Modern Vespa

Good evening I wondered if someone could help give me some guidance on how to replace a kill switch on a GTS125 2007 model.
I had the unfortunate experience this evening of breaking down in London by the post office Tower. The Vespa does turnover but won't start. I'm pretty sure the Killswitch is playing up as it was about three months ago and I use some WD-40 which I sprayed around it. Anyway, the Vespa is now securely parked in a garage but before I opt to get it recovered to a repair shop, I thought I might attempt to replace the kill switch myself as I have a spare. I've looked online to see if there are any guides or how to videos on how to replace the switch but I can't seem to find any. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks and good evening.

Headset cover has to come off. Switch just snaps in.

There are videos on how to open up the headset (see the wiki: GT/GTS: Headset Removal Video ), then just disconnect the killswitch, press in its retaining tabs and push it out of the plastic surround.

Amazing thanks for the video link, I have taken the Vespa apart before but wasn't sure if there was a cheat to removibg the switch to replace. These videos are great!

I don't know if it's the same, but I replaced one on a HPE 300 from the outside without opening the headset. I had to bust up the old switch and use a small pick to get it out.

Thanks I did wonder this also but sounds like the whole casing has to come off. I'll revert back once completed !

I was able to get the whole casing out. Be careful so you don't mess up the painted plastic. I pulled the button off, and used a small pick to release the pins.

Just for future reference, Tri-flow aerosol spray is much better than WD-40. In fact almost anything is better than WD-40 for contacts IMO. Tri-flow won't hurt paint either and the contacts like it. Of course contact cleaner is probably best, but it can mess up paint. You can find it at bicycle shops in aerosol and liquid in squeeze bottle. I an not associated w/ Tri - flow company, I just like it and use it a lot.

Good morning all so I finally managed to get to change the Killswitch today however no joy. The motor won't fire I can hear it turning over and a slight distance sound when I twist throttle. No smell of petrol so I don't think it's flooded. Any other simple things I could check before arranging a tow.

Thanks

So after some further investigation into engine bay I think I found the culprit. The HT lead looks like it's snapped right off. Not sure on where the rest of it is and how to replace. Help gratefully accepted!

One end screws into the spark plug cap, the other connects to the coil.

Thanks, I could really do with the hands to know where the end of the Cable is connected to, is this something that someone can help with?

The spark plug is just below where you're marked. The coil is in front of the engine, access through the removable panel under the front of the seat.

Issues with the spark plug cap are way to common, I'm at about half a dozen by now across 2 scoots. First thing I check now.

You don't need the whole lead, just the cap. Cap screws on to the end of the cable.

And buy two, so you have a spare!

Thanks all, but I am still on the wiser as to where the cable goes because it has snapped. Maybe the photo is not great but all I have is the part that comes out of the spark plug and a bounce 4 inches of cable. If I understand correctly, I need to order the whole Cable and cap? Is there any photos of where the other end goes, please?

Get your Philips screwdriver out, remove the one screw holding the inspection panel in place, remove it, gaze in wonder at the coil. Which is where the other end is..

Took a better look at your pic. Looks like the cable just came out of the cap, not snapped. Have you removed the cap from the plug yet? May not even need a new cap.

With the cap off will see what looks like a screw on the end where the wire goes. Should be able to simply screw it back on the wire. After about 6 turns should feel it bottom out, stop at this point because you're only screwing it into rubber.

Vespa doesn't have this access panel. I believe it's a GTS125 . So it looks like it might be underneath the battery cover.?

Thanks, the end of the lead you see. Unless I am completely mistaken is not the bit that fits into the cap is the other side of it. Hence why I think it in someway snapped. I won't be able to doublecheck now until Monday where I can take a few more photos maybe.

My apologies - for some weird reason I was thinking of an LX150.

The coil for the GTS is accessed by removing the battery - the coil is behind the battery in front of the engine.

Thanks jimc, will see if I can locate it on Monday and figure out what to do. I popped into my local repair shop and they have ordered parts for me (in case).

Couldn't find anything behind the battery , so confused now .. tow truck is £100 which would have been good to avoid. Nothing visible behind battery , I took the whole thing out and plastic housing. Is it possible that it snapped off?

I think I may have misled you. The coil is actually underneath the floorboards, but you need to remove the battery to get at the bolts that hold it in place. Here's a video - the screw heads may be different (Philips rather than Torx) - but the principle's there.

Thanks Jimc would you be able to resend link to video?

Ah, sorry:
Video - GTS/GTV Floorboard Removal

All in the Wiki...

Hold on here before you take half of the scooter apart. Are you replacing the coil, or just the cable from the coil to the plug? It's been a few years, but I replaced the cable on a GTS300 by removing nothing. Raise the scooter with the centerstand sitting on some scrap lumber. Climb under it with a flashlight and look at the area between the battery and the front of the engine. What do you see?

Yeah, last time it happened to me, on my current scoot, GTS 300, I only had to take the exhaust off to get my hand on the coil.

I think the coil location may depend on both the year and engine size of the GTS/GTV. Bearing in mind there are 125, 150, 250, 300 and now 310cc models.

Thanks All: I think the best route for me is now my local repair shop, neither option will work easily in a dim lit car park. I really appreciate teh help here and have learned alot. Wish I had never called my tow insurer service when i broke down the first time as they refuse to pick the Vespa up citing electrical faults are not covered in the first 30 days. Lot's of lessons in one day!!! £100 just to get it to where it needs to be! Plus insurance that isn't fit for purpose.

Update ! The coil is housed under the side of this frame. Nothing needed to be dismantled or removed. I don't know if I would have been able to fix myself as looks awkward to get at. But glad it's working again!