Modern Vespa

Hi, I recently bought a Piaggio MP3 400 LT (2008). It's been driving great and there seems no issues with the engine. It drives perfectly, but I have this issue that I sometimes cannot start the bike again after stopping the engine. It does not even crank when I press the start engine button. When I wait like five minutes or just try to take the keys out and put it back in / turn to ON a few times, I can start the bike again.

Here is a small scenario when this happens:

1. I start the bike and drive normally
2. I turn it off by turning the key
3. I turn the key to ON
4. The immobilizer lamp (red lamp) stays on and the check engine light stays on
5. I cannot start the bike (when I press the start engine button I don't event hear a sound)
6. I turn the bike off and wait five minutes (or keep turning/taking out the key), the immobilizer lamp goes off and the check engine light goes off and I can start the bike again

It's very frustrating, especially when I have to refuel as a gas station. When I turn it off, it takes me about 5-10 minutes to be able to start the bike again and drive away. See attached video's to see how it looks when the bike won't start and can start. When the bike starts, it works perfectly and the engine sounds like clockwork.

I'm going to a dealer soon, but wanted to check with you guys to see what I can expect or that it's something I can take care of myself. Thanks!

Video's:

This happens when the bike won't start:

And this is how it looks when I can successfully start the bike:

Hi, the age of the scooter does not help, it is dying, no matter what you do to maintain it, it will die on you, so it is better to get rid of it and get a newer scooter. I am not against these scooters, I had one and I loved it. You need to face the facts.
Most properly there is rust in the connectors either in the ignition section or the other side, so you have to check the connections all around.
Also, have a look at the trouble shooting in the manual, that should give you an idea.
I hope this helped.
Cheers,

That's a fresh load of something stinky right there.
My MP3 500 is 2008 vintage too, and has ~46,000 miles on it.
Runs fine. It's not age that is the factor here.
Farmers run tons of tractors from the 1970's....

To the OP, some thoughts:
1. Do the brake lights turn on when you pull the levers (one at a time, every time).
2. The kill switch can get debris inside. Sometimes it helps to jog it back and forth a couple dozen times.
3. It is possible there is a problem with the tilt lock system, and a prior owner disconnected the horn. I'd check this out, though I don't know that this would prevent the motor from starting.

Thank you for your reply!

1. The brake lights do work, I tested both hand brakes and foot pedal, the lights work
2. I've played around with this already, only when I put the kill switch on I see a different icon I don't see when I can't start the bike
3. There is actually a problem with the tilt lock. Whenever I enable tilt lock, the horn goes off like three times. I just don't use it anymore, maybe this could be the issue then?

That's nothing about age. Can you record a video of the red LED while you can't start it? Could be ignition lock, or engine kill switch, or immo. Nasty gremlin, but easily solved once found.

Thank you for your message. Here is the video of when it's not starting:

And here is the video of when it can be started (I don't know if that would help):

Looks to me the problem is with the immobilizer system (key, transponder, receiver, etc, etc, etc). Are you using original Piaggio keys?

As far as I know they're original. The same problem happens even with the master key (the brown one)

The immobilizer is more than just the key. If the electronic ring around the ignition barrel/key tumbler does not work properly (i.e. cannot validate the chip inside the key) it will not give the green light to the ECU to allow the engine to start.

Yep, does look as immo problem. Sometimes an easy solution is to pull the key off the lock and turn it 180 degrees. The chip might be more "readable" in the other position.

But the best option is to replace the immo antenna, it is around the lock (key slit)

First, I am no a mechanic and my experience is very limited. I read most answers after mine stating that it has nothing to do with age! and then giving ideas. If anyone read my comment it stated the same thing as everyone else stated, check the wiring at the start and end of the problem area.
I am not against the scooter, but everyone should face the reality, after 10 years, things start to die whether we accept it or not. This is what I faced with my scooter, I took care of my scooter and kept it well maintained, but it did start to face issues and also getting parts for it was an issue. If age has nothing to do with it (which include usage of course), then why is the poster asking? why is the poster having issues?

Is that a justification for today's lamentable throw-away society? I'm not buying that. Even new things break, or don't work in the first place. Maybe it is age-related - maybe a neutrino just happened to interact with an important atom in the electronics - surely the important thing is to find the problem and if it's sustainable to do so, FIX IT.

You understood me wrong. I stated the main reason and I stated what needs to be done also recommended to refer to the trouble shooting in the manual. All have stated that age has nothing to do with it, while it is the main reason, that is why the poster is having a problem, I am not recommending to throw away, but taking consideration certain factors: finding the right competent persons to do the work, the availability of parts and the cost would assist in deciding whether to get rid of an item (I don't mean the scooter but this applies in general) or keep fixing it. This was my point. I was just clarifying that point.

I have a very similar problem with my 2007 mp3 250 and after check everything the reason be the receptor that is around the key barrel that are not reading correctly the transceiver in the key. Change it and all is fine now