Modern Vespa

Hello,
New to the forum here. Have a problem. We bought a used Piaggio 2007 LX 150.
We changed the battery and found out we need the master key to over ride the immobilizer to start the engine. We never received a brown key so have no clue what to do next. Any tips/tricks would be Greatly appreciated.
Frank

I have replaced multiple batteries and was never in need of the brown key to restart the bike. When you get it all figured out you will want have your key cloned by Scooter West so you have a spare. Contact them and they will tell you what you need to do.

I'm with Outsider. I've replaced quite a few batteries in Vespas and other Piaggio scooters. Never required a master key (red/brown) to start the scooter after the swap. You will want to get your blue key cloned, however, before you manage to lose it.

Did it ever start, or did you just replace the battery without testing the bike? If you don't have a working key so the engine can't run then it wasn't really worth buying...

The brown key is used to cut and pair blue keys to the bike.

If you do not have a brown key, but do have a blue key that works, you can get a new blue keys cut and cloned by scooterwest or af1 racing.

If you don't have a key that works, you have to pull the ECU and have it "virginized" , purchase new lockset, and pair a new brown key to the ecu. Then you can buy new blue keys and use the brown key to cut and pair.

And all of that has nothing to do with battery replacements.

Agreed. But a knowledge of what the keys do is necessary to make OP realize that the lack of the brown key is not his problem.

But the OP's question was about keys, not batteries...

The scooter started before we replaced the battery. After we put in new battery it wouldn't start???

Was it a comparable battery? Was it charged first? Could you have connected it wrong?

Yeah, I would triple check that. Check the voltage on the battery , make sure that it is screwed down tight, make sure that the red terminal is not shorting out anywhere. Check your fuses in case you shorted something out during install.

BTW, what exactly happens when you turn the key? Does the dash get power? Is the kill switch in correct position? Does it turn over but not start?

It ran with the blue key.
We replaced the battery just like the previous.
When we turn the key, the panel lights up, but no Frank or anything like that.
Panel light lights up - red light flashes( code)

OK - does the code LED then stay on, or go off? You should have two quick flashes and then the LED goes off. If the LED stays on, then there's an immobiliser problem.

If you now cannot get the starter to turn over, then double-check your brake lights come on as you try to start. If not, try the other lever.

The code light flashes 4 about a day

That's fine, it's meant to flash for 24-48 hrs and then turn off to save the battery.

BUT, when you first turn on, does it eventually go out, or what?

Yes, it eventually goes out.

Hi All,
I am also new to this Forum as a new Vespa owner (Primavera 125 - 2015) that I purchased with only one key (Blue.) When questioned I was told that's all it come with!
So...does anyone know if I can I obtain the 'Brown Key' as I have the 'Code Card?'
Please help as now I'm getting concerned if I start getting problems on the bike! 😩 🤞🏻
Many thanks.

I'd think your primary concern would be if you lose or damage the one blue key. My advice would be to get it cloned, so you have a spare blue key.

Morning Dooglas,
Thank you for your advice.
I did see that on a you tube video but they are based in the US.
Do you know of any reliable garages in the UK that you would recommend I contact to obtain one, please?
Many thanks.
Tom. 👍🏻🤞🏻

Any competent auto locksmith should be able to do this - look for one that can cater for Fiat/Lancia keys. Expect to pay between £35 and £45.

e.g. https://www.georgelocksmithenfield.co.uk/

Thanks Jim.

I really appreciate your help.

Tom. 👍🏻

You can get a bypass CDI that does away with the Immobiliser, then you can use any key you like. I've just finished rebuilding a Vespa ET4 that came to me in bits. Obviouly it's had a total rebuild, including having no battery for a long time. I did buy a bypass CDI, but when I'd completed the rebuild I found that it would start and run fine with the one blue key I have. There's a black key, which will start the scooter, but it won't rev and drive with it. Not sure if it's the same with your scooter, but this is normal with the ET4 125, the wrong key will start but not run the engine. Are you sure you've not blown a fuse when changing the battery?
Finally, there's a guy on ebay who advertises a service where he will take your CDI, decode the immobiliser setting and provide you with new keys. Here's the link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124695820352?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 Reading his ad, I would think that if you can provide him with the CDI and the blue key he may be able to simply do more keys for you without you having to change the lock barrels, but you can discuss that with him.

No need to provide the CDI, let alone get new lock barrels if you already have a good key. Quick and easy to get it cloned.

Hi Andrew,
I've only just got the scooter & have only been given the one 'Blue Key', so not sure what the heck to do, as I read the manual & found the issue with the 'Red Program Key' so I want to be proactive before I get some unwanted problems.
But thanks for the link. 👍🏻

using the brown/red key is one way of cloning the chip in the blue. there are also devices that most locksmiths* have that can also clone the chip in the blue. apparently the chip in the red/brown can't be cloned but this doesn't matter as you can get your locksmith to clone the blue many times.

* I mean locksmiths capable of doing normal car keys.

If the red LED goes out after it flashes a couple of times, then it's likely not the immobilizer. I'd check the kill switch (if you have one), the battery connections, and the brake lights switches (by confirming the brake light comes on when you pull the brake lever. It seems like the conversation has drifted into a discussion about cloning keys, when really I think you were trying to get the scooter started. No need to chase down key cloning (yet) if you haven't solved the starting problem.

Finally got the scooter to crank!!!!!
Kept flipping the kill switch from on to off several times. It cranks, but no turn over. Its been non op for 7 yrs. Do u recommend changing the sparkplug?
Figure couldn't hurt. Obviously put in new gas with seafoam additive. Any thoughts?

Cranks and turn over are the same thing. Turn over or cranks but doesn't fire is probably what you are looking for.

I stand corrected, thanks.
Any idea as to what's the issue?

did you check the brake light as some have mentioned above?

also have you checked all the fuses with a multimeter?

That's a whole different can of worms. You should have mentioned that in the first post.

I believe that this is a carbureted scooter. You need to drain all the old fuel out, and try new fuel, and maybe even clean the carburetor.

A 2007 LX 150 is carbureted. If it was non-op for 7 years, I'd start by very thoroughly cleaning the carb. And, you should drain any fuel in the tank and replace with fresh fuel. Also, if it took a bunch of playing with the kill switch to finally get it to turn over, then you'll also want to clean the kill switch and brake light switch connections. Finally, you should have a good look over the fuel and vacuum lines, and the intake manifold. I'd be very surprised if you didn't find any cracks or dry rot. Any intake leak will cause it to run poorly if you can get it started.

Once you do all that, you should check the tires for cracking and manufacture tire date. They'll likely need to be replaced as well.

Thx all. We did drain old gas and put in new.
Next we'll check the carburetor.

If the scooter hasn't been run for years, have you given the carburettor a good clean?
Starting involves spark, fuel and timing. There's no reason to suspect the timing has gone off if no-one has messed with that side of things. It's easy enough to check whether or not you're getting a spark. After years being laid up it's more than likely that the carb is gunged up. You may have pulled through some rubbish starting it prior to fitting the new battery. Crank the engine for a while on the starter, then remove the plug and see if there's petrol on it.

Huh? It turns over but doesn't turn over? Now you tell us!

It would be really helpful if folk could tell the whole story when asking for help themselves - and if they actually answered the questions asked.

As above, change all vacuum and fuel lines, check intake manifold for splits and leaks (be prepared to buy a new one), and keep cleaning the carb until it starts. Absolutely! No need to add seafoam at the moment if you clean that carb properly.

Thx.Gonna give it a try