Modern Vespa

So I wake up one morning and go outside and find my fuel injected 2012 LXV on the ground, some cosmetic damage, slightly cracked headlight assembly etc I take it and put it upright, check to see if the light works and start the bike, it starts fine and i just turn it off. After some adjustments i come back and try to start the bike again and the starter engages but sounds weak, the bike doesn't start and within 2 seconds trying again the starter stoped engaging at all. Lights and instrument panel go on just fine.

Now all that happens is the starter relay just clicks, no life from the starter itself. Granted i know bikes that are tipped get flooded and will have trouble starting, but this seems different as my starter isn't responding.

Here is what I have tried checking so far:

- Battery is 3 months old, took it out and charged it on the tender, put it back in, still nothing.

- pulled out starter relay and checked it, (it was last changed 2 years ago no visible corrosion) put it back in, nothing.

-made sure kill switch was in correct position.

- made sure break lights work and respond to levers

Tomorrow I will take the belt cover off to see if the bendix is in place, I just put a brand new bendix and clutch in a week ago, the bike was running great.

This is driving me a bit nuts, now im thinking the starter maybe is dead, I wanted to ask you all here if there is anything else to consider trying. Im trying to avoid having it towed to the shop

Thanks in advance.

Hi
Test your start motor in direct with 12 volt

Is there a guide somwhere on MV about disconnecting the fuel injector safely to get access to the starter?

Take the battery to a battery store and have it tested. It sounds like it may be broken. Most other parts, like the starter, are rugged enough to survive a tip-over.

Good luck!

Yeppers.
Sounds like the battery was damaged in the fall. Classic symptoms.

That is a good idea, although the lights and instrument panel lights up, the tender said it was fully charged, I suppose is worth a shot. It is one of those sealed yuasa batteries that once you fill, you seal up the top.

I actually have an older bettery that was still working when I replaced it, I will try that.

I think you're on the right track. If the battery checks out OK, the next thing I'd check is the starter bendix. It's possible it got dislodged during the fall and simply needs to be re-seated. I guess it's also possible something else in the transmission got knocked around, but the bendix seems to be the most obvious culprit from what you're describing.

It's quite possible for a battery to be damaged yet still appear to take a charge, click the starter relay, and light the lights etc. Take it to a place that sells batteries; they'll have a tester that tests the battery under load. I bring mine to a local Batteries Plus store. They usually have a replacement in stock if the battery tests bad. Most auto service centers should have a battery tester too, but they may not have new scooter and motorcycle batteries.

Same goes for the older battery you have. It may have worked before and appear to be good, but it may not be strong enough to start your scooter anymore. Have it tested at the same time!

Good luck!

Just out if curiosity, how can a sealed yuasa battery pretty secure in there get murdered from a tip over? Have you heard of cases like this before?

Make sure your battery terminals and ground straps are all tight.

I just tried the other battery, charged it up, no difference. I think it's safe to say it isnt the battery. It's raining out where I am but when it stops ill open up the belt cover. If it's nothing strange in there, it's either the relay or the connection to the starter if not the starter itself I guess.

Anybody know where I can find a guide on how to switch out the starter getting past the other things on top?

Déconnect battery
Deconnect ecu wireless
And the throttle box with écu
Under you have your ignition motor

Surely, isn't this the tip-over switch needs resetting? I can't say that for sure on the LX but on the GTS there is a tip over switch. It kills the engine if the bike is tipped over for any reason.

Pull the spark plug out and see if it will crank over with it out

Cylinder may be full of oil.