OP
UTC

Lurker
ET4 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4
Location: Costa Rica
 
Lurker
ET4 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4
Location: Costa Rica
UTC quote
Hello forum,
I have a 2002 Vespa ET4 150 Leader engine I bought in the USA and took down to Costa Rica. It may be the only one of its kind here and there are no Vespa dealers I know of in the country. I have mechanic freinds but I usually work on my own moto.
I left my moto sitting for a year and a half and now I cannot get it to start. The battery seems to have held a charge and I left the tank 95% empty. So upon return I recharged the battery, cleaned the carb and added fresh gas. The problem is the the engine and starter crank but it wont fire on. Initially, it pops a little to start but wont fully turn over and then makes a dry cranking sound. Gas appears to be going into the carb, and the immobilizer shines red for a second or two then goes off before I try to start it. I pop off the air intake and shoot some starter fluid in it when trying to start it but it still wont fire.
I dont know if the jungle harmed the electrical system or if the immobilizer is acting funny to inhibit the start. I have not noticed the fuel pump turn on but I will check that tomorrow. I also have not checked the spark plug condition.

What should I be looking for that may keep it from starting? Can I bypass the immobilizer system, as in removing it to see if that is not allowing the start?

There are no options for replacement parts or cetified mechanics here. I am on my own. Hopefully this community can help me, please.

Pura vida,
Chas
@got_mine avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2007 LX190 RIP 1980 Honda CM400T SOLD 2013 Shadow 750 RIP
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1496
Location: Crofton,MD
 
Molto Verboso
@got_mine avatar
2007 LX190 RIP 1980 Honda CM400T SOLD 2013 Shadow 750 RIP
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1496
Location: Crofton,MD
UTC quote
Sitting that long I would check the vacuum line going to the fuel tap.
Could be cracked.

Have you tried a little gas straight in the carb?
If fires most likely fuel line issue, no fire check spark plug lead and coil for cracks or loose.
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44533
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44533
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
If the red LED goes off after you turn on the ignition then the immobiliser is happy, and it should be able to start.

Check the spark plug condition.
@judy avatar
UTC

World Traveler
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 29303
 
World Traveler
@judy avatar
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 29303
UTC quote
GOT MINE is on the right track. Those lines are crap. It could take that short of a time to degrade. Has it ever been changed out before? Mine crumbled after a few years and i live in a hostile place but not as hostile as yours. I'd change out the spark plug anyway. Cheap and it couldn't hurt/ Good luck
@sc_frontier avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
Joined: UTC
Posts: 54
Location: Texoma area
 
Enthusiast
@sc_frontier avatar
Joined: UTC
Posts: 54
Location: Texoma area
UTC quote
The way I check for spark is to remove the plug, place it back in the cap, set the spark plug threads on some metal that is grounded, and turn over the engine while looking for spark.

Smell the plug, see if it is getting gas.

Make sure intake and exhaust are not a new home to critters.
OP
UTC

Lurker
ET4 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4
Location: Costa Rica
 
Lurker
ET4 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4
Location: Costa Rica
UTC quote
Changed the spark plug because it was very dirty. Checked the fuel filter, which looked cleaned. Cleaned out the fuel tank. All the lines look good but I still should put them under the microscope maybe there are some hairline fractures.

Other than that, the horn wont sound nor will the turn signal flash. All other lights work. Maybe some funky electrical problem is holding it back?

I am going to change the oil next.

It want to start and gets about two or three turns like it will run and then it shortly dies out. Seems like not enough fuel is getting to the engine...
@az_slynch avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
'07 GTS250, '07 LX150, '81 P200E, '78 P200E, '74 VBC1, '64 V90 and 3 Ciaos
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1405
Location: Tucson, AZ
 
Molto Verboso
@az_slynch avatar
'07 GTS250, '07 LX150, '81 P200E, '78 P200E, '74 VBC1, '64 V90 and 3 Ciaos
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1405
Location: Tucson, AZ
UTC quote
Try toggling the kill switch.

I think I had the same symptoms when resurrecting a buddy's GT200.
@judy avatar
UTC

World Traveler
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 29303
 
World Traveler
@judy avatar
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 29303
UTC quote
Check your fuses on the horn etc. Fuses are up front under the horn cast (think its the same as the lx ). Change the lines.mine looked fine but crumpled when we took it off. Might be a dodgy kill switch. Good call AZ. Good luck
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44533
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44533
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
Seriously, try another battery first. It sounds like yours was left fully discharged for a while, but has taken some charge - however I bet the volts aren't enough to get through to the regulator DC side, which would explain the horn and turn signals not working (though they may not work at all unless the engine is running).
OP
UTC

Lurker
ET4 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4
Location: Costa Rica
 
Lurker
ET4 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4
Location: Costa Rica
UTC quote
Changed the oil and while the I had the muffler off she started up for about 4 seconds then died. When I let it sit for a minute before trying to start her she will turn over and putter for a second before dying. When I try to start it up right after she will only make the dry cranking sound.

To me it seems it will start on the fuel in the carb that drains to it by gravity but she is not sending fuel once it´s started, like it is starved for fuel after she wants to start. It may be a weak battery too.

If by toggling the kill switch you mean switch it on and off that does not seem to be the problem.

The lines look fine.

Could it be the fuel sending unit is having an electrical problem maybe a dead fuse hence the non-working turn signals and horn. I cant remember if the machine needs to be running for the horn to work. Lights may be due to bad contacts - I have not made it to the front of the bike yet.

Also when I was examining the fuel filter I noticed the rubber seal inside seemed to stick a little when I blew into it. Is there some kind of seal inside the fuel filter? Perhaps, I need to soak it in some solvent to loosen it a bit.

She really wants to start and she is getting closer...tomorrow is another day. Thanks for all the input!
UTC

Hooked
Joined: UTC
Posts: 164
Location: Florida, USA
 
Hooked
Joined: UTC
Posts: 164
Location: Florida, USA
UTC quote
As Jimc suggested make sure your battery is fully charged or replace it.
The fuel tap is vacuum operated and has a rubber diaphragm in it, do not soak it in a solvent!
The lowest outlet on the tap is vacuum and the one above is the furled outlet. You can test it by sucking on the vacuum line and see if you get fuel flow.
I suspect that the float needle in the carb may have stuck but start with the basics, good battery, fuel flow to carb and spark.
OP
UTC

Lurker
ET4 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4
Location: Costa Rica
 
Lurker
ET4 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4
Location: Costa Rica
UTC quote
So my buddy came by today and he is a better mechanic than me. He agreed the fuel was not getting to the carb. So he cleaned the jets on the carb better, actually puctured the debris with a wire to clean it. And now she is running again.

Thanks for all your suggestions, hopefully, someone else will find this post useful.

Pura vida
@judy avatar
UTC

World Traveler
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 29303
 
World Traveler
@judy avatar
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 29303
UTC quote
Gla it's up and running.Have fun.
DoubleGood Design banner

Modern Vespa is the premier site for modern Vespa and Piaggio scooters. Vespa GTS300, GTS250, GTV, GT200, LX150, LXS, ET4, ET2, MP3, Fuoco, Elettrica and more.

Buy Me A Coffee
 

Shop on Amazon with Modern Vespa

Modern Vespa is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com


All Content Copyright 2005-2025 by Modern Vespa.
All Rights Reserved.


[ Time: 0.0145s ][ Queries: 3 (0.0061s) ][ live ][ 323 ][ ThingOne ]