No tail light!

vwgrl1999 · Post by **vwgrl1999** » Thu May 10, 2012 5:00 am

Riding home from work tonight, I pulled off onto a side street to put on heavier gloves and noticed that my tail light wasn't working! I thought, well that's weird I wonder if it's cuz it's in neutral? So I put it into gear and checked....still no light, and no license plate light either. So I put the brake on and luckily that is working.

As soon as I got home, I took the red brick off and checked first the bulbs (both still good), then the connections (also good and tight).

Anybody have any ideas? What else can I check? I'm kind of bummed cuz the next few days are supposed to be nice and I was looking forward to getting in alot of riding.

Tam Tam · Post by **Tam Tam** » Thu May 10, 2012 5:32 am

I say that because I ran the gauntlet of electrical hassles with the plug cap, the battery, the starter relay, the main fuse and the right side turnsignal...that one sucked because the right side cowl came off and on and off and on, and bulbs in and out...turns out it was the little teeny metal tip in the front peg where it hooks in. It had fallen out, and had stayed on the floor board for 20+ miles of riding (when my hunny said, 'hey, your signal's not working')

Be patient, be thorough, and ask the folks on MB - they have helped me with my electrical hassles (except for the right side turnsignal-my hunny told me that the signal wasn't working as we pulled into my driveway, and we stayed out there for 2 hours as we worked on the Stella together - she's the best) When you've tried something and it hasn't worked, post it here so the electrical gurus can mull it over and suggest something else...

as for me? I always feel like a monkey in '2001' when electrical hassles rear their head. Good luck, and speedy recovery!

Maximus53 · Post by **Maximus53** » Thu May 10, 2012 1:13 pm

vwgrl1999 wrote:Riding home from work tonight, I pulled off onto a side street to put on heavier gloves and noticed that my tail light wasn't working! I thought, well that's weird I wonder if it's cuz it's in neutral? So I put it into gear and checked....still no light, and no license plate light either. So I put the brake on and luckily that is working.

As soon as I got home, I took the red brick off and checked first the bulbs (both still good), then the connections (also good and tight).

Anybody have any ideas? What else can I check? I'm kind of bummed cuz the next few days are supposed to be nice and I was looking forward to getting in alot of riding.

I replaced the bulbs in my rear taillight to LED and once I took the lens off and 'jiggled' the socket a bit the lights would turn on and off. I would look there first. I also had a problem with the front brake switch failing, so my brake light would only come on with the rear brake not the front brake, dealer fixed this.

I would check the rear taillight assembly for something obvious and if not take it in for warrenty repair.

Tack One. · Post by **Tack One.** » Thu May 10, 2012 1:15 pm

yah, if you're near the dealer it should be covered. unless you enjoy the hunt.

lorenajack · Post by **lorenajack** » Wed May 30, 2012 8:04 pm

I had the same problem on my 2005 Stella, cuz I pulled the right cowl on and off several times. The plastic button finally broke off!

I first tried soldering a long wire onto the existing wire, pulling it through a small plastic wall anchor, soldering and putting in a small screw, then gluing it back together. This worked for a while until the glue came loose and the plastic anchor broke.

So, then (in my pile of junk) I found a nail that was shrouded in a plastic T-shapped anchor. I removed the nail, cut the hard plastic anchor, pushed the wife thru, soldered another small screw into the end and pushed in into the plastic shroud. The new plastic shroud fit perfectly into the hole! I just added some Goop to keep it in place. Looks better than the original.

Let me know if you want pictures, etc.

Larry

Lab Rat · Post by **Lab Rat** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 9:16 am

My tail light used to pull that crap on me intermittently. I finally got tired of it and ripped the factory base out (which as I recall was for an odd sized bulb anyway). I picked up an 1157 base, which is a very common bulb, and opened up the hole a bit and epoxied that sucker in there. Problem solved, and tons of aftermarket LEDs available at any auto parts store.

vwgrl1999 · Post by **vwgrl1999** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 3:05 pm

So I just picked up my Stella from the dealer yesterday. It had been there for it's first service and to have this tail light issue fixed. There was a short in the wire for the tail light. Hopefully this issue won't crop up again. As I rode across town though, I discovered that my right turn signal was suddenly non-fuctional! Had to turn around and head back to the shop. Fortunately, it was just a loose connection and was easily fixed.

vwgrl1999 · Post by **vwgrl1999** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 3:13 pm

Brand new problem w/my Stella: my electric start is only working about 1/3 - 1/2 of the times that I try to use it.

I am so so very tired of taking this thing into the shop every week to 10 days. Our riding season in PA is not exactly year round and this is cutting into my viable riding time.

I will be writing to Genuine to voice my concerns over their apparent lack of quality inspection. I've owned the scooter for 2 months, have put less than 1000 miles on it and it's been back to the dealer 3 times for electrical issues. The first stint at the dealer was a week while they tracked down the tail light issue, the next time was over night, who knows how long it will be there this time.

