Modern Vespa

My check engine light on my Vespa GTV has been coming on. I checked my oil and it seemed fine. Any ideas on what could be the problem. I have been riding in hot weather during Amerivespa so that could be adding to it.

Others that have reported this symptom have disconnected the Evap Canister system............the problem then went away. It's caused by pressure building in the gas tank due to poor venting by the canister system. Sometimes, stalling and hard starting are also associated with this problem............ but not always.

If you want to disconnect or remove it, here's the instructions. It only takes a few minutes. How to remove or disconnect the Evap Sys. from GTS/GTV

Another common reason for the light coming on is a faulty voltage regulator. The regulator fails allowing too much voltage to come from the stator. This shows as a fault on the CEL. You can check this by putting a voltmeter across the battery. If you get more than 14.5v at medium revs then you have a problem.

The cause of the error is stored in the ECU's historical fault buffer. If your dealer has a shop, they may read it for you as a courtesy. That would point directly to the problem.

Not good to have a dealer that doesn't have a shop!

I think he meant workshop. Not all dealers have them...

Yeah your best bet would be to go to the dealer to check the error code, or buy a machine yourself (they're pricey, though... About $200 - $250)...

It could be a very wide spectrum of things. When my header pipe broke, the light came on as well...

Bumpstart, if I'm not mistaken I read in another thread you are riding alone, returning to Portland from Amerivespa. If the trouble continues I hope you have contacts along your route so that you can get help if necessary; if not, maybe you can post a location and someone on MV can be of help to you.

Yes; workshop.

The diagnostic tool is a bit spendy, but it's a great toy!

Hi it's Karen G. I'm taking off from Lubbock today and heading north to Amarillo (Big Texan & Cadillac Ranch) via I-27. Taking 40 into New Mexico. Hope to make it to Sante Fe tonight.

If any scooterists are in the New Mexico area along I -40, PM me or email me at bumpstart@me.com. I'm also on twitter as Bumpstart.

Thanks
Karen

Regarding the two possible problems XLR8 and DougL mentioned:
The evap system back-pressure isn't too serious - you can temporarily "relieve" that problem by loosening the gas cap to vent the tank.
The voltage regulator would be more serious - that would need to be fixed soon.

Thinking it might be gas overflow. Will try the gas cap trick.
Thanks!

I presumed that was what he meant. I do not know of a factory dealer around here for Vespa, Sym, Kymco, Yamaha, Buddy, Stella or Honda scooters that does not do maintenance and repair work. What kind of "dealer" would you be if you were unable to do warranty work? (answer - not one I would ever purchase a new scooter from)

If that works, it will be time to do the evap system disconnect. As XLR8 said, it is quite simple. If done with just the disconnects, it can be reconnected any time you choose.