Modern Vespa

Hi too all , I'm looking for some help . All I'm getting is a clicking while trying to start my Vespa. Which is the starter relay , I've installed a new starter motor.sounds like the relay is opening and closing (switching) but still no joy I'm going to purchase a new one and put it in , what's weird is there is no voltage at the starter motor terminals when I press the electronic ignition button . Hope someone can shed some light for me .

Have you tested your battery?

Yes mate 13.8 volts present

Sounds like dirty contacts in the old starter relay - easily checked with a meter, or simply by replacing it!

Thanks for reply but I have cleaned the spade ends on the starter relay.
Would a faulty regulator stop it from starting . Regards

maybe your stater motor is dead

also you sure the battery isn't dropping soon as you press the start button

Put a new one in yesterday 😫

regulator isn't that only provide charge to and from stator but always worth replacing if it still not starting

well I guess you after wait for a new relay and see if it starts if not then you know you got a big issue

Don't really know mate

have you replaced starter motor or battery

if battery theres a chance your starter is dead

The weird thing is before I put the starter motor in I tried it and the cog span but when it was installed it did the same just clicking noise 😡

you tried cleaning the connections on the wire of the starter

you got volt meter and see if the battery drops below 11v when you press starter

Fully charged battery and new starter motor it can only be the relay , can't bump autos 🙄

No voltage at the clean terminals of the starter motor either that's why I think the relay is done for

if it is dodgy relay you should send it back to get money back

The starter relay is old it's the starter motor I have replaced

i would of replaced relay first save you money

I had a similar issue but it kept spinning until I replaced relay

have you ordered a new one if you want one quick then I know a uk site you could use

usually if you use a local dealership they get them fast

The old starter motor wouldn't spin when I got it out that's why I thought it was knackered , I will purchase a new relay there only 20 quid and give that a try . Thanks for your help 👍🏻

Jim means the contacts inside the relay are dirty or worn out. Replace the relay, they're cheap. I don't know for sure about this, but I think there are some standard automobile relays (horn, lights?) that will work for your starter relay.

Oh I thought the relay was the top unplugable bit not the bottom female piece if you know what I mean 🤔 thanks for your reply

i guess I just don't understand why I'm not getting any voltage at the starter motor terminals when I press my start button. 🤔 surely I should be getting
12 volts or at least see at dip of voltage under load conditions

Across the battery terminals I mean

relay should easily come out and im shocked what relays cost mine was £15

I was referring to the contacts inside. Every time the relay opens, there are arcs across the contacts because of the inductive load of the starter motor - there's no built-in suppression. Over time, the contacts *inside* get dirty. If you're really unlucky they fuse together with the arcing, and then your starter motor runs until the battery is dead - and if not removed will kill that battery completely within hours.

I've had numerous 'dirty contact' starter relays, and dealt with quite a few ones that have arced short.

Thanks I can't seem to find the housing on line that the relay plugs into 😖
The female part .

my piaggio is simple you just unplug and I sprayed connection but still had restart issue until I replaced it but I had to replace mine at think 35000km around that

ive had to replace my indicator switch at 50 thousand k due to it didn't like right turn lol

That's probably fine - I'm referring to the relay contacts INSIDE THE RELAY ITSELF! Yes, now I'm shouting it.

OK A BIG THANKS 😉

😫definitely think I've got bigger problems now . Fitted a new starter motor and starter relay , I have 12 volts present at starter motor terminals I can now here it try to crank over the engine,but it's having now luck . I even tried it hooked up to my van to give it a helping hand , does this mean the engine has sezired 😫😫 Bigger problems ?

Is this with the battery in known good condition, fully charged?

Yes mate I charged the battery last night , but I've just checked I'm actually getting 8volts at the starter motor terminals not 12v like I previously said .😫🤔 as a last resort do you think I ought to go and buy a brand new battery . Even though the one that is fitted is only 4 months old , before I try and take the engine apart . Your thoughts are appreciated

You could take the battery to a battery store and have it tested under load. And until you're certain that you're working with a good battery it's pointless to start tearing the whole engine apart.

What kind of noises were you hearing when you were trying to start the scooter? Chugging, growling low speed sound could be the battery too weak to spin the engine fast enough to start. Whirring, like the starter spinning freely but the engine not turning over could be a broken "bendix", or starter clutch.

Good luck!

Hi can't really explain the noise ( a very short thud) relay clicks and at the same time the starter motor sounds like it trying to spin but it's jammed ! If you know what I mean yet runs freely when out of the engine , it's like the cogs it sits in is jammed 😫 and I'm also getting a very hot starter relay after numerous presses of the starter button .
Thanks .

"Short thud" sounds like more than a battery issue. I'm getting into unfamiliar territory (for me), but I would remove the spark plug (so I'm not fighting compression). Then remove the belt cover and see if the belt is broken and jammed in the pulleys, and see if the crankshaft turns (by turning the variator by hand).

Ok thanks , I will make sure the battery is definitely not at fault then will give that a go .cheers

If the engine/starter is jammed then the stall current of the starter motor will be HUGE - 80, 90A or more. In which case no wonder the starter relay contacts will get hot, and no wonder the old relay gave out.

If the battery checks out OK then it's time to remove the transmission cover and inspect the transmission. Assuming the belt looks OK and the bendix isn't jammed, check you can turn the crankshaft using a socket on the variator nut.

Cheers for your reply,lim no mechanic but I will certainly be using your advice and proceed with this at the weekend.regards.

Morning all , I've took a picture hoping for some more help , the right hand side spins freely but the left with the bendix/startermotor goes into is solid it won't move 🤔

If the battery checks out OK then it's time to remove the transmission cover and inspect the transmission. Assuming the belt looks OK and the bendix isn't jammed, check you can turn the crankshaft using a socket on the variator nut.




Sorry I didn't try that 🙄
I have now and it is very tuff to move even with a socket set 🤔