This is a brand new, fresh off of the dealers' floor scooter, it should NOT have this many issues. As a contrast, the only times I ever had my Honda scooter in the shop were for tire changes and inspections (in 4 years and 9000 miles).

lempira · Post by **lempira** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 3:43 pm

it's ok vwgrl1999, you're going through the stella grief process...we all have. eventually you'll come to acceptance. accepting the fact that really they're a piece of crap and hopefully you can get all the problems ironed out in the first two years.

I don't care what excuses anybody tries to make, vespa quality was/is never this bad. (p range)

Not a very good business model if you're hoping for return customers.

jimmbomb · Post by **jimmbomb** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 5:57 pm

The next time your electric start fails.to.work..... try wiggling your clutch lever in and out a few times...
could be that switch in there is gobbed up with what-not...
yes... the ' iron-out' process is frustrating if you're not handy .....
good luck

vwgrl1999 · Post by **vwgrl1999** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 3:50 pm

Thanks for the encouraging words.

Here's the thing....I am handy! I did alot of the maintenance myself on my previous scoot (oil changes, spark plug, belt, gear oil, roller weights, variator). But, I shouldn't have to be handy on a BRAND NEW VEHICLE. Think about how pi$$ed off you'd be if you bought a brand new car and all of this stuff was going wrong in the first 2 months of ownership.

Just because a scooter costs less than a car doesn't mean that we have to accept it as being a piece of crap. I really want to love the Stella the way that I loved my Honda, but I don't see that happening anytime in the near future.

Maximus53 · Post by **Maximus53** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 4:15 pm

vwgrl1999 wrote:Thanks for the encouraging words.

Here's the thing....I am handy! I did alot of the maintenance myself on my previous scoot (oil changes, spark plug, belt, gear oil, roller weights, variator). But, I shouldn't have to be handy on a BRAND NEW VEHICLE. Think about how pi$$ed off you'd be if you bought a brand new car and all of this stuff was going wrong in the first 2 months of ownership.

Just because a scooter costs less than a car doesn't mean that we have to accept it as being a piece of crap. I really want to love the Stella the way that I loved my Honda, but I don't see that happening anytime in the near future.

My girlfriend has the same reaction everytime i have a "minor issue" with my stella. I did a lot of reading before I bought it and knew what i was getting into, even sort of was looking forward to having an excuse to get my hands dirty. She doesn't understand and agrees that it is crazy to have to get so many repairs on a brand new vehicle. So far my fixes from the dealer have been quick usually a day or less turnaround and the one thing i broke that was not covered under warrenty (clutch cable) was a cheap, easy and satisfying fix to do myself

lempira · Post by **lempira** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 4:32 pm

As I've said vwgrl1999, we've all been there.

topic21045.html

As for 'getting my hands dirty', if I wanted to do that I would've bought a Lambretta or any truly vintage scooter and not a brand new one.

After my P was completely rebuilt I've never had any problems with it. I trust it more than my brand new Stella. Just sayin! (as the kids say)

kitty · Post by **kitty** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 2:57 am

Hmm, with VW in your name, you should be used to electrical gremlins

Hope that's the last of them for you, and hope I don't run into any *crosses fingers*

jimmbomb · Post by **jimmbomb** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 12:49 pm

its nice to have a handy girl among us!
good luck, kitty.

vwgrl1999 · Post by **vwgrl1999** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 3:16 pm

kitty wrote:Hmm, with VW in your name, you should be used to electrical gremlins

Oh, yes absolutely!!!! Although, on my current "make it a decent daily runner" fixer upper - an '87 Vanagon - I have been pretty lucky on the gremlin tip! My '99 Beetle has plenty of electrical issues though.

I thought that I had done my due research on the Stella before I bought it, but guess I should have done more. I will admit to being lured in by the classic look of it and the price. I wanted something in the 125 - 150 cc range but didn't like the looks of the new Vespa's; was turned off by the price tag of the Honda Elite; and didn't know that there was a Kymco dealer near me (otherwise I would've considered a Kymco). Right now I'm considering looking for a mid - late '80's Honda Elite to ride when the Stella is in the shop, but it seems a bit ridiculous to have 2 scoots just for me (husband has no interest in riding).

vwgrl1999 · Post by **vwgrl1999** » Sat Jun 30, 2012 4:09 pm

So, as an update: I've been riding the Stella w/the partially operational electric starter for a couple of weeks, just kick starting when the electic start doesn't work. But now I have a fresh issue and the Stella is back in the shop.

The new issue is indeed a strange one: my rear tire is worn, only on the right side. If you look at the tire from the back of the bike, the right half is obviously more worn than the left side. There is also a spot about 4" long and the width of the tire that is totally devoid of tread.

I've asked the shop to fix the electric start while they have it as well.

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Sat Jun 30, 2012 9:28 pm

This thread is like the "Stella horror story"... Sexy looks, evil attitude...

vwgrl1999 · Post by **vwgrl1999** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 4:30 pm

Drum Pro wrote:This thread is like the "Stella horror story"... Sexy looks, evil attitude...

Seriously! I've considered changing the name of the thread: "Why does my Stella hate me?" or "Worlds' worst Stella" or "How my Stella got totally rebuilt while under warranty" or .....the possibilities are endless. The first couple of times I had it back to the dealer, I know they were thinking that I'm just some overly anal woman. Now when I go in they look at me w/pity in their eyes.

