Modern Vespa : ET4 125 Starting problems

ET4 125 Starting problems

Ronseal

UTC

details

Enthusiast

Vespa LX50 2t

Joined: UTC
Posts: 89
Location: Bedfordshire

Ronseal

Enthusiast

Vespa LX50 2t

Joined: UTC
Posts: 89
Location: Bedfordshire

UTC quote

Hi there,

Im having a few problems starting my ET4.

When starting the bike by starter button, one of 3 things happens:

1. The starter motor does its thing and the motor turns and after several attempts, the bike starts, or;

2. The starter motor does it thing, but the engine doesnt turn and it doesnt start, or finally;

3. Nothing happens, just a clicking sound.

Help will be much appreciated. I only just got the bike and its proving to be a right bugger.

Its a 2002 Leader model incidently, if that helps.

Cheers
R

Harvey

UTC

details

Ossessionato

2016 Honda NC750XD, 2007 GTS (sold),

Joined: UTC
Posts: 3517
Location: Canada

Harvey

Ossessionato

2016 Honda NC750XD, 2007 GTS (sold),

Joined: UTC
Posts: 3517
Location: Canada

UTC quote

I think the first thing I would check would be the battery.
Do you know if it's the original? Also, are you doing short trips?
ET4...no start
Battery problem

from Commuters - how often do you charge?

jimc wrote:

Oh dear the perennial question...

If your vehicle (car/bike/whatever) starts first time within 5 secs then there's no problem with battery or charging system - but do check wet batteries every week for levels. Less than 5 miles a day will not keep the battery in tip-top condition though.

The bike takes several goes to start? There is a problem, may be minor, may be a symptom of problems looming...

Leader engines have poor generating capacity - often down to one or more useless magnets. Best to upgrade from 7AH to 12AH batteries if they will fit and use a battery tender. Do not fit high current usage add-ons like heated grips. GPS etc is fine of course. Also remember that poor starting/cold running on a Leader engine can just be tight valve clearances - this was sorted years ago, but some DIY owners may not have heard...

Quasars can deliver more current from their set - so heated grips are OK, but again upgrading the battery helps with starting and a battery tender is advised, but not as essential.

Master engines have plenty of spare capacity - but this has its own problems, cables and connections burn out if there is even a tiny fault. Check the battery frequently, consistent low levels of electrolyte mean the regulator is faulty - loss of capacity within a few weeks of non-use is another symptom. However these are robust enough that frequent topping up with de-ionised water and use of a battery tender can cope with a faulty regulator for a while - but just be aware of the possible consequences.

E&OE of course...

Good Luck with it & let us know how you make out.

Regards
Harvey

OP Ronseal UTC details Enthusiast Vespa LX50 2t Joined: UTC Posts: 89 Location: Bedfordshire
OP Ronseal Enthusiast Vespa LX50 2t Joined: UTC Posts: 89 Location: Bedfordshire	UTC quote hi, yeah, only a 10 min run in the morning and afternoon. Not sure how old battery is as I only bought the moped last week. The lights etc work ok. It cant be the starter motor can it?...or does that sound different? Cheers R

Harvey

UTC

details

Ossessionato

2016 Honda NC750XD, 2007 GTS (sold),

Joined: UTC
Posts: 3517
Location: Canada

Harvey

Ossessionato

2016 Honda NC750XD, 2007 GTS (sold),

Joined: UTC
Posts: 3517
Location: Canada

UTC quote

The battery is an easy fix; just get a battery tender & top it up each night. A battery tender is inexpensive and is money well spent. Even if it doesn't fix your problem, its useful to keep your batteries healthy & they'll last longer properly maintained.

It could be your starter needs a cleaning, but that's more work. Try the battery first, if that doesn't do it, get into the more complex stuff.

Regards
Harvey

OP Ronseal UTC details Enthusiast Vespa LX50 2t Joined: UTC Posts: 89 Location: Bedfordshire
OP Ronseal Enthusiast Vespa LX50 2t Joined: UTC Posts: 89 Location: Bedfordshire	UTC quote Whats a 'battery tender'? Is that what we call a battery charger over here in the UK? R

Harvey

UTC

details

Ossessionato

2016 Honda NC750XD, 2007 GTS (sold),

Joined: UTC
Posts: 3517
Location: Canada

Harvey

Ossessionato

2016 Honda NC750XD, 2007 GTS (sold),

Joined: UTC
Posts: 3517
Location: Canada

UTC quote

It's a low power charger that shuts off once the battery is charged.
It might be called a trickle charger.
You can plug it in overnight (or overwinter), to keep the battery charged.
Here's a popular one
http://batterytender.com/default.php?cPath=11_3&osCsid=aa0cc8003a9b27a170d5beb66c3ee74e
but most auto/motorcycle shops sell something similar.

Once a battery is completely drained, it slowly dies.
Good luck with it!

Regards
Harvey

OP Ronseal UTC details Enthusiast Vespa LX50 2t Joined: UTC Posts: 89 Location: Bedfordshire
OP Ronseal Enthusiast Vespa LX50 2t Joined: UTC Posts: 89 Location: Bedfordshire	UTC quote Me again - got a new battery. So far, so good. Still not always firing first time, but its def an improvement. Maybe once battery is fully charged it should be better - Only charged it for about 4 hrs - was itching to get it going and put my mind at ease. Gonna get a new spark plug too, just to be sure as dont know how old the present one is. Cheers R

Harvey UTC details Ossessionato 2016 Honda NC750XD, 2007 GTS (sold), Joined: UTC Posts: 3517 Location: Canada
Harvey Ossessionato 2016 Honda NC750XD, 2007 GTS (sold), Joined: UTC Posts: 3517 Location: Canada	UTC quote Good News! Try this starting method & see if it helps; https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic452?highlight=et4+starting+method#4414 Regards Harvey

AY001 UTC details Member et4 Joined: UTC Posts: 15
AY001 Member et4 Joined: UTC Posts: 15	UTC quote Try this... Also have had starting problems, specially in the morning. When I try to start my et4 it usually kicks over 2nd or 3rd go. Try giving the throttle 3 quick ones' before starting. It worked for me this morning. It started first go. I've been told that the carb can dry up and by doing this, it allows some gas in and assists in the starting.

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