Wont start

[smilo006]

is there a definitive list somewhere of what to check if your bike wont start?

So far:
Battery - fine, given extra juice of seperate battery as well
fuel pump - changed tank and still wont start, fule pump sounds like it is doing its thing.
Fuses - fine
Side stand cut out annoying plug thingy - fine
On off switch - on
Spark plug ht leads - fine
Power commander - lighing up as it should
Starter - cranking away as it should
ECU - seems fine. With throttle open, bike tries harder to start etc.
Fuel line, changed last year - therefore new(ish)
Could the fuel filter get blocked?
Both coils done in
Relays? if so how to check and which one
???

[Bionicle]

Relays? if so how to check and which one
???

Im no expert and i expect someone with more knowledge will be along but you can try switching the relays around.

Another problem could be immobilizer

[hawkati]

i had this a couple of years ago - turned out to be a wire from previous owners alarm (removed) that hadn;t been sealed. Corroded back to to the main wiring and the alarm was wired into the killswitch circuit. Well worth checking and also look at the large round connector block just inside the frame neaxt to the cam cover?

[smilo006]

no immobiliser fitted

[skidlids]

smilo which model is you have as this section covers 748 to 998 and those two have completely different ECUs and can suffer from different problems.

I would start by checking for a spark and if fuel was getting through, easy if you know what your doing not so easy if you don't.
If its cranking over and you have no reason to suspect the ignition/spark then a few drops of fuel down the inlets can often help, if it starts then its the fuel not getting through the injectors for one reason or another.

[smilo006]

999s engine....04/05
Thanks for that.

to check the spart, plug out and start it with the plug against the cylinder head, correct?

If the fuel is getting through wont you see the injectors spraying fuel into the inlets with the tank partially removed? Or is it too fine for that.

I think a list to add to the site would be in order after this.

[Cobbett]

999s engine....04/05


Wrong section then fella. This is 748 to 998. For a 999 you want to post here:

http://www.ducatisportingclub.com/forumdisplay.php?f=84

[antonye]

Thread now moved to the 999/749 section.

[Shazaam!]

Engines need more fuel for a cold start because there is no heat in the ports and chambers to keep the fuel atomized as vapor, so it stays as a liquid. Fuel as a liquid burns very badly in the combustion chamber, so throwing extra fuel at it ensures enough stays as vapor for some sort of combustion. Too much fuel and you foul the plugs.

One of the problems with shower-type injected bikes like the 999 is HOW you start bike can result in problems. You can easily flood or foul plugs with shower injectors because much more of the initial fuel spray from shower injectors condenses on the cold surfaces of the throttle bodies and intake tracts before it can get down into the combustion chamber to aid startup.

So the method of starting is different.

In particular, do not open the throttle or engage the fast idle lever until the engine fires up. You must simply hit the starter button and wait for the engine to come to life. Attempting to crack the throttle open will only force you to run the starter motor longer (and possibly drain the battery). Once the engine begins to idle, you can open the throttle or fast idle lever at any time.

[smilo006]

999s engine which is a 998s engine basically, the rest of the bike is 998 and it is unlikely the problem is with the "metal". moved back

[skidlids]

If its housed in a 998 chassis with a 998 airbox then yes you should be able to see the shower injectors spitting out a bit of fuel as it builds up on the back of the throttle butterflies.
I usually use a spare spark plug rather than remove one from the engine, doesn't need to be the right one so long as the plug cap fits on it or the stick coil if yourusing them

[Ray]

How long ago since it last ran?

If it has been sat for a long time the fuel may have gone off.

My 998 always needs some help in the form of a set of jump leads and fresh fuel to awake from its winter slumbers.:)

Ray.

[smilo006]

I have tried another tank to see if the pump was not working properly and same result. As stated before it went to alta mura for its wheels to be done I think it was running fine. It was there for about three weeks and the tank off most of the time. They covered the inlet trumpets though. Then cold and damp for a while. So obviously it is holding out for a holiday to Bologna!!

Used a jump lead. Have not got the spark plugs out largely because the Ducati supplied tool does not seem to fit. So will check them.

I should say of course that it is the same engine as the 996R, (bore stroke, compression) except it seems they squeezed a little more HP out of the 999s engine. Other than that it is all 998.

Few more items to add to the list. Possibley moisture in the petrol as neither tank had "fresh petrol". However would image you would get a few splutters out of it at least.

[smilo006]

new relays, voltage tester, changed tanks, changed fuel, changed battery, pulled out fuel pump, checked, checked fuses, etc.........

after each one tried to start it. Nothing. Went away, came back and it just started.

Put it in the garage. Wouldn't start.

********. Then started with voltage meter. Noticed the wiring shroud for the fule pump connector was damaged. Checked this. Brown wire had been solder an the solder had broken......problem found.
Now working beautifully.

[skidlids]

Any idea why it was soldered or who by

[smilo006]

The only reason I can think of is that the wire was crushed or broken whentrying to ge tthe tank off. Perhaps pulled the tank and forgot to disconnect the fuel pump connector. The shroud round the wires appeared to be damaged. Looked like it had been torn.
However as with all these situations you learn something.
Know how to test electrical circuits, use a volt meter, how to check and change the fuel pump, reuse the o ring, etc. Just annoying though.

[bradders]

its nearly always something simple, just frustrating it takes so long to find it!!

[skidlids]

I've come across a few problems caused by people removing alarms or having them removed. Usually they are cut into the fuel and starter circuits and when removed the remaking of the circuit can be a bit of a bodge at times