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 4:54 pm

vwgrl1999 wrote:
Drum Pro wrote:This thread is like the "Stella horror story"... Sexy looks, evil attitude...
Seriously! I've considered changing the name of the thread: "Why does my Stella hate me?" or "Worlds' worst Stella" or "How my Stella got totally rebuilt while under warranty" or .....the possibilities are endless. The first couple of times I had it back to the dealer, I know they were thinking that I'm just some overly anal woman. Now when I go in they look at me w/pity in their eyes.

I don't know why they just didn't give you a replacement Stella? As this makes their shop look none too good....

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 4:57 pm

Can you put bolts on the side? Can anyone say "Franken-Stella"...! Run to the hills!!

vwgrl1999 · Post by **vwgrl1999** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 3:33 pm

Update: Picked the Stella up from the shop yesterday. The issue w/the electric start was that it was shorting itself out on the engine side cowl. Seems to be working fine so far.

The service manager pointed something out to me that the mechanic noticed, presumably this is true for all Stella's and not just mine: If you press on the outside edge (extreme right edge, as you sit on the bike) of the starter button nothing happens, i.e. no start. But if you press on the inside edge or dead center, presto, it starts.

As far as the tire wear issue goes, I am not convinced that (as the service manager tried to tell me) 'stock scooter tires are only good for about 1500 - 2000 miles.' I had the stock tires on my Honda scooter for about 4000 miles before the wear became noticeable.

I am, however, convinced that there was something wrong w/that tire. And here's why: riding home w/a new tire on it yesterday I noticed a complete lack of 'squirrely-ness' that had been quite noticeable before. I feel a bit idiotic for not going w/my gut on this one as I had noticed this 'squirrely-ness' from day one and just kept telling myself that it must be normal cuz the bike is brand new. I really wish that I had taken a pic of the old tire so that everyone could see the strange wear it was exhibiting.

I felt much more at ease while riding yesterday. Much more 'at home' on my Stella than I've felt since I bought it. Hopefully this is the start of our love affair!

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 7:21 pm

vwgrl1999, I am assuming you had whitewall tires on your stella as stock? Sadly most whitewalls nowadays are just novelty tires and 2k miles on the rear is fairly realistic for them. I would ditch the whitewalls and just get a quality blackwall tire like the Heidenau K61. Many people have reported those lasting many thousands of miles on their scoots.

Another way to prolong tire life is to fill them with nitrogen. This keeps the tire's temperature lower thus leading to longer thread life.

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 3:08 am

Lokky is right about the tire situation. There was a while where the whitewalls coming on the bikes, and even some of the blackwalls had VERY short tread life. Better stuff is out there, and hopefully your dealer set you up with something good.

Nettar · Post by **Nettar** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 1:08 pm

VWGirl - What did you replace the original equipment tire with? I'm noticing the "squirrelyness" myself, especially over 45mph. Did the new tire cure it?

vwgrl1999 · Post by **vwgrl1999** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 3:22 pm

Nettar - right now, I have the spare on the back of the scooter. The dealer (I'm assuming it's where you got your Stella as well), Kissell Motorsports, didn't have any tires in stock that fit. They called yesterday to say that my new tire had come in. I'll let you know what it is after I get it changed.

I'm kind of glad that you are noticing that issue as well, as it means I'm not crazy! I'd try switching your rear tire for your spare and see if that takes care of it. I'd be curious to know the results.

When I take mine in to get the new tire put on, I'm going to ask them to check the rim out. I'm convinced that there is something wrong w/either that old tire or the rim.

Nettar · Post by **Nettar** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 7:50 pm

Stopped at a light on Whitehall this afternoon and the guy in the car behind me came up to tell me that my rear wheel was wobbling. I'll switch out the rear for the spare tomorrow and see if that fixes it.

vwgrl1999 · Post by **vwgrl1999** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:17 am

Nettar wrote:Stopped at a light on Whitehall this afternoon and the guy in the car behind me came up to tell me that my rear wheel was wobbling. I'll switch out the rear for the spare tomorrow and see if that fixes it.

Holy crap! If some random person in a car could see it wobbling, it must have been bad!!!! Please don't ride again until you switch that wheel!

Also, I'm wondering if this might be a case of poor dealer prep. Both Stellas, bought at the same dealer, at around the same time. Has yours had any of the other issues that mine has had? Tail light/starter/turn signals?

It has been like night and day riding mine since changing the tire. I am finally beginning to feel at home on Stella. I had been thinking about selling it, simply because it felt very awkward.

Nettar · Post by **Nettar** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 3:42 pm

Not bad dealer prep - a bad hub.
Should be covered under warranty but I won't be doing any riding for a few days.
I did have some minor electrical problems when I first got the scooter. The neutral indicator light stopped working the second time I rode it but that was easily fixed. I had some difficulty with the left directional signal but that proved to be a loose bulb. The electric start works okay although I usually kick start it.

Modern Buddy

No tail light!

No tail light!

uh oh

Re: No tail light!

and yet more electrical problems w/Stella