Modern Vespa

Hello everyone,
I'm desperately hoping that one (or more) of the extremely knowledgeable and helpful folk on this forum might be able to give me some assistance on a problem I have.

I have just got back from working abroad only to find that the mechanism, on my trust ole Fuoco, to release the seat and the fuel hatch has stopped working. I have tried all possible combinations of the process, pushing the key down in the barrel and turning, but it seems like something has seized up. I managed to 'jimmy' the fuel hatch open (thank the lord I could do that, as I left the tank as good as empty prior to going away) and attempted to release process again to see if there was any movement in the latch... not a sausage, sadly.

I have ploughed through any old posts on this forum (even posted on a old thread... sorry about that) and read through the whole maintenance book, but I can't find anything regarding fixing this issue. There was a few mentions of removing ALL the paneling (from the rear forward) so I set about this, in the hope that I could find, asses and fix the problem but I'm afraid I fell at the first hurdle, as I can't seem to remove a large chunk of the panelling without having the seat lifted!

I'm really really in a pickle here, as I need the poor little bike for work and I have had battery issues in the past so I don't want to use it on any long commutes without the knowledge that I can access the battery (plus, bunging my helmet and jacket under the seat is a joy)
I would be for ever indebted if you guys could help a fellow out, and any pointers, however, small would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers folks, you're the best.

Hi Can you start the fuoco ?.I assume that if you could open the seat by pressing the button on the key prior to you going away but you can't now then maybe your fuoco key battery is flat.If you put the key into the ignition switch and push the key down like you have already done why not spray some lubrication around the ignition switch but not down the key slot.

Many of us have just filed down the catch on the door a little. I have a small lift handle on my door since I broke off the knob by hitting numerous times.

Just a FYI...
Piaggio fixed this issue on the 2016 ABS 500.
Turn the Key, it Pops right open.
It looks to have a different lip on the Black ABS.

I did a "Dremil Job on my MP3/250", and it works great now.

Keith,
Marietta, GA