Modern Vespa

Before storing the vespa for the winter, i ran it 100% out of regular gas, put in truefuel, ran it a bit, then stored it, as the local dealership told me.

Now i'm trying to start it, I charged the battery from my house. It would turn over at first but wouldn't start, now it's not even turning over, making this strange noise.

https://imgur.com/a/mthPGwy

What do I do? It simply won't start and I can't see why.

That is absolutely the noise of a drained battery. Charge it again - then take it to a shop to get it tested. It should give 120CCA or better. If it's more than three years old it doesn't owe you anything anyway, replace it - BUT make sure the replacement is fully charged before first use. Not doing so is a leading cause of early battery failure with these small capacity batteries.

thank you!! so there's nothing wrong with my ignition then? or maybe gunk in the fuel? i can't see how since i used truefuel.

another question: if the battery is at fault, why won't it start while being charged by my house?

You may have just drained it (if it's lost capacity over time) while trying to start.

You don't say what model Vespa you have, nor how long since it last started and ran properly. Both bits of clue are necessary to help diagnosis.

What is truefuel?

I have the LX50, it was running just fine last november when i stored it. I don't know how old that battery is, i don't think much older than 3 years or so.

sorry it's spelled TruFuel

https://trufuel50.com/

it's special fuel that's meant for longer term storage. (i used the 4-cycle kind of course)

You won't know until it can turn over fast enough to try to start. You ain't goin' nowhere until then. If it cranks well for say 15 seconds a few times and won't fire, time to look further. A good guess is that's not your problem.

I have a battery like that....I'm waiting on a replacement.

Just my 2 cents....don't waste your money on special fuel, unless you're maybe planning on leaving it sit for a few years. Some good ethanol-free, some stabilizer and you're good to go.

Thanks for your input, i'm a real noob when it goes to scooters. where do you recommend buying a replacement battery? would any scooter retail have them, or should i buy online?

It sounds like the battery is holding some charge, but not enough to turn over. Why don't you try the kick start to get it going? The battery don't need much of a charge at all for the kick start to be effective at starting it.

Solved! i kept charging the battery and it finally started and ran no problem.

I shut it off and the ignition was very hesitant to start it again but it did start and run just fine. so i'm sure it's a battery issue.

Any recommendations on the best way to replace it? can I buy a battery online and is it faily easy to replace myself?

People here want to help you but need a bit more info. Put your model of Vespa and year in your profile.

What battery is in there now?

I'd go to Walmart and get a new one or Battery Plus or a Vespa dealer. Guess which will be cheaper.

It's a LX50 from I think 2012, this is now added to my profile. Honestly idk what kind of battery is in there now, I can send a picture when I'm back home.

Or remove the cover, take a picture, take out the battery and take it to wallmart or batteries plus or the dealer. It's not hard at all.

Google is your friend. Batteries Plus may not be cheapest but they've probably got what you want.

No harm in shopping around, especially if something's more convenient.

I'd recommend NAPA or Wal Mart. Dimensions, connections, cold cranking amps (CCA), and amp hour rating are what you're looking for. If you find a battery with same dimensions and connections with a higher CCA or Amp hour rating, go there.

just popping back in to say thank you to everyone who commented. this forum is fantastic.

i didn't get a chance to take a pic of the battery but i'll likely be going to walmart to get a replacement. want to make sure dimensions match, and voltage of course, but also amp hours per comments above.

And the terminals are in the right places too.

ooh, yes good call. i found this, which seems a valid replacement:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Vespa-LX150-Battery-Also-Fits-LX50-Scooter/746644013?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=8284

That's an old-school flooded, wet-cell battery, which will need regular checks and topping up with de-ionised water. Find a 'maintenance free' version instead - most are these days.

i had no idea that's how those batteries work. that might explain why my current battery isn't performing properly...

Try this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H6SOI8S

Thanks! i'll have to double check dimensions. so this one, i just install it and that's it until it runs out of life in 3 or so years?

Note the code on the one Jim recommended at Amazon= YTX9-BS SLA

Now google that code and see what it means. Then order that battery or go to Walmart looking for one now that you understand the code and also double check the dimensions. Take your old one to Walmart and they will dispose of it for you.

That's what I did.

Or go to Battery's plus and they will sell you the correct battery and take your old one and likely charge a bit more. They should charge more because they were there to help and advise you.

Walmart also sells a wet cell battery that you add the acid to and then charge up after it has been stabilized. You then seal it up with a the strip provided and you have a maintenance free battery. I don't care for sealed ones you buy online because you have no idea how old it is when you get it. For all I know, it was sitting on a boat for 3 months or longer. Battery Plus is a good option if you do not have a motorcycle battery charger.

And pay double even at Walmart - three times as much at Batteries Plus. FTFY.

The one I quoted is an AGM - that should be good for many, many months from manufacture. Yes, an equalising charge is still strongly advised though before first use - but it'll come with instructions.

The AGM type at Walmart is what I was talking about. You just do the same work that Battery Plus does for an extra $20 or so.

I decided to buy from battery plus nearby, they will get the battery ready for me and take my old one for $10 off, soounds good. i'm picking it up after work tomorrow so i'll be leaving the old battery in my car during the day, it'll be in a garage, is that ok?

also, i removed the old battery and there's an odd clear tube that connected to the side of the old battery (flooded lead acid type), do i need this for my new one? seems strange.

also see that fuse going between the positive and negative? why is that installed, do i need that?

https://imgur.com/a/dHAPFf5

That fuse feeds a Battery Tender connector - which is dangling somewhere ready to be used.

What work? The one I quoted comes fully sealed and charged.

I understand that - the one from Amazon comes ready to go. The AGM from Walmart is not, you do some work. The ones from Battery Plus are just like the Walmart one, but they do the work. For me, I have had much better luck with the ones from Walmart than one made in another country and sold online here. YMMV

so i googled this and got confused, what exactly does this device do?

any idea on that tube thing?

The tender provides a trickle charge to keep the battery topped up. It extends the useful battery life, a good option if the scooter is used for short runs or stored for long periods.

The hose is the gas vent for unsealed batteries.

Ty ty. Is that old battery safe to keep in my car overnight?

Yes, as long as it's upright!

So when i get the new battery, can i just keep the tender reconnected? is it doing nything bad if i leave it?

for the tube, i assume i just reconnect that to the new battery when i get it?

Yes,
No,
you won't need the tube.


Also ask the folks at Battery Plus to confirm.

thank you!

And if it doesn't want to start after you read aloud to it everything you just learned about the seamy underside of the retail battery trade, clean the jets in the carb and hit it with ether. Unless you drain the bowl on a 50 before you put it away, they almost always clog.