cleaned and tuned and the issue has never surfaced back to this date.

[anjan_c2007]

My Activa is from 2003 and has got its fitness till 2028 just a few days back. It has been with me from Day 1,viz. Valentine's Day 2003.



Now dealing with the Access issue as many others have said several more checks are needed as listed in earlier posts, if these have not been attempted. I find that these ageing Japanese machines do take abuse, but at the same time need to be very well cared, else they habitually relent with niggles. They are not like the Indo-Italian elder ladies viz Bajaj and Lambretta that would always run and run unfailingly despite care or even abuse.

- Another issue is the ethanol mix in petrol. Please make sure that the Access is used regularly and not parked unused for long phases, as ethanol shows its fangs sooner or later , creating a worrisome situation.

- Please also check the secondary /auxiliary air cleaner's filter, that is usually ignored by owners.

-The many rubber fuel pipes surrounding the carburettor need changing regularly else even a tiny wear and tear or leak, is a killjoy for the vacuum the carburettor needs, to work effectively.

- Please check all the electricals in the circuit thoroughly and help of a very competent mechanic is called for.

- You have not mentioned the kms run by the Access. If the total run has been excessive (spark plug inspection reveals it all) please get the piston top and engine head (inner portion) decarbonised. Also the engine valves need to be checked and decarbonised.

- If the spark plug gets oily after runs of 25-30 kms it's time for a thorough engine check. To corroborate the engine decay (if at all) white smoke, excess engine oil consumption, reduction in pulling power are all other issues that pop up once the engine overhaul gets due. Sometimes these are resolved by changing the two piston rings.

Satisfactory maintenence and regular care can give you a trouble free run for many, many more years.

[arnav17]

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

- You have not mentioned the kms run by the Access. If the total run has been excessive (spark plug inspection reveals it all) please get the piston top and engine head (inner portion) decarbonised. Also the engine valves need to be checked and decarbonised.

It has done roughly 39000km. Prior to this, we have had a trouble free experience with zero problems all through the ownership.

[ArijitGupte]

I have a 12 year old TVS Wego with 25k running.
Had a similar issue recently, where in the engine would switch off as soon as the accelerator was released.

Carb was thoroughly cleaned and the spark plug replaced.
Also added engine additive Bardahl and now so far touch wood this issue seems to be resolved.
Mainly it's the gum of ethanol that accumulated in the carb and the spark plug.

[rajathv8]

Had a similar issue in my 2014 Wego. The scooter turned off while riding, refused to self-start after that and all electricals appeared dead. Kick start took many attempts but finally worked. Turned out to be a short circuit in the starter motor identified and fixed by FNG.

I had lost confidence in the TVS ASC since the time the spark plug broke off into two and ended up in the cylinder. Turns out that they never ever bothered pulling out the plug and checking its condition. The spark plug ended up fusing with the threads on the head.

[kiredd1005]

Something is restricting fuel flow whilst on the move. Have a competent workshop/FNG diagnose and fix the problem.

Where are you staying?

I have come across BikeOne and DriveX with decent reviews. You can contact them and fix an appointment.

[sidzz]

I have a Honda Dio, 11 years old now. I have not serviced it in the last 4 years as the usage is low. I have diligently changed the engine oil every year. The OEM battery lasted 9 years. Even now the scooter starts in 2-3 cranks at cold start with choke. It starts at 1 crank when engine is hot.

[venkat_partha]

Last week, after my bike (2015 TVS Jupiter) was not used for about 4 days, I found that it was stuttering when the accelerator was opened up. Starting also was a hit/miss. Would start up in one kick/one auto-ignition or will take multiple times.

Went (for the first time) to a non-ASC NG. Found that the ASC had broken the spark plug part way. As the FNG fellow tried to tease the partially broken spark-plug, it split into two, with a part still stuck in the bore. It took the fellow about 45 minutes to tease it out.

ASC wanted to change the complete left handle assembly for a faulty switch. TVS ASC, specifically the one i am taking about, will take you for a ride, if you are not alert.

In the above case, please check your spark plug's condition, the carburettor, the air-filter. If possible, replace the spark plug + air-filter. Also, it could be a fuel contamination issue, probably from a petrol bunk that you do not know about, get the FNG to verify the fuel line too.

[Neo18]

I have experienced similar issue with my 2013 Activa. Whenever the throttle was turned down during a U turn or in a red light traffic junction, the engine would abruptly shut down. An FNG close to my place came to my rescue. A Carburetor clean followed by replacement of spark plug did the trick.