OP
@coley avatar
UTC

Addicted
'83 PX125E (little Red) / '09 Fuoco (unnamed)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 762
Location: Toronto
 
Addicted
@coley avatar
'83 PX125E (little Red) / '09 Fuoco (unnamed)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 762
Location: Toronto
UTC quote
Riding back home after visiting my parents last night, I'm puttering at about 100km/hr in the right hand land of the QEW. As I come up behind a minivan who was stradling the lane markers I went to flash my high beams to wake him up and choose a lane.

I hit the flash, and all of a sudden the headlights shut off, the dash goes dark, suspension lock light starts beeping, ignition cuts out and I start coasting at highway speed. Was able to turn on the flashers and cut over to the shoulder safely (but scared the hell out of my GF on the back)

By the time I had slowed to a stop the engine had restarted itself (clutch still engaged I guess).

I tried the headlight flash once again at the side of the road - which seemed as good as hitting the kill switch. So I shut the ignition off altogether, gave it a 5-count and restarted it again and everything seemed back to normal.

Anyone had this happen before? Suffice to say I'll get Blackie back to the dealer for a quick check sometime soon. Would an event like this be captured in the ECU?
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44533
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44533
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
Not heard of that! What mods, if any have been done to the lights and or circuitry? Did switching to high-beam (rather than flashing) produce the same effect?

The ECU may well have recorded some fault - but this is a strange one!
OP
@coley avatar
UTC

Addicted
'83 PX125E (little Red) / '09 Fuoco (unnamed)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 762
Location: Toronto
 
Addicted
@coley avatar
'83 PX125E (little Red) / '09 Fuoco (unnamed)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 762
Location: Toronto
UTC quote
jimc wrote:
Not heard of that! What mods, if any have been done to the lights and or circuitry? Did switching to high-beam (rather than flashing) produce the same effect?

The ECU may well have recorded some fault - but this is a strange one!
No major mods to speak of. Electrically I've only put LED's in place of the brake lights. Switching on the high beams yielded nothing strange, and flashing the high beams now does nothing unusual.

I had it in the shop recently for the 3,000km service. They replaced the rollers, and sorted out a small problem with the kill switch - unrelated I believe. The kill switch was very sensitive before - pressing it towards the 'run' position would result in an ignition cut out. Now the kill switch functions fine.
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44533
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44533
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
All I can think of is a dodgy connection to frame somewhere - and that *might* be related to the original kill-switch problem.
OP
@coley avatar
UTC

Addicted
'83 PX125E (little Red) / '09 Fuoco (unnamed)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 762
Location: Toronto
 
Addicted
@coley avatar
'83 PX125E (little Red) / '09 Fuoco (unnamed)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 762
Location: Toronto
UTC quote
Just tried it again for kicks. Started it on the stand, and as soon as I flashed the high-beams it stalled. (Had been sitting unused ~16 hours)

Tried to replicate it a 2nd time just now and everything is working fine again.

All other controls functioning normally.
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44533
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44533
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
Please try again sometime - but switching to high-beam proper rather than using the 'flash'.
@heavyduti avatar
UTC

Hooked
MP3 500 Black
Joined: UTC
Posts: 211
Location: Toronto
 
Hooked
@heavyduti avatar
MP3 500 Black
Joined: UTC
Posts: 211
Location: Toronto
UTC quote
I didn't know there was another 500 in TMSC.

I had a complete electrical failure after Stebel horn installation at 50 km/h or so on University in the dark. The mechanic forgot to up-size the fuse.

Just a thought with your LEDs although you would think the fuse would blow.
UTC

Banned
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2919
 
Banned
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2919
UTC quote
heavyduti wrote:
I didn't know there was another 500 in TMSC.

I had a complete electrical failure after Stebel horn installation at 50 km/h or so on University in the dark. The mechanic forgot to up-size the fuse.

Just a thought with your LEDs although you would think the fuse would blow.
Up size what fuse? The Stebel should be on it's own circuit and not fused to anything that would shut the engine off.

Wayne B
@heavyduti avatar
UTC

Hooked
MP3 500 Black
Joined: UTC
Posts: 211
Location: Toronto
 
Hooked
@heavyduti avatar
MP3 500 Black
Joined: UTC
Posts: 211
Location: Toronto
UTC quote
He changed out the 15 for a 20 for the horn.
OP
@coley avatar
UTC

Addicted
'83 PX125E (little Red) / '09 Fuoco (unnamed)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 762
Location: Toronto
 
Addicted
@coley avatar
'83 PX125E (little Red) / '09 Fuoco (unnamed)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 762
Location: Toronto
UTC quote
jimc wrote:
Please try again sometime - but switching to high-beam proper rather than using the 'flash'.
to regain the thread-jack... tried it again tonight, albeit only a few hours since the last go. All good. Tried the high-beam ON first, then back to normal and then flash... all good.

