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'04 Alabaster ET4
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I took her out yesterday for the first time this season. She had a little bit of a choking problem from the start but the whole day she was running fine. New battery, tuned up last spring and added new oil this season. This morning she won't start. Lights will turn on and sometimes she will choke, most times when I push the button I get nothing. Even tried the kickstart, a little choking then after that, completely silent. I'm really frustrated. Thoughts???
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The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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When you say you get nothing - do you mean the starter motor doesn't even run? If so, can you hear the starter relay click?

I'd start by double-checking the connections to the battery, if slightly loose they may power the lights just fine, but baulk at providing the huge inrush current to the starter motor.
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jimc wrote:
When you say you get nothing - do you mean the starter motor doesn't even run? If so, can you hear the starter relay click?

I'd start by double-checking the connections to the battery, if slightly loose they may power the lights just fine, but baulk at providing the huge inrush current to the starter motor.
At first it it was choking this morning. Then after a few push button and kickstart attempts, the choking just stopped. I can hear the click sometimes. I just added Seafoam. Since it's been sitting during the winter months (hooked to a battery tender) it could be the gunk that got in the way from yesterday's long ride. I don't think it's the battery. But I will double check that too. *crossing fingers*
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So it's not a new battery, but a year old? Get it load-tested.
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jimc wrote:
So it's not a new battery, but a year old? Get it load-tested.
I suppose I can do that. But a year old and it already needs replacement? This is the brand I have in there:
http://www.amazon.com/Yuasa-YUAM3RH2S-YTX12-BS-Battery/dp/B000WK4CS4/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
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The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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That should be fine if it was on a battery tender all winter.

It might be gum in the carb, but if you got it running once, and it ran fine, any gumminess should have been dissolved away by now.

I'd bung it back on the battery tender, and check it comes up fully charged in a reasonable time (assuming you haven't drained it trying to start).
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You say it won't start. By this I guess you mean that you can't get the engine running? When you push the start button, what is happening? Is the starter motor turning the engine over? Is it just clicking? Let us know.
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If the starter motor is doing something but not turning the engine over, it may be a bad starter. You can run a wire from the positive terminal to the starter motor and see if it turns the engine, then work backwards.
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Motovista wrote:
If the starter motor is doing something but not turning the engine over, it may be a bad starter. You can run a wire from the positive terminal to the starter motor and see if it turns the engine, then work backwards.
Finally got her into the shop and the Vespa tech said it's the starter. *sigh* Will need to get it replaced.
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