Modern Vespa

Ok...I bought my o7 GT 200 last Wednesday with 4 miles on it. The dealership drove it to my home for me as I do not yet have a license. That was two miles. I rode it three three times over the next two days with no problems. Yesterday I got on it it and it started right up and I rode it to a friends house about a mile away. I went inside for about 20-30 minutes. I came out and it wouldn't start. I tried maybe ten times. A couple of times it started and then stopped after only 3 seconds. Then it sounded like the engine didn't turn over at all. As I was making arrangements for my friend to drive me home, I decided to give it one more try. This time it started after a couple of tries and lots of revving and I drove it home with no problems. Once I got home I parked it and then about 30 minutes later I wanted to see if it worked. It doesn't. There is not even a slight engine turn over. It is just a whining sound. The code light on the front lights up but oher than that there it doesn't seem close to starting. I have not doen a thing to it since I got it. I haven't even put gast in it. The dealership isn't open on MOndays so I thought I would try and see if anyone has any ideas here. Thanks in advance for your help and comments.

Have you checked the battery? I know it's new, but it's possible the battery is bad or dead from sitting around the showroom if it wasn't prepped well.

That's my thought. I am not technical. How do you check the battery?

Mine was doing the same thing, only it's an 04. Turns out the wires were loose on the battery. Then over a month later it started again and I realized it was now time to get a new battery. Battery was bad. Took it back and they gave me a new one. No problems. It was the same problem but caused by 3 diffrerent things.

"Morvran" is absolutely correct. Make sure the connections are tight, Otherwise disconnect it and put it on a battery trickle charger ( something like a Battery Tender from auto parts stores or Wal Mart). If your battery won't charge up after a few hours, take it out and take to an auto parts store and just buy a new one. While you are at it, you should probably pour a little carb. cleaner in the gas tank ( something like Lucas Fuel Treatment ) if you think the scooter has had any gas in it since 2007 even if the Dealer said it was all fresh fuel, a little carb cleaner can never hurt.
If scooter starts after recharging battery, keep it running and take it for a long ride... the best way to keep batteries charged and fuel systems clean.

Thanks guys. You all have been most helpful. Can you tell me how to take the battery out? If it is too hard I will wait til tomorrow to see the dealer.

Make sure the spark plug boot is attached to the spark plug properly. Mine fell off within days of bringing it home, and it has happened once again since. Symptoms are exactly what you talk about.

OK...I took the battery out and I am going to take it to get tested. I will let you all know. The dealer put some extra thing on the bottom that he said was for charging the battery without taking it out. Does anyone know what I am talking about? If so, what do I need to buy to just plug into the wall so the battery can be charged?

I just went through the very same thing this weekend with my brand new GT200. Check out my posting GT200 Woes. There was a cure for me in the Tech Section about hard to start. I just did the Evap hose fix and I am cured. Ta Dah. The only parts you need to gather up is a foot long 3/16" fuel line and a thin piece of Filter. I think it cost me all of $5 at the auto parts place.

Battery Tender, Jr., comes with all the cords and plugs you'll ever need. And it's inexpensive; you can leave it plugged in all the time if you like.

Where can I purchase one? If I don't have to go to the dealer to get it, that would be best as they are closed today.

BEFORE you do anything... do check to see if the kill switch (right hand, red button) is on or off. This could be an "uh-ha!" moment.

Good thought. I already checked that. Before I took the battery out I tried to start it one last time. I just got the mechanical whining noise and a slight sputter but not much else. I am about to take the battery in. Tanks for all the help. I will keep everyone posted.

My "fix my bike" guy put the plug on mine so all I have to do is connect it when I pull in the garage and the battery stays charged, even in the winter (it does get cold in Pensacola). Mine is accessed by removing the pet carrier (under the seat) and there it is. I don't remember what he charged because he did some other stuff at the same time. But it's not expensive.

When he put that on there he should have given you the rest of the kit that plugs into the wall and connects to the trickle charge (which is what you have on there). Although my kit came with two wires for one plug and one is on my son's scooter. He will have to buy a new kit to use it. At least you have one already installed. Even if you have to buy another kit to "plug it in" it will be worth it.

I couldn't agree more. I know when I first got my scoot I was improperly starting it. I was one step away from getting mine to start, and the reason was soooooo simple (I will not say why it wasn't starting b/c I'm too embarassed).

This might sound like a total rookie call, but sit down with the Owner's Manual and start at the beginning.

Before you start ripping the scooter apart, take a deep breath and start from the beginning. Having built numerous bicycles in the past, I can say it's usually right in front of your face.

Thanks for the advidce. I have tried all of the routine stuff and ahve read the manual (which I think is very poorly written) and still no starting. It is perplexing because it started fine for the firt 3 days and 5-6 differents rides. Presently, I have the battery on a trickle charger at my local auto parts store. After work, I will get it and put it back in and report back.

If the Owner's Manual is confusing, try reading it in Italian. After the first 5 minutes, you should be ready to return to the English directions and it should be no problem.

In all seriousness, it's not well-written. And don't think that taking things apart is a bad way to be. If you have an infanile mind like I do, you need to see that this little knob turns this little wheelie, etc. Sometimes taking it apart is the way to diagnosis the problem - as long as you can put it back together again...

I wonder how many folks call to have their scooter picked up by the shop and when the shop shows up, the thing is in pieces. Bet it happens quite a bit ("But I was just helping you guys out..."). hahahaha

Since you are only getting the whine sound, it almost sounds like the starter motor is not engaging the gear to turn the motor over.

.....which happens when there isn't enough juice in the battery.

OK...got home tonight with a bettery that had been on a trickle charge all day. Put the battery back in, tightend the cables and pushed start....voila'...came on with no problem. My next purchase is the trickle charger. Thanks everyone for all your help. Rode it around for an hour and a half tonight with no issues at all.

Sound like the place you bought it from did not prep the bike totally. They should have checked to make sure the battery had a full charge.

Glad you fixed it but i'd be banging on the dealers door getting a new battery. Sounds like if he had a trickle charger cable on it there were some issues with it before you bought it. I don't think i've heard of anybody getting a new one with a connector already installed. That's not normal. People buy and install them later on.

Ah, good news.

Good to hear you're up and running again. Now get over to your dealer and figure out what the deal is with that thing they installed.

I talked to the dealer. He says they install these on every scooter they sell as a courtesy. All you have to do is buy a trickle charger and the battery is ready to go.

I keep reading about the need for trickle charging. It's weird. A battery should last months without draining. Mine do. Long outdoor months. If a battery depletes like that, either the battery is inferior or there's a load of power being sucked away. Maybe something is not turning off. Maybe the wire casings are not up to the job. But something is not right.

Our scoot in Rome needed it for moderately long sitting periods, and I think it was due to the alarm system. Here in Cleveland I imagine it will come in handy during the winter. The battery *should* last a long time sitting, but using it as a precaution can't hurt.