Modern Vespa

So I need some help from all of you who know so much more about scooter workings than me

I have a 2012 Vespa 300 Super. As I live in the Chicago area and up until recently we have been having terrible weather it has been sitting, although on a trickle charger. About three weeks ago I got it ready to ride. Checked the oil and tires and even started it for a minute(it did not start up right away though). The weather took a bit longer to turn to nice so for the last three weeks it has not been on the charger. 2 days ago the weather got nice and I went out to start it and nothing. The headlight comes on, the horn does not work, the gas gague does not change when I turn the key and when I try to start.....nothing. So my first thought is the battery as the Vespa is 6 years old and on the original battery. But I also suppose it could be things as the starter, etc. So I have ordered a new battery as even if it it something else I should likely get a new battery, but was wondering what others thought was the cause of no start. Obviously if not the battery it is a much bigger issue. thanks for any help


larry

It is time for a battery even if the problem is something else. Hope the battery does the trick.. Good luck.

thanks I also hope that is the issue, the simplest solution

I'm 90% sure it's the battery.

I usually have to get one battery every spring, for one vehicle or another, at a nearby Batteries Plus store. Good luck!

wow you go through lots of batteries, hope you are correct, any ideas on where to recycle the old battery when i get the new one?

Not so many batteries-- too many vehicles. And I may have exaggerated a bit, or counted some relatives' cars that I take care of.

The point was that when I find I have a dead battery there isn't time to shop around a lot. The Batteries Plus store usually has what I need in stock at reasonable prices. They take the old ones.

thanks for that info will check them out in the future

same place you buy the new one from.

Get a MotoBatt. Have heard only great things about them. Motovista carries them (scooterpartsco.com). That will be what i get when my battery goes. Most dumps will take the old batteries.

What do you mean by "most dumps"? It's illegal to throw batteries in the garbage.

I didn't say throw it in the garbage. You can bring it to a dump and they'll TAKE it. Oil also.

Any scrap yard will buy your old battery. A few bucks anyway.

I have to ask the obvious question. Did you check the kill switch and try both brake levers? The fact that the horn does not work and it's age would suggest that it is the battery, though.

thanks but I tried the kill switch and battery levers(which I have done wrong in the past and freaked out that it would not start) I have ordered the new battery to arrive tomorrow and I do want to dispose of the old battery safely I will call around to find a safe place to dispose, will let you all know how it goes.


larry

Also check for "recycled batteries" in the area. Very low payment but they will purchase. I also have had my share of not starting problems, usually cured one of two ways: turn key off and back on quickly and fully (immobilizer antenna if it has one) and disconnecting an reconnecting the CDI connections. If it's not the battery will not hurt to try. Dielectric grease on connections is wonderful when setting up. Good luck.

so I got the new battery, put it in charged over night...and still nothing.
The light come on, the gas gauge does not move(it had gas in it at the end of the year close to a full tank), turn the key press the start and nothing, no noise. when I turn the key i do get a little noise but nothing when i press the starter with the brake lever held in and the kill switched off.

Would appreciate any thoughts.

thanks

larry

Do the brake lights work. It could be that one switch wasn't working for a while then the other one went bad. I've heard of it happening before.

so I assume if the brake lights not working the switch is not working and not allowing the bike to start or to signal you are stopping and then the switches on both brakes need tone replaced

make sure you check the fuses as they known for not starting the scooter

if your fuses are fine maybe kill switch could of have gone faulty

Go back to Larry's MK's comment, did you say that brake lights were not working. What lights work and which ones don't with key on? Have you tried holding both brake levers on and trying the starter? Have you tried your kick starter, I think it has one.did you check CDI connections? You said it set up for almost a year could easily be a connection. This will really sound elementary, but did you chec the two front fuses?

brake lights not working
horn not working
gas gauge not working

all else seems to be working

ok opened fuse box found a fried fuse, guess that was pretty stupid I did not check that first hopefully this will be the fix

again

thanks for all the help


larry

piaggio seems to like to burn fuses i was on way to work and it spluttered and fuse was burnt out when it cut out

so it seems piaggio like to burn fuses for no reason

ive only had 2 fuses in under 3yrs so for that died

Really glad it worked. Have a great day.

so replace fuse and she started up!!!!
The only question I have is how did a cook a fuse?

At least it started

Stray moisture or condensation at a connector, leading to a temporary short circuit? Dunno.
*shrug*

I guess I won't worry I bought a few extra fuses as they were quite cheap

again thanks to all for the help I did not want to have to bring the scooter to the shop as that would have cost a ton.

Glad you got it sorted, Larry. It's sometimes the simple things..... Considering the difficulty of sorting out electrical problems, I'd only worry if it blows again.

BTW, haven't done so with batteries, but I have a pretty good relationship with my local car mechanic, so my used brake fluid, oil, and soon-to be waste coolant goes there. It's got to be a drop in the bucket for all that they produce themselves. Can't hurt to ask....

thanks found a place close by that takes and recycles the old batteries so I dropped it off yesterday. So happy I have a running scooter.

You take it to the dump and you get nothing for it, you thorw it on the battery pile.
You take to a store that sells batteries or a salvage yard they'll give you $5 for the old battery.

Not here.

i got nothing but would rather have it recycled than end up in dump

Dump will recycle the battery too, they just put the money in their pocket and give you nothing or in some cases charge you to drop off a battery they will get money from.

Like i said the dump recycles them they don't throw them in with the other garbage but as WEB said you might be able to get some money. Not a option here tho.