Will try it again in the morning. If it happens again I'll book another service appointment. If not, it can wait for the Winter storage & service.
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44533
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44533
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
OK - whatever if it's OK on high-beam but but not on flash (if that happens) could be a clue with standard wiring. Just a clue mind, different circuits involved.
@toronto40 avatar
UTC

Member
MP3 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 23
Location: Toronto
 
Member
@toronto40 avatar
MP3 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 23
Location: Toronto
UTC quote
Re: Stall Freakout on the Highway
Coley wrote:
Riding back home after visiting my parents last night, I'm puttering at about 100km/hr in the right hand land of the QEW. As I come up behind a minivan who was stradling the lane markers I went to flash my high beams to wake him up and choose a lane.

I hit the flash, and all of a sudden the headlights shut off, the dash goes dark, suspension lock light starts beeping, ignition cuts out and I start coasting at highway speed. Was able to turn on the flashers and cut over to the shoulder safely (but scared the hell out of my GF on the back)

By the time I had slowed to a stop the engine had restarted itself (clutch still engaged I guess).

I tried the headlight flash once again at the side of the road - which seemed as good as hitting the kill switch. So I shut the ignition off altogether, gave it a 5-count and restarted it again and everything seemed back to normal.

Anyone had this happen before? Suffice to say I'll get Blackie back to the dealer for a quick check sometime soon. Would an event like this be captured in the ECU?
I had a similar problem over the weekend and it turned out that my battery wire was loose. I had put some lights on my bike and did not tighten it back properly. You might want to check that out.
OP
@coley avatar
UTC

Addicted
'83 PX125E (little Red) / '09 Fuoco (unnamed)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 762
Location: Toronto
 
Addicted
@coley avatar
'83 PX125E (little Red) / '09 Fuoco (unnamed)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 762
Location: Toronto
UTC quote
Re: Stall Freakout on the Highway
Toronto40 wrote:
I had a similar problem over the weekend and it turned out that my battery wire was loose. I had put some lights on my bike and did not tighten it back properly. You might want to check that out.
Interesting suggestion, so I went out and checked. Unfortunately the battery connections are all good and tight.

On an up-note - no issues today. Everything working normally.
@noth avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Burgman 650 (May, 2012) MP3 500 (11/2009 - 5.2012)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1385
Location: Massachusetts- Boston South Shore
 
Molto Verboso
@noth avatar
Burgman 650 (May, 2012) MP3 500 (11/2009 - 5.2012)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1385
Location: Massachusetts- Boston South Shore
UTC quote
Too bad.. I think I would prefer to have it happen consistently so I could fix it and for get about it.. Obviously a short somewhere.

I used to have a 30' boat.. took good care of it and went nuts when things weren't right. When you are out at night, of course you have to have running lights so other boats could see you.. Mine were fine, then all of a sudden would go out.. the fuse would blow.. after a while I realized the fuse would only blow when it was raining or the humidity was high.. after about 20 hours I traced it to one little worn wire that got crimped when they put the bow pulpit on the boat 13 years earlier.. Of course to get to it, I had to practically dismantle the boat but I got it fixed.

Your issue may require some good detective work..
@toronto40 avatar
UTC

Member
MP3 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 23
Location: Toronto
 
Member
@toronto40 avatar
MP3 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 23
Location: Toronto
UTC quote
Re: Stall Freakout on the Highway
Coley wrote:
Toronto40 wrote:
I had a similar problem over the weekend and it turned out that my battery wire was loose. I had put some lights on my bike and did not tighten it back properly. You might want to check that out.
Interesting suggestion, so I went out and checked. Unfortunately the battery connections are all good and tight.

On an up-note - no issues today. Everything working normally.
I would love to see you at our meetup on Fridays at Dundas and Kipling. Their is a couple of mp3 riders their. Were you riding on Dundas near downtown on Saturday? I waived at someone on a mp3 500. Our meetup on on the TMSC calelnder.
OP
@coley avatar
UTC

Addicted
'83 PX125E (little Red) / '09 Fuoco (unnamed)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 762
Location: Toronto
 
Addicted
@coley avatar
'83 PX125E (little Red) / '09 Fuoco (unnamed)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 762
Location: Toronto
UTC quote
Re: Stall Freakout on the Highway
Toronto40 wrote:
Coley wrote:
Toronto40 wrote:
I had a similar problem over the weekend and it turned out that my battery wire was loose. I had put some lights on my bike and did not tighten it back properly. You might want to check that out.
Interesting suggestion, so I went out and checked. Unfortunately the battery connections are all good and tight.

