Modern Vespa

2007 LX 150 with about 5000 miles on it. Regularly driven but only for less than a mile or so 5-6 times a week.

I put the key in and turn all the way right and try to turn it on and nothing happens. Doesnt try and turn over or really do anything. The little red light on the left hand side will occasionally light up. I can do this 10 or more times with nothing happening and then all of a sudden it will start like normal. But the ten plus times is disconcerting and I am trying to figure out what it is. One thought I had is that its something related to the key. The first few times it happened I thought I hadn't pushed the key all the way right and after holding it over on the right while starting it worked. But now I am thinking it might be the sensor not recognizing the key or something. In the past I have had problems with the main battery and have put it on a tender and that usually fixes any starting issue but this one seems to be different.

Any ideas?

Check battery with a multimeter (thinking you want closer to 13amps than 12-which is almost flat/dead at that that point), clean connections and add a little dielectric grease, charge battery if needed...beyond that I'm stumped. Hope you get it lined out quick,

Dave

Do check the battery. But also consider your ignition switch. I was working on a friend's 250 and the key needed to be turned a little left or a little right so that you could get ignition. I replaced the switch and now all is well.

Double check the brake light comes on when you pull a brake lever. The brake light switches are a very common cause of 'no-start' (no turning over).

Also check that battery - if it's over three years old then it is certainly suspect. With your usage I'd recommend using a battery tender once a week.

That should be volts, not amps. If you're using a multimeter be sure it's set on DC Volts, 20 VDC range if it's not auto-ranging.