Modern Vespa

Hello fellow Vespa lovers. I have a 2006 50cc ET2. When i turn the key on, if i
jiggle the key the dashboard lights will illuminate and the the electric starter will work. I suspect a short somewhere in the ignition system. Any suggestions on where i should start to look?

It always kickstarts and runs like a champ but with no electrical the horn and blinkers don't work I can't get it inspected.

Thanks in advance for the help/suggestions.

Mike

With your ignition key/switch there are two major components. 1) The mechanical key/barrel part, 2) The electric ignition switch. I'd bet that the electric switch part needs to be replaced. If you remove the horn cover, you'll see the switch on the back of the key/barrel. There is a metal clip that you pull out to remove the switch. Unplug it from the harness, plug in a new switch. You replace the metal clip before installing the switch. The switch and key/barrel need to be indexed properly so they fit together. You reinstall the switch by pushing it into the opening at the back of the barrel. If everything is indexed correctly, it will slip all the way in and the metal clip will snap into place holding it securely. If you can't get it all the way in, don't force it. The key/barrel and the switch need to be in the same position so they can fit together. It's a pretty easy fix.

-Craig

That's awesome! Thanks for the quick response!

And if you have more than the Vespa key and maybe a house key on the key ring, get rid of all the other keys. A heavy key ring can kill an ignition switch.

How on earth can a heavy key-ring hurt the ignition switch? Huh?


What *can* happen is that a heavy key ring will eventually break through the hole that keeps the key on a key-ring.

It wiggles back and further and wears the switch on cars. Assume it does the same on any ignition switch.
You agreed with me last time I posted this a few years ago.

I may have done - but if so I was wrong!

The ignition switch is behind the key barrel and steering lock puck (for want of a better word). It isn't affected by anything other than the steering lock puck turning, which is turned itself by the key barrel. Now that key barrel and its surround could possibly get worn by very heavy key-ring contents, but I bet the rubber of the service key would give way well before any metal. The key's own metal is probably the weakest...

Anyway, back to the OP - the ignition switch can fail very readily just in normal use, it's a common fault, and cheap and easy to replace.

When I Google for ignition switch, I see two different parts, both saying they are for the ET2 and both with the same number (11) in the attached exploded diagram. Any guidance on which one is right for a 2004??

My wife's 2002 ET4 used the first #11 part shown. But I'm not sure what your ET2 would use. The upside... it's super easy to remove the horn cover and BOOM! The switch is right there for you to look at. If you are unsure after looking, take a photo of it and post it here.

-Craig

Thanks Craig! I'll take a look this weekend

Just so you have an idea what you are looking for...

This photo shows the electrical portion of the ignition switch on my wife's 2002 ET4. It's the round green/black switch with the wiring harness plugged into it in the photo. This is the first #11 switch in the PDF you had attached above.

-Craig

You rock Craig. Thank you!!!

643133 is the correct part number for your ET2