On an up-note - no issues today. Everything working normally.
I would love to see you at our meetup on Fridays at Dundas and Kipling. Their is a couple of mp3 riders their. Were you riding on Dundas near downtown on Saturday? I waived at someone on a mp3 500. Our meetup on on the TMSC calelnder.
Yeah, that was you? I was heading downtown to meet up with the GF and head out to dinner. I'm up in Roncesvalles.

I honestly try to make it out to some of the TMSC or Mad Cat rides, but haven't been able to in some time. Friday nights are usually date nights - the little woman tends to be working most other nights during the week. I've made it to a couple of the Lakeshore Timmies nights, but other than that, not much. I'll try and make it out this Friday if the weather is decent. What's the location at Dundas & Kipling?
@toronto40 avatar
UTC

Member
MP3 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 23
Location: Toronto
 
Member
@toronto40 avatar
MP3 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 23
Location: Toronto
UTC quote
Re: Stall Freakout on the Highway
Coley wrote:
Toronto40 wrote:
Coley wrote:
Toronto40 wrote:
I had a similar problem over the weekend and it turned out that my battery wire was loose. I had put some lights on my bike and did not tighten it back properly. You might want to check that out.
Interesting suggestion, so I went out and checked. Unfortunately the battery connections are all good and tight.

On an up-note - no issues today. Everything working normally.
I would love to see you at our meetup on Fridays at Dundas and Kipling. Their is a couple of mp3 riders their. Were you riding on Dundas near downtown on Saturday? I waived at someone on a mp3 500. Our meetup on on the TMSC calelnder.
Yeah, that was you? I was heading downtown to meet up with the GF and head out to dinner. I'm up in Roncesvalles.

I honestly try to make it out to some of the TMSC or Mad Cat rides, but haven't been able to in some time. Friday nights are usually date nights - the little woman tends to be working most other nights during the week. I've made it to a couple of the Lakeshore Timmies nights, but other than that, not much. I'll try and make it out this Friday if the weather is decent. What's the location at Dundas & Kipling?
Yea that was me. Right accross the street from the Kipling Subway or just past the Shoppers drug mart. Its just west of Kipling. Its a Wendy's and Timmies combined. I hope to get a group ride of MP3 riders next summer. Im under Chris on The TMSC website. Add me to your friends list. I hope you can make it on Firday

Cheers
UTC

Addicted
GTV250 GTS 300!! MP3 500, Lambretta TV200 S3 77 07 Aprilia Tuono 1000R 64 Vespa Vbb150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 620
Location: Los Angeles/San Diego
 
Addicted
GTV250 GTS 300!! MP3 500, Lambretta TV200 S3 77 07 Aprilia Tuono 1000R 64 Vespa Vbb150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 620
Location: Los Angeles/San Diego
UTC quote
Why not take it to the dealer to find out if there are any stored errors on the ECU? Everyones advice here is great and all but the dealer should have the scan tool to root out any errors with the ECU.


Jon
⬆️    About 3 months elapsed    ⬇️
OP
@coley avatar
UTC

Addicted
'83 PX125E (little Red) / '09 Fuoco (unnamed)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 762
Location: Toronto
 
Addicted
@coley avatar
'83 PX125E (little Red) / '09 Fuoco (unnamed)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 762
Location: Toronto
UTC quote
Quick update as I've been living with these issues until the bike goes into storage at the dealer within the next few weeks.

Past issue - very touchy kill-switch was remedied.

Current issues (all can be replicated with a cold-start)
1) Turn key on, sometimes the dashboard will not initialize, initial 'beep' sounds sickly
2) Hit the starter - sometimes the dash will go blank, then re-initialize. Often not even a click or other noise from the starter. After a few tries the starter finally kicks in.
3) Once started, the first time if you flash the high-beams the bike will stall/die. After that, it's fine until the next cold-start.
4) Occasionally the low-beams will not work at all, unless the headlight switch is pushed towards the center of the handle bars, high beams still work.

All of the above sounds like electrical - possibly the key-switch, and likely the starter relay or other relays. The battery is not dead, or low on its charge - it is holding a full charge. (attach a tender and it switches to green after 5-10 minutes). Battery connections are tight and show no corrosion.

