Modern Vespa

I have a 2016 GTS Super with what was an intermittent problem last week. Today it is DOA and left me stranded.

Since this issue has started the following changes have been observed:
1. sometimes it dies when idling - it never did this in the past (estimate about 1500-1700 RPM)
2. idles slower than in the past - (estimate about 900-1000 RPM)
3. turning key off then back to on results in no dash lights, no fuel pump, no starter clicking, nothing

Both keys behave the same way - key in and turned to ON - no dash lights.
No warning lights came on when the bike is/was running

When this started I thought it was a bad battery even though the battery tested as WEAK. I replaced the battery with a new one and thought my problem was solved until today.

The immobilizer light flashes about every 2 seconds. I think this is normal. When I insert the key in either the LOCK or OFF position the immobilizer continues to flash. When I turn the key to ON the immobilizer stops flashing. Yet nothing on the dash comes on.

The manual says"
"Each time the ignition key is removed from the OFF or LOCK position, protection system activates... When the key is turned to ON the engine block is only deactivated if the system recognizes the code in the key"

Since the light stops flashing when I turn the key to ON, I presume the immobilizer ring/system is reading the key code and deactivating the protection system.

The manual also says the protection system is activated when the RUN switch is clicked to OFF regardless of whether the ignition key is turned ON.

Does the immobilizer system stop all the dash lights from coming on?

If so, it seems that may be my problem.

However, before doing anything else I plan to check all the fuses with a multimeter.

Any ideas or advice is greatly appreciated.

I suspect it's your ignition switch that's intermittent. Try jiggling the key. Or better yet, replace the electrical part of the switch (keeping your original key).

what battery did you replace it with? was it fully charged prior to installing?

I just received a call from a guy in parts at AF1 Racing in Austin.

He confirmed that the immobilizer system does not turn the dash off and thus the likely culprits are an ignition switch issue or a main wiring issue.

I have found that the main 30 amp fuse holder in the battery compartment is not making a solid connection to the fuse and that one side of the fuse is discolored. I now need to figure out a way to tighten the fuse holder so that it grip the fuse blades better.

I always charge a battery before installing unless I am trapped somewhere away from home.

The issue is a bad main fuse holder.

The main fuse was not making good contact. The right blade is discolored and the plastic on the fuse is melted.

Unfortunately, the fuse holder on the bike is slightly damaged and does not tightly clamp on the fuse. I don't know how to release the wire from the holder in order to crimp the fuse holder a little so that it will grab the fuse better.

I may end up cutting the fuse holder out and replacing it with an aftermarket one.

The quick easy method is to cut the wires and add an aftermarket fuseholder.

The female spade connectors in the fuseholder are held in place by a tang, which can be pushed out of the way with a very thin screwdriver - watchmaker's perhaps. However finding an exact replacement might not be easy, and you'd have to cope with shortening the wire to it or extending that anyway.

Me, I'd go the aftermarket route.