Modern Vespa

Starter Relay Switch i.e: relay in engine compartment.

Well I have been having starting issues, hit the starter switch sometimes and just get a "Click, Click" from the engine compartment. Been meaning to test it, but it's just been to damn hot.
It was cool enough this weekend and I tested it, took all of 10 min. Test power on hot side of switch, have power at all time as it should. Move lead to starter side of relay, no power as it should be, hit start switch, of course now it's working fine. Try a few more times and failure, no power on starter side of relay. Test a little more and it is the Starter Relay Switch (Relay in engine compartment) is going bad.
Go on line to order one and no one has one in stock. So, I always say, "Google Is Your Best Friend For Searching"
Do search for "MR5 Starter Relay" and it comes up with Honda motorcycles that use this relay. Call around to see if any Honda dealer has one in stock, no luck. But the Piaggio part is $48, while the Honda part is $98
So, who has complained about Piaggio part prices? Go by a Rice Burner and parts are even more expensive

Anyway, anyone have a MR5 Starter relay they want to loan me to take on vacation with me as an insurance policy my won't stop working

check with motorsportwest they might have something or vespa sherman oaks.

Thought about that, but that would involve over night shipping and would get real pricey.
Taking a pair of electrification pliers with me to jump start it if needed. They seem just right for jump across the leads

I have to stop multi tasking, subject changed from the host name of the server I was working on, to what the subject is about

It's a relay. There are two things to go wrong - coil and contacts. Coils are go-no-go, it dies it no worky at all. Contacts can get burned. Get a fine file and file the contacts. Then get a burnishing tool from somplace like Harbor Freight or Garingers and polish them. Failing that a real fine wet sandpaper will work. If it's in a can you just pry open the little metal indents that hold it on, plastic snaps or maybe glued - doesn't matter they ALL come apart.
If you're unsure take a photo and I'll look at it.

This guy's in North Carolina and has one cheap...

http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/artandmotorcycles/items/Honda_ST1100_starter_relay_MR5

I cut the housing all the way around with my dremel tool and still couldn't pry the casing off. Didn't want to completely break it so gave up and taped it back together.
It clicks every time, so I am hoping it's dirty contacts that will last for one more week and a day. I may stop at some Honda dealer while out riding a see if I can find one or maybe I can find a motorcycle junk yard.

Saw that yesterday, but 3 days till they ship, won't work, I leave on Thursday night.

Edited:
Well, just called Dan and he said he can ship it out tomorrow priority mail, which should get it here Weds or Thurs at the latest, which works perfect.
Thanks BubbaJon.
I should have called him Saturday and I would have had it tomorrow

You definitely had me wondering.

So when you get it you can disassemble that old one and see what the issue is. I'm very curious...

how many miles on it? just for referance.

25,000 miles.
It does get a lot of stop and go at work, running from data center to data center. I just took a bicycle to work to ride it between the closer data centers.

guess we could establish a time line to change the starter relay around 20k miles then! This is data we all need to remember.

Guess I'm 14,000 miles overdue.

its not mileage that kills the switch or telay it is cycles of it. If you cycle them more than someone else well you mileage will vary. look at it this way if you start and stop you scoot every mile and the next guy does the same every 100 miles at the end of 10,000 miles there is a huge difference in cycles on the realy or switches. So to me mileage you can just throw that out the door for relays and switches.

Exactly, and like I said, lots of short trips between data center puts lots of wear on my battery and starter circuit.

OK, 20k heavy usage, 30k normal usage; and yes u are over do!
Bike wear down on electrical parts is a hard thing to really put a "finger" on. I have about $400 in spare parts for the goldwing sitting on the shelf; main fuse, sub fuse, starter relay, alternator relay, coil for fuel injector, tire valve stems, three differant relays,etc. Problem is on a long trip, the dealers just about never stock these items, so a two-three day delay could be expected if one failed. Started trying to stock up on the MP3 parts, as people note them. Plugs, filter, belt, emergency kill sw., and soon new tire, relays, speedo sensor, etc.

but if they are all in your garage when your on a long trip how does that help?

You fail to see teh big picture - it's how he gets his wife to let him get one of those snazzy trailers!

Actually have a pouch of repair parts, to take for long haul trips. Amazing how just the tire valve stems are special order items, and not stock. Change valve stems every 2nd tire!

Huh????? Special valve stems??? You serious?

Yes, the goldwing has an OEM design 90 degree valve stem with a plastic support tab to hold it in place. An all metal aftermarket one can be replaced. Next tire change will do the metal one. Do not know why dealers do not stock them? cost are about $9 each.

Pretty scary what some tire stores could be fitting to your vehicles.
I went to metal some time ago after suffering a run of valve failures, and will do so on my scoot at the next tire change. It seems the market is being flooded by cheap rubber imports.

Check this out:

http://www.aa1car.com/library/tr20134.htm



.

Make sure you change the O-Rings on those metal valve stems at each tire change.

So what happened with this Wayne? Didja take the old one apart to see if it could be fixed up?

The relay doesn't appear to have been the problem, which really baffles me as it clicks and doesn't put out voltage at random times. I have a new relay I am going to try on Sunday just to make sure the used one I bought just isn't doing the same thing as the one it replaced.

Any idea's will be welcome.
Maybe JimC can give me some hints.

you have checked the connections going to the starter for tightness.

A long-shot assuming the relay itself and the connections are OK - the brushes in the starter motor may have worn, got stuck, or a spring is trapped or broken.

JimC,

I am not getting power to the starter side of the relay every time I hit the starter button. I hear the relay click, but no power on starter side of relay some times. No rime or reason to it.
Going to do more testing tomorrow.

Have you had the covers off the relay to check the connections are clean and tight? If they are, and there's power on one side but not the other when it clicks - then it's new relay time, no question. I don't think these ones are non-destructively openable, otherwise I'd suggest cleaning the internal contacts.

Replaced the relay with a used one I got off the net, but have a new one I ordered and am going to try that first.
All the contacts are clean and greased. Tried pulling the old one apart ( Dremel Tool got involved ) and just gave up as I didn't want to destroy it before I got the replacement. Will cut it open the rest on the way tomorrow too.

I have an Extended warranty but don't want to loose the use of the bike while they try to figure out whats wrong. Once I get it figured out, I'll take it in and ask if they can order the part and I'll hand them the bad part and I'll have a spare