Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > Sport Touring: ST4 / ST3 / ST2 > Any thoughts or wisdom please..

[mc31@york.ac.uk]

I would welcome any thoughts or wisdom on a problem I encountered last Saturday in the middle of a 200 mile ride...

Mine is a 1998 ST2, excellent condition, 12K miles.

After stopping the engine, the starter button did nothing. No drain on the battery, no clicking, no noises, just nothing.
Everything else, including fuel pump was working as normal.
Bump started it - fired first turn & ran fine.
Stopped it again, & the starter worked fine every time & has done since.

I'll tell you what it wasn't:
It wasn't any relay, or any fuse and the battery was absolutely fine and full.
Fairly sure it wasn't the datatool alarm/immobiliser as that continued to operate properly.

The only thing I can think of is a dead spot on the starter motor (ie. a burnt out winding). Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Before I strip everything to bits, does anyone have any clues that might save me a lot of time and much bug*ering about?

Thanks in advance,
Mike

[Mad Dog Bianchi]

wild guess, but could it be your side stand switch?

[chris.p]

Possably starter motor solanoid, if you put a screwdriver over the terminals it should turn the bike over, if it does turn over it will be the solanoid that will need to be replaced.


Chris

[KeefyB]

Originally Posted by chris.p

Possably starter motor solanoid, if you put a screwdriver over the terminals it should turn the bike over, if it does turn over it will be the solanoid that will need to be replaced.

Yep,and while you're at it,check the push on white connector as its pretty common for the pins to corrode and cause starting problems.

[Iconic944ss]

I've also had the main cable connection on the starter motor corrode to the point that starting degraded too much....

I also had the bushes in the starter motor wear down too much, I found a specialist who was able to rebuild it.

Eventually I changed the main cable to a heavier rating, (can't remember what I'm afraid) & soldered the ends myself and renewed all the earths I could.

Good luck - Frank

[mc31@york.ac.uk]

Ok, thanks everbody- there's a few good ideas there.
BTW Mad Dog - i don't know why, but there isn't a side stand switch on mine - it never had one from new, although it remains the worlds' most irritating side stand even without wires attached to it.

Keep the ideas coming if you think of anything else.

[nelly]

Originally Posted by mc31@york.ac.uk

Ok, thanks everbody- there's a few good ideas there.
BTW Mad Dog - i don't know why, but there isn't a side stand switch on mine - it never had one from new, although it remains the worlds' most irritating side stand even without wires attached to it.

Keep the ideas coming if you think of anything else.

1998 is too early for sidestand switch. Most likely to be the white connector on the back of the solenoid that Keefy mentioned. Just moving it with your finger whilst holding the starter on should result in it working again. Clean it up, and cable tie it tight to the solenoid body to stop it coming loose.

[Mad Dog Bianchi]

sorry, but I was just firing something off from the top of my head based on something I heard before. Hope you find out what the problem is. Also, I think you can fix the sidestand problem for your model, but Nelly may have more info on that.

[Derek]

It can be as simple as dirty contacts on the starter push button.

[jerryz]

Could also be one of the relays .