OP
|
UTC
quote
Hi Folks. 2018 GTS Touring. Went to ride this morning and wouldn’t start. Turned key, dash did its thing, heard the fuel pump, pulled the brake lever, pushed the starter and nothin’. No clicks. Have been riding almost daily. Will the fuel pump kick in if the battery is low but not have enough juice to get the starter to turn over? Checked all the usual things…kill switch, side stand, tried the red key. Still nothing. Didn’t have time to investigate and am out now, but will check battery connectors when I get home. Any suggestions? Thanks. Jon
|
![]() UTC
Hooked
2021 Vespa GTS 300 Super HPE
Joined: UTC
Posts: 113 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida |
|
Hooked
![]() 2021 Vespa GTS 300 Super HPE
Joined: UTC
Posts: 113 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida |
UTC
quote
First check "Fuel-Spark-Air", the three main things that run the engine
1. Fuel & Lines 2. Battery & Cables 3. Sparkplug Cables 4. Air Vacuum Tubes When you say nothing = when you pressed the starter button it did not turn at all? If that's the case, could be the button or starter with a short / dirty connection |
OP
|
![]() UTC
Hooked
2021 Vespa GTS 300 Super HPE
Joined: UTC
Posts: 113 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida |
|
Hooked
![]() 2021 Vespa GTS 300 Super HPE
Joined: UTC
Posts: 113 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida |
UTC
quote
How many miles? 2018 not that old of a model -- ever had any issues starting or cutting out while running before?
|
OP
|
UTC
quote
Oddly no. Never an issue at all. I still wonder if it’s a battery. Can a low battery activate the fuel pump and then not have enough juice to activate the starter?
|
Moderaptor
![]() The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44525 Location: Pleasant Hill, CA |
UTC
quote
Did the brake light come on? This is the usual way people find out their brake light switches have failed.
So try the other brake lever. |
![]() UTC
Hooked
2021 Vespa GTS 300 Super HPE
Joined: UTC
Posts: 113 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida |
|
Hooked
![]() 2021 Vespa GTS 300 Super HPE
Joined: UTC
Posts: 113 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida |
UTC
quote
Blackguard wrote: Oddly no. Never an issue at all. I still wonder if it’s a battery. Can a low battery activate the fuel pump and then not have enough juice to activate the starter? |
Veni, Vidi, Posti
![]() GTS 300ABS, Buddy 125, Buddy Kick 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 13505 Location: Oregon City, OR |
UTC
quote
I had exactly those symptoms once on my GTS. One of the battery connections had vibrated loose. Tightened the connections and the problem went away.
|
OP
|
UTC
quote
Tried both brake levers. Moved the side stand back and forth. And rocked the kill switch. Off home now to check battery cons.
|
OP
|
UTC
quote
Thanks for the help friends. Oddly enough, I got home, put in the key and it started right up. It was fine this morning and I rode it into town for a coffee. I checked the battery terminals and they are tight and clean. Intermittant problems can be a b**ch, so I hope it doesn't keep happening. What I really hope is that it was the Vespa gods keeping me from riding into some kind of weird situation. I can be superstitious that way. Anyway, thanks for the suggestions. Jon
|
Addicted
![]() 2001 GTS Super (white), 2021 GTS Super (yellow), 1976 Bianchi Snark moped, 1980 General 5 Star moped
Joined: UTC
Posts: 790 Location: Powhatan, Virginia |
UTC
quote
If it were my bike, I wouldn’t travel too far from home until you are confident that the issue is definitely resolved, especially if you don’t have towing on your bike. I had a starting issue with my GT 200 recently, and until I was sure I had fixed the problem, I didn’t venture out far from home. Best of luck! I hope it doesn’t do it again for you.
|
OP
|
UTC
quote
Thanks Mopedlar, My previous GTS eventually needed a full wiring harness replacement (long story, out of warranty, no help from Vespa) and I got the towing package from AAA. They towed it from near Springfield,MA all the way to the dealer southwest of Hartford(now closed). Well worth the extra $ added to our regular policy. I think they call it the RV package. Saved me a packet.
|
|
UTC
quote
Kill switches have been known to get dodgy. In situations like this, repeatedly jabbing at the kill switch (on and off) a few times is recommended, just to eliminate the possibility that the contacts have some dirt or corrosion blocking the circuit.
|
|
UTC
quote
I also have a 2018 Vespa 300 Gts and my bike is doing the same thing. Sometimes mine starts and sometimes it doesn’t with the same symptoms you described with yours. I put a new battery in about a month ago so it’s definitely not a battery issue. The crazy thing is it will eventually start if I wait long enough. I’m afraid to go anywheres with it as it seems to be happening more consistently.
|
UTC
Member
Kymco , Honda and Vespa GTS Super
Joined: UTC
Posts: 23 Location: East Tennessee |
|
|
Modern Vespa is the premier site for modern Vespa and Piaggio scooters. Vespa GTS300, GTS250, GTV, GT200, LX150, LXS, ET4, ET2, MP3, Fuoco, Elettrica and more.