Having problems starting my M800Sie. 1st levels done (i.e. fuel - check; gear - N; side stand - UP; cold start lever - ON/Full) but on cold starts on ignition the solenoid goes "tick tick tick" but the started won't turn over. Bad battery? Looks brand new. Previous owner installed a battery charger and 10min charge does the trick, but it's a real nuisance. Any ideas, suggestions? Is this a common problem for Ducati's? Cheers all!!!
I would try a new battery. Do you actually know how old the battery is? It may look new but it could still be an old battery. It also not charging correctly/completely.
The Tick, Tick ,Tick is almost certain that the voltage is low. At a certain point the starter solenoid can't create enough of a magnetic field to engage the solenoid/starter
Just cause the battery looks new doesn't mean it is good !! You could take the battery to any Auto Electrician / Car Battery seller and get them to "Load Test" the battery, might be it has dropped a cell. If it has, you're up for a new one.
Other checks are the terminals for both the + and - battery leads, through all junctions, i.e battery both + & -, - on Frame, + at the start solenoid, and + on Starter motor. Give these a good scrap/clean to remove all dirt/corrosion/electrolysis, Even a tighten can make a big difference.
I have heard that Trickle Charging the battery is a very common thing for Ducati's...had 3 now, 2 of them required it....
Ctek is the brand of brands for Battery Chargers [thumbsup]
Thanks guys...heading out to DMoto this weekend to get some phat pipes. Will get them to check over the battery, etc. then.
charge battery first over night check voltage of battery let sit for the day then check again should be between 12 to 13 volts any less bad sell which will drain battery second hook multi meter and hit the starter if volts drop below 8 battery stuffed ,thirdly with bike running check that the bike is charging the battery hook multimeter up and watch voltage as bike revs up the voltage should rise if dosent you have charging probs , check regulator connections first they often corrode and finely check the main battery wires ducs HAVE very poor wire so new leads fix that , get some jumper leads and test that way , that will give you something too do for half an hour [thumbsup] cheers bazz
As mentioned above from Cabron and Bazz, do these simple checks and tests.
Two things to remember with problems like these, check the connection, most problems are caused by poor connections or poor earths, any corrosion or deterioration of a join or plug will create more resistance and will give you problems. Like Bazz said, the wiring is a bit ordinary so we need to keep it in good condition.
Mmick
Hey this is what my duc does.
In my case I replaced the battery and the heavy wiring from the battery to the solenoid and starter.
That didn't fix the problem, so I probed a little deeper. It appears my solenoid is sticking occasionally, so even though the battery voltage is good, the solenoid doesn't pull in.
I'll eventually replace the solenoid, but for now I just carry a small open-ended spanner with me, and use this to short the solenoid terminals out when it's misbehaving. My workmates love this - especially the guy with a Honda VFR. I get no end of comments about dodgy Italian electrics.
Not to say this is what's wrong with your bike - but bear in mind that sometimes a brand new battery can mask other marginal problems (as it did for me).
Hey Suzy, check the brand of the solenoid, odds on that its a jap brand, just like the starter motor ;)
Mmick