Other than all that, the 500 is riding fine, not stalling on it's own, signals and brake lights OK, and other than riding home from work with my high beams on a couple times it's still a blast.
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44533
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44533
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
You definitely have a poor connection to the battery somewhere along the line. Check the negative to frame connection, and also the positive to starter relay. Now would be a good time to check that the starter relay connections are in good condition, especially the 'hidden' fuse - though this won't be causing your current symptoms as you report the battery is well-charged.
@old_as_dirt avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22815
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@old_as_dirt avatar
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22815
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
UTC quote
still could be a bad battery. sometimes a battery tender will give you a reading of a full charge even if 1 cell is going bad. Check the fluid level in it and ensure it is to the proper full mark on the side.
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44533
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44533
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
Indeedy - it could be a high-resistance connection between two cells. I've had that in the past. Voltage reads good except when high current is drawn. Coley, what voltage does the battery dip to when you attempt to start?
OP
@coley avatar
UTC

Addicted
'83 PX125E (little Red) / '09 Fuoco (unnamed)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 762
Location: Toronto
 
Addicted
@coley avatar
'83 PX125E (little Red) / '09 Fuoco (unnamed)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 762
Location: Toronto
UTC quote
jimc wrote:
Indeedy - it could be a high-resistance connection between two cells. I've had that in the past. Voltage reads good except when high current is drawn. Coley, what voltage does the battery dip to when you attempt to start?
Ahhhhhh I was hoping I wouldn't have to pull out my own tools. Righto... will have to check it Sunday - too many errands until then and the sun goes down early this time of year.
⬆️    About 1 month elapsed    ⬇️
OP
@coley avatar
UTC

Addicted
'83 PX125E (little Red) / '09 Fuoco (unnamed)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 762
Location: Toronto
 
Addicted
@coley avatar
'83 PX125E (little Red) / '09 Fuoco (unnamed)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 762
Location: Toronto
UTC quote
Quick check - Finally having my beast picked up for Winter storage next week.

Long story short - ignition switch is jammed. Can't get the key out, can't turn it to the 'On' position... it's like it's suck in the position to open the underseat or fuel hatch. Unknown if the battery is live or not... so mildly fubar until a tech can look at the switch.

Parked on the center stand currently, unknown if the suspension lock is engaged or not. Rear end is on flat ground, front is on a side slope... so when we take it off the stand, it's going to be leaning over as soon as it's on flat ground.

Any way to disengage the suspension lock manually or semi-manually if required? I mean manually as in hotwiring, or unbolting something... not the standard 3-click on the handlebar switch.

Yarrrr.
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44533
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44533
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
The ring around the ignition switch has little tabs that hold it in place. These can break off, especially if the bike has hit something (even quite gently) and jam underneath it so the ring can't seat fully down. This can jam the key in certain positions.

If the ring is like this, then one option is to break it right off - they are cheap to replace.

It might also have rotated a bit, and therefore come out from its seating - you can check for this by ensuring the writing around the edge is in the right position.
UTC

Member
Gilera Fuoco 500ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 13
Location: Manila Philippines
 
Member
Gilera Fuoco 500ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 13
Location: Manila Philippines
UTC quote
Re: Stall Freakout on the Highway
Coley wrote:
Riding back home after visiting my parents last night, I'm puttering at about 100km/hr in the right hand land of the QEW. As I come up behind a minivan who was stradling the lane markers I went to flash my high beams to wake him up and choose a lane.

I hit the flash, and all of a sudden the headlights shut off, the dash goes dark, suspension lock light starts beeping, ignition cuts out and I start coasting at highway speed. Was able to turn on the flashers and cut over to the shoulder safely (but scared the hell out of my GF on the back)

By the time I had slowed to a stop the engine had restarted itself (clutch still engaged I guess).

I tried the headlight flash once again at the side of the road - which seemed as good as hitting the kill switch. So I shut the ignition off altogether, gave it a 5-count and restarted it again and everything seemed back to normal.

Anyone had this happen before? Suffice to say I'll get Blackie back to the dealer for a quick check sometime soon. Would an event like this be captured in the ECU?
the same thing happened to me. I was riding with my wife in an uphill when suddenly the engine stalled. My lights remained on however, all the warning lights such as the oil preasure, park brake, etc where lighted up. I pulled to the side of the road and succesfuly restarted the engine in one try. I did not know what happened or what caused the sudden loss of power. I just hope it will not happen again, most specially in a freeway Wha? emoticon
DoubleGood Design banner

Modern Vespa is the premier site for modern Vespa and Piaggio scooters. Vespa GTS300, GTS250, GTV, GT200, LX150, LXS, ET4, ET2, MP3, Fuoco, Elettrica and more.

Buy Me A Coffee
 

Shop on Amazon with Modern Vespa

Modern Vespa is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com


All Content Copyright 2005-2025 by Modern Vespa.
All Rights Reserved.


[ Time: 0.0245s ][ Queries: 3 (0.0093s) ][ live ][ 323 ][ ThingOne ]