Modern Vespa

I was have discussions with Robbie at Scooter Bottega, and he mentioned that Vespa GTS's with ASR report a lot immobilizer antenna failing.
Vespa GTS Immobilizer antenna which goes around the ignition switch, when it goes kaput, one has to replace the unit. Which is priced at around $150 retail.
The antenna is a sealed solid state device made by Magneti Marelli. Being a solid state device the only time something will fail is when it overheats and loosens the solder in the circuit board or there is a high current draw at the time the device is turned on or off, wiring harness/connectors loose/corroded, etc, can possibly cause failure.
So if the immobilizer antenna fails is there a way to repair and fix it or one has to replace the unit. I wonder if it anyone has managed to repair a immobilizer antenna?

So what is the link between Vespas which have ASR and Vespas which may have problems with the antenna in the immobilizer system?

I am not sure what the link is but supposedly lot of the Vespa's with ASR have problems with the antenna failing. Prior to 2015 models I believe GTS 300's did not have ASR.

My guess is that the antennas are sealed in epoxy and are not repairable, except perhaps if there's a little corrosion on the external connectors that can be cleaned up. Do you have a picture of one?

I pulled the glove leg shield panel off of my 2007 GT to replace the coolant tank recently.

When I put it back together the scooter wouldn't start.

I started thinking and remembered that the antenna ring was loose when I put the panel back on.

I took the panel off again and found the antenna ring loose, not around the ignition but hanging by it's wire.

I put it back around the ignition switch but it was still loose because one of the plastic tabs had broken.

Regardless, I placed it carefully and replaced the panel.

It started and continues to start, so it is OK.

To address your question, I have never had an issue with these antenna rings until this one, and my issue wasn't an electrical problem.

So I don't think I would worry about this part.

Bill

The original antenna rings were just that - a passive coil with no electronics. Rarely went wrong, but the wires were brittle.

Then Piaggio started to use active antennae. Enter unreliability.

I am a new owner of a used Vespa and I'm trying to get my head around immobilizers. I certainly get it on my Yukon and I certainly think the insurance companies like them but with all the locks and whatnot, why do we bother? If it's because the entire unit can be stolen then sold on, who besides the insurance companies actually cares? Of course, I'm saying this because I now realize I bought the scoot with only one key and I need to mail it to Texas or somewhere to get it cloned so I have a spare…

This is her:

the link is not the ASR per se. it's I think that when piaggio added abs+asr they also changed the immobiliser system as well. see jimc's comment

What's the part number of the one that breaks all the time?

Im guessing this is the part # 638534

I think the new part number is 1D004058R, because that's what's coming up on the Piaggio Distributor sites when I put in that number.
Feck, those are expensive. If you need one, and can find it, buy the old part number, the new one is significantly more expensive.

I realize this thread is several months old, but rather than starting a new one, seems relevant enough to jump on here.

Is there a way to test the immobilizer antenna to verify it needs to be replaced before spending $150+ on a new one?

Neither blue key nor master key disables immobilizer. Master key gives error code that the ECU is not programmed (single long light followed by two short lights then steady light). All indications from what I've read is that it's a faulty antenna.

Notes: I am the original owner of the bike and have original keys. Bike has been sitting idle in Texas heat for 2 years so it's likely that soldered connections have "melted". Has a new battery.

My suggestion would be bite the bullet and replace the antenna, if after replacing the antenna you still have the same problem then you know that possibly your antenna isn't the issue, and you could possibly return the new antenna.

The antenna is a sealed unit, so there is no way to open it other than to cut it open. You could do that, but I am not sure if you will be able to see if the circuit to see which connections the solder has loosened or broken.
You could send it to the manufacturer Magnetti Marelli and see they would check it out for you. I can tell ya this that they never responded to my email enquiring if they would be willing to test it and replace it for me.

test the antenna!

check the continuity. standard resistance is 7~9 Ω

over/under, replace and check function. still gives a two flash? replace CDI

values check within spec? replace CDI

Where? I don't think that there are many places that stock the antenna, and can't think of one that sell electric and electronic parts with the idea that people can plug them in and see if they work. One of the reasons is that broken electrical and electronic parts look pretty much like brand new parts that work. So the dealer doesn't know if they're getting the part they shipped back, or the used part that someone stuck in their packaging.

Given that you have no idea how well some random stranger knows how to diagnose or install an electrical part, would you be willing to buy something if there was a chance some dimwit tried to plug it into a wall to see if it worked?

LOL. True dat.

Hi, I have the same intermittent problem.
The red led will blink thrice, then after it stays on. And also the efi/asr will blink at a rate of 1sec.
Could it be the antenna problem too or any other problem?