Modern Vespa

Well this is the 3rd time that my recently bought vespa would turn on but then die off a few seconds later. Got it towed to the dealer and they'll look at it thursday. I did call another vespa mechanic and they told me it might be a loose spark plug wire or a drained battery...or the dreaded fuel pump but hoping thats not it. Any ideas? Thanks

Sounds like as you say "the dreaded fuel pump" issue. This is what is keeping me from buying a new 300 right now.

Yah everyone I have spoken with seem to have it narrowed down to those 3 possible problems. I also heard that the fuel pumps are 'out of stock' currently which makes the fuel pump issue even worse if that is the case...

If the shop determines that is is a bad fuel pump, please go to this thread, add your experience and click on the NHTSA link to register your bike so that we can get Piaggio to move towards a recall. Until that is done, your replacement fuel pump may fail like the original one. A recall would require a fuel pump of improved design or manufacture.

Time to report failing fuel pumps to NHTSA to get a recall?

I had similar problems with my GTS-250 and even bought a backup fuel pump. Someone on here told me to cycle the cut off switch several times because if you don't use it regularly it will corrode and cause the bike to shut down similar to a bad fuel pump. It worked for me and I haven't had a problem since I started using the cut of switch to stop the engine.

I guess OEM fuel pumps are like gold right now. I bought my at Scooterwest at the beginning of July and you should check with them if the cleaning of the cut off switch does not fix the problem. They are not listed on the web site but talk to Max and he should be able to help you find one.

So your saying just use the cut off switch for now on to turn off the engine? I'm really hoping it is anything other than the fuel pump at this point...

What I am saying is that the turning on and off of the cut off switch seems to have fixed my problem. Before you go for another ride turn the cut off switch on and off several times. This will tend to break up the corrosion, if there is any, and may solve your problem, it did for me. It is a simple thing to do and see if it works. Then always use it to turn off your engine and maybe your problem will go away, it did for me. I know it sounds crazy but usually when a fuel pump dies it doesn't come back to life, at least that has been my experience.

I'll give it a try if the mechanics can't figure anything out..Thanks ...they told me they would do a diagnostic which I would think if its any of the general problems discussed it wouldn't take that long to figure out if something is loose or a bad fuel pump;

I just looked at your post again. I though you had a GTS-250. I don't know if an ET4 has a fuel pump or not. So I am out of bounds suggesting it could be a fuel pump because I am not that familiar with the fuel system on an ET4. Check your filter and change it if you have one but also check the cut off switch, it won't hurt, just in case.

No I traded my ET-4 in for a gts super 250 recently...I better switch that.

could be fuel pump, could be antenna for security system - both have had problems.

You might want to consider a low battery with very slightly corroded terminals on a fuel injected engine. They are famous for this.

Cheers and good luck,
Bob

I'll bet the ranch that it's the HT cable that's come off the cap.

It happened to me.

Bill X

I hope your right Bill X! Thanks for your replies....no fuel pump please no fuel pump no fuel pump lol..