Modern Vespa

So I came to the end of my 1400-mile road trip, reached the end of the freeway offramp and stopped for the red light.  The engined stalled and now will not start.

The starter cranks, and air puffs out the tail pipe when it does.  Attempting to start sounds and feels exactly as normal aside from the lack of ignition.  Using the master key makes no difference.  The spark plug wire is securely attached to the spark plug, and all twelve fuses are intact. (There's apparently a hidden fuse?  I haven't yet searched for forum for it but will do so directly.)

There is no smell of gas (that I'd expect from a failed fuel pump, right?), so I'm thinking no spark.  A pinched or grounded wire somewhere?  The ECU hates me?

My friend Erik points out that we have not yet tried dancing around it naked shouting "LIVE!!!"

Failing user-feasible troubleshooting, AAA will tow the bike up to 100 miles.  Any suggestions of SoCal Piaggio/Vespa shops that might be in reach of Moreno Valley?

Update: Vespa Sherman Oaks is within towing reach.  Best I can tell by Google and phone, it seems Vespa Riverside has ceased to exist...?

Hi lostboy,

Wow, that really sucks. But glad you made it safely...not sure how far Newport Beach is from you, but give them a call and see what they can do. The number is (949) 631-5105. Best of luck and I hope that it's nothing serious.

Barry

Hello Lostboy,

I agree with Barry. I think Newport Beach would be closer. Ask for Mike.

Best.

No spark & it cranks you should smell gas. I'm thinking you have no gas. Pull the spark plug wire and ground the end with a screwdriver & crank it. That'll tell you if you have spark.

Does the fuel pump on the MP3 spool up when you turn on the key? (asking because I've never started one) If it does and you have spark I'd start looking at fuel filter or other fuel line blockage.

Good luck & I hope it's something really simple.

Have you tried the kill switch, flip it off and on a few times?

Wayne B

Malcom Smith Motorsports, in Riverside, is a Vespa/Piaggio dealer....
7599 Indiana Ave, Riverside, CA 92504 (951) 687-1300

They have a full service shop. I think they actually are Vespa Riverside.

Go for Malcom Smith. Don't think Newport has a tech yet, they just opened. I own Sherman Oaks but it is pretty far from you. I am sure it's a quick fix, good luck on that and a safe continued journey.

SDG

Actually, I heard that Newport Beach has a tech from the Piaggio Tech Center.

I speak with the owner pretty frequently and the most recent quote is "I am working there by myself". Nobody from Tech has moved over their, believe me. HE can certainly call after 11:30 when they open today.

Just trying to help the guy.

Cheerio,
SDG

Ahhh....I just had my MP3 Serviced from Newport. They had a tech. When the person states "I am working there by myself." I think he means in the show room.

Lostboy, It is your call on which dealer you would like to go with. I am pretty sure that all three will be able to fix the problem. keep us posted.

Best.

have you tried fidling with the cut off switch?

Wrong. That may well be the problem - or at least a failed hose from the pump to the next bit in line.

However you have committed the cardinal sin of not reporting whether the immobiliser LED is giving you the right feedback...

Indeed, after further poking and prodding and the input of more knowledgeable friends, suspicion has turned to the fuel system.  After sitting for a day, the bike did actually start and run for several seconds before dying again.  There was talk of checking the fuel filter, but it seems from the shop manual to be an operation beyond my skills and facilities.

Vespa Riverside showed up in my googling but not in the local yellow pages, and the phone number I found online is an out-of-date, disconnected number.  I'm glad if they're still open (and embarrassed to have not found a current phone number).

In any event, it turns out that VSO is not far from other friends I'm visiting near Pasadena, so I had the bike towed there today.  (And I got to speak on the phone with someone I've seen post on MV, the very friendly Drew Teague.  It was like meeting a celebrity.)

Tuesday is the earliest I might learn any more.  I'll keep hoping it is something simple. It never occurred to me that the immobiliser LED conveyed any message other than "stealing this bike will be troublesome."  I feel stupid now.

lostboy - what's the latest word on your dilemma?

You still have a lot of scootin' to get home yet...

As of last night, VSO had her running after disconnecting the seat sensor but was still sorting out multiple error codes from the computer. I'm told an extended test ride is first order of business for today.  Once more is known, I'll need to make some decisions about how much time and money to spend and where to land on the spectrum between rideable and good-as-new.

