Scooterotica

I have just changed the battery on a 2007 PX125 to a new SIP gel battery (which frustratingly has the terminals the opposite way round so you have to fit it in backwards) and when 1st fitted the electric start worked fine, but the battery run out of juice after a few turns so I removed it and put in on charge. I have now re-fitted it but now the electric start doesn't work at all, I pull in the clutch and press the button and all you get is a click from the starter motor.

Anyone any ideas where the problem could be and why removing and refitting the battery could have caused it?

(And before anyone says I should use the kick start anyway I do, but I am selling the scooter to a lady so wanted to make sure the electric start worked fine for her)

sounds like battery's buggered........try jump starting with a car battery.

Sounds like a duff battery to me, is it brand new? The charging system on a Vespa is crap really and you need a good ride to keep it topped up.The starter pinion sometimes dries up so check that it is free by removing the fan cowl and pulling it out to lube the spiral shaft. You could check the fuse but if it had blown I don't think the starter button would work.Obviously you have the leads to the battery connected correctly?

It could be a high resistance on the starter relay contacts, have you got a meter you can use to check for voltage at the starter?

mick1 wrote:sounds like battery's buggered........try jump starting with a car battery.

^ Like he says ^

I've charged the battery and I get all the correct lights on the charger, plus after refitting the horn still works which would say to me that the battery is fine (as batteries on PX only run the electric start and horn). Could it be the starter relay?

Just odd that it turned the starter motor fine before it run out of juice but now nothing after being fully charged

coaster wrote:It could be a high resistance on the starter relay contacts, have you got a meter you can use to check for voltage at the starter?

No I don't Colin, but I need to pop over to Jarvs next week so will ride the Vespa over and ask him to check it over

i had one of them and it lasted all of 1 month. there ones on eBay and apparently cheaper and better.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AGM-Gel-Batte ... 1c413fc593

Burnside wrote:

coaster wrote:It could be a high resistance on the starter relay contacts, have you got a meter you can use to check for voltage at the starter?

No I don't Colin, but I need to pop over to Jarvs next week so will ride the Vespa over and ask him to check it over

You should be able to short out the 2 contact on the relay with a piece of wire just to prove that it's the relay, I have a PX200 I've been working on for my son so will check out with wires and get back to you

PS, this one is intermittent with starting off the motor, sometimes it'ii spin fine then it'll go slow and sometimes just the click. I suspect the relay as well.

Colin

Very easy check, just need a flat screwdriver and long nosed pliers. Pull the starter relay off its rubber mounting and use the screwdriver to lever the large red and black spade connectors off. Now check its in neutral and use the pliers to short out the red and black spades. If the problem is with the battery or starter mother then nothing it likely to happen. If the motor turns the engine then you will know that the problem is with the relay...simples

My problem appears to be the starter motor.