Modern Vespa

I have been trying to find any older posts that may have reported the same problem. GTV125 ignition switch seems to have what loooks like some type of sticky substance coming from it when i hit the ignition to start it up, this morning after pressing it, it made more of a whirring noise a few times before finally starting and looked like what i can only visibly explain as small amounts of gunge!

Its already had its first service but still seems to have the same problem.

Ive also been having difficulty getting it going from just hitting the ignition switch and 9 out of 10 times generally have to use a little bit of throttle to get it going is this normal. scoots only 3 months old and just wondering if there is anything i should try to do differently?

Sorry to sound 'grumpy' (really!) but is the 'it' in the above all the same thing, the ignition switch where you put your key? If so it doesn't jar with my understanding of reality...

I think I know what you mean, but without more accurate descriptions it'd be hard to advise.

I can't help you on the "grunge", but the whirring sound is a common problem that many of have, especially in cooler weather. On my LX150 it has just started up again after working fine all summer. The weather here has gotten down into the low 60s F./15-20 C. What is happening is that the bendix doesn't want to "throw out" possibly due to some thickened lubricant on the shaft, or maybe due to the battery being a little low. I've seen several posts and several threads about this but no one has had a really good solution. Also, most seem to just "live with it" as their scooter doesn't actually fail to start; it just takes a few extra "hits" on the starter button. Here are a couple threads that address this issue:

Sticky bendix
Starter spinning (UPDATE)
After just One year still love my LX150

As to the throttle, I've always had to give mine a little to start up. I tried increasing the idle speed and it seemed to help, but then the idle speed was too high and I backed it back down. I was wondering myself if adjusting the fuel mixture on the carb might help, but I haven't tried that.
If you're interested in trying that, here is a helpful article:

https://modernvespa.com/forum/wiki-carburettor-mixture-adjustment

It really hasn't been that much of an issue for me. I'm used to twisting a little to start up, rev it a little, then let go and it keeps running.

Thanks for the advice Danny and apologies Jim its the starter switch....I'm one finger typing and half asleep at the moment from quite a long ride out today so not a great combination

I did see the hyper link about adjusting the mixture and thought that might be something i should look into although i'm not technically gifted in this area and did not want to balls anything up.

The gunge looks a bit like glue.

Maybe some water got into the switch - but it *should* be just fine. The GTV switch is different to some others. so I don't know if it can be prised open and cleaned. Others might be able to advise.

At this time of year many people find their batteries aren't in the best of condition - we are entering the 'duff battery post' months. So look to that first. Get an Optimate battery tender if you can hook it up conveniently once or twice a week - this should see you OK.

+1 on the Battery Tender. I think they are well worth having. I have the Deltran Battery Tender Junior and use it daily in cold weather "just in case." However, it did nothing as far as I can tell regarding the "sticky bendix."

True - but without a tip-top battery you can't be certain if it's a sticky bendix or a non-optimal battery. If a fully charged battery doesn't throw the bendix out, then you know the bendix needs to be cleaned/replaced. Only then.

Absolutely. And as I understand it, the "smart" chargers like the Optimate or Deltran will actually extend the life of your battery without overcharging or damaging it in any way. "One of these days" I'm going to open mine up and look at that bendix myself. Yeah, "one of these days."