If I don't get Windy back this afternoon, then I'll go back to staying with friends in Moreno Valley (about 90 min. inland) since my Pasadena friends are off to attend a 4-day convention in San Diego today.  I'll need to catch a bus around 15:30 to get to VSO or Moreno Valley either one, so I'll call for the latest a little before then.

I had to look in the ol' handbook to find out what jimc was referring to regarding the LED.

For what it's worth....

Immobilizerdevice enabled indicator led (01_19)
Activation of the "PIAGGIO IMMOBILIZER" system is signalled by a flashing «A»
indicator. In order to reduce battery discharge, the indicator LED turns off automatically
after 48 hours of uninterrupted functioning. Should the system fail, different LED flashing
patterns will provide the Authorised Service Centre with information on the type
of fault detected.

And the number of times it flashes and the sequence mean something too.

Wayne B

Exactly. It is also a simple diagnostic signal for the immobiliser system. All in the manuals.
http://www.wotmeworry.org.uk/manuals/Piaggio%20MP3/MP3%20250/

I have my MP3 back, and she is running and happy.  Turns out a bad seat sensor was to blame, and a replacement seat cured the problem.

It has to be said that Drew and company at VSO worked much harder than they had to to get me back on the road so that I could return home to Seattle.  They have my gratitude in a big way.

Well that's good news, for all practical purposes. I just wish we could expect some level of reliability with these machines like one might with a car. At least its good to have dealers that really follow thru with customer service.

Have a safe journey home!

Hey lostboy, when you get a chance can you provide some feedback on the actual road trip? What were the hard parts for the 250, the best points of the ride, things you would do differently, etc. Thanks!

A bad seat sensor wouldn't have stopped it starting. It would make unlocking the tilt-lock a manual affair though, and without doing that the bike wouldn't have revved enough to take off.

Will do!  As soon as I'm home and not typing on an iPod Touch.

That's what I thought as well.  I confess I was happy enough to not be stranded anymore that I didn't ask many questions.

Fair enough. It might well be that a short on the sensor might provoke some problem we've not heard of before.

Jim

Well now we have ! Codes clear and bike is rolling which is great news.

SDG

Glad you're here. Was the sensor short? I'm intrigued it could prevent starting, and would like to know more. Take it to PM by all means if you wish.

BTW, great work getting it going again so quickly, customer service at its best.

Jimc,

I will have to ask the boys when I am down there but I am pretty sure tech was in on this also. My guys are certainly sharp, if you have never met Martin you would LOVE him, all business, no play. Old school.

Anyway, will see what I can dig up down there, I know there were lots of codes going and the seat sensor shorting was part of it.

Best,
SDG

Thanks - will keep my eyes and ears open for further clue.

Didn't get to him today for a post game report, they were slammed when I arrived and it didn't end until they left.

SDG

Whatever - I hope your guys think it is worth passing on their newly-gleaned info when they have the time and the inclination.

Knowing how these problem-solving things can evolve, it might seem a muddle at first.

Hi,
I'm contemplating a slightly abbreviated version of your trip on my mp3, from the Bay Area down to LA. Any suggestions on the route? (I-5 is not my cup of anything).
Cheers

I am in So. Cal but ride up in Central California a lot. My suggestion would be Highway 1 from Carmel. If you are inland you can take Carmel Valley Road from the 101 to Hwy 1 (this is one of the best roads!). Take Hwy 1 back to 101 in San Luis Obispo. 101 to 166, 166 to Tepesquet Canyon Road (very small back country road) to Foxen Canyon Road. Foxen Canyon Road to Hwy 154 into Santa Barbara. From Santa Barbara you can to Hwy 150 into Ojai then continue over to Hwy 126 near Filmore. Take 126 East to I-5 South at Magic Mountain. Take the I-5 South to the 210 East to Hwy 2 (Angles Crest Hwy). Take Hwy 2 all the way to Hwy 138 to Victorville. I-15 to where ever you want to go.

If you go during the cooler months you could also do 166 to Hwy 33 to Ojai and then jump on Hwy 150 to Filmore. We came thru there a week ago and it was 119 degrees on Hwy 166 so not so good in summer.

The route I use maximizes turns per mile. If you just want to get there in a straight line might want to try a different route.

Cheers,
Jill