Modern Vespa

Having a battery issue. Lights come on it turns but won't start. I connected by booster battery and presto got it running, or so I thought. After about 5 minutes idling the engine started to sputter out and the lights were flickering.

A bit of background:
- replaced the battery August 2021 with a Yuasa (the current battery)
- aprox 4,000 km put on the scoot since the replacement
- been riding it through since December 31 1-3 times a week
- recently played with the kill switch just before this happened. was able to ride 1 more time since playing with switch
- regular rider. I put between 2,000 - 3,000 km on it a year.

i suspect the battery is needing replacement but want to see if there is anything else work considering first

What do you mean by "played with the kill switch"?

I mean i actually bothered to use it to cut the engine.

You need to check the battery voltage.
If it starts and then later dies it's likely not the battery but the charging system.
Also if it turns over it should start. Have the valves been adjusted?

I have not touched the valves, the vehicle was serviced for the 6,000 and 9,000 km servicing last July. Not sure if that would have been included or not.

When batteries go they go quickly. Probably time for a new one. Yes check the voltage or take it to a parts store and have it tested.

OFG

I know I regularly point to the kill switch as a culprit, and it probably gets repetitive for the people who have heard it before. But I'll say it again: kill switches get dodgy sometimes. The contacts get carbonized, or maybe dirt gets in there, I don't know.

But it's a cheap and easy thing to test. Jab the kill switch back and forth a few times. Use some force on it.

Does the problem still happen? If so, it wasn't the kill switch and you've lost nothing but a few minutes of your time.

But if the problem goes away, you are victorious!

Could it be a CIA conspiracy?

I should say that I also agree with the suggestion to check the battery voltage, both with the bike off and then on.

Yep. It's not unusual for it to even be both battery and the charging system.




abrugge if you need help with it, this should help show you what to look for re: checking voltage, with even just a cheap $15-$20 multimeter.

Connected a battery maintainer and i am good and going now.

update. the battery stays charged, the starter switch only works when the scoot has been running frequently, the kick start works and I have been running like this for a couple months now. However now I have a new issue to add and not sure if it is related.

I was going to work I started to lose speed, pulled over with the engine running and let it sit. After sitting it moved about 2 meters before there was no movement, but yes the engine kept running. I stopped the engine and restarted no problem but still was only able to move about 2m before I lost movement with the engine running.

Any ideas to patch this thing or ideas about how to load this and lay it into the back of an SUV or hatch back to bring it to the shop?

What mileage does the scooter have?
When was the last time it was serviced, and then I mean checking or replacing rollers, belt, clutch?

When the engine is running it should move unless something in the transmission is broken.

Could be the clutch is worn, but then I would not expect you can even run it for 2m and clutches normally do not wear out before you noticing already for a long time there is something wrong.

Could be the belt is broken but then it does not go for a meter anymore.

Best thing, I think, is to get it home or to a service center. Then remove the transmission cover and check what is running when the engine is on and what not.

This sounds as if the variator driving pulley has lost its splines.

Scooty has 10,452 km on her

That could also be the case.

10k km is low. I guess it should have had a service at 5k and at 10k but even if you did skip those there should not be anything fatally wrong with the scooter, unless it is running too low on oil but that from your description is definitely not the problem here.

Did you buy it new?

Did you get it home or at a mechanic?

bought used, previous owner only serviced at the dealer, I only do minor stuff like oil change. She had the 9,000 km servicing last summer. I got it towed home. I think next week is getting it out to the shop.

I have been schooled. It was a combo of the battery not working properly. The engine running but not enough power to get up the hill was because the carburettor needing a cleaning. The mechanic showed me how they symptoms of this matched a solenoid that had seized up and suggested keeping a can of WD-40 to spray into so it does not seize up.