Electrical Fault 916
 

Anybody help? My damn 916 has developed an electrical fault the Reg / Volt 3 amp fuse blew Friday causing it to break down, got a replacement delivered to roadside which lasted about a mile anyway managed to get home in the end. According to the Haynes manual this is the fuse for right handle bar switches hence kill switch but it also goes to regulator / rectifier. Traced all the wires through the loom and as far as I can tell they and the connections look ok. The bike is a 1995 Biposta with only 7500 miles on it, bought off the original owner last summer hence it is like new. When I bought it I was informed that it had a heavy duty regulator / rectifier fitted by Alvins of Aberdeen under warranty not sure whether this helps in finding the problem. Whilst I was looking around the large heavy duty 30 amp charger fuse looked in extremley poor condition hence held by a thread. I will replace this but just after a bit of advice really.

check the wiring down from the switch to the main loom. try a new fuse and with the ignition on move it around. It'll probably blow. They get trapped on full lock and break. you will need to open up the sheathing to repair it.

I added a load of stuff on this and other SBK electrical problems , here its worth a read but can get technical :) if you get stuck one of the contibutors to that, Derek, is up your way and would probably lend a hand.


[Edited on 3-5-2006 by Gizmo]

I just want to say well done Gizmo for sorting all that techno stuff out.

I have been banging on about sorting out a techinical archive for the main DSC site for years now...everytime it gets a positive response and then nothing...just gets forgotten about. I've been quite happy to sort through everything myself and list them as you have...but still no feedback or encouragement.

Good on ya...and I'll now be refering everyone to your site for techinical tips:bouncy:

Where about are you Minty?
If you get stuck I'd be happy to help out if I can.

Right guys an update looked at the stuff Gizmo sent and the only thing I can think is from that info is the fuel filter could be making the pump work harder but not sure. Anyway checked wires from switch and they look ok as do the other wires but I did find that the big 30 amp charger fuse was also blown so replaced that together with the 3 amp and set off for a run with a pocket full of fuses. Got less than a mile! Thank god I have an R1 too! Same again blown big 30 amp fuse and blown 3 amp! Getting pretty angry now, may be time for local garage as I am over 100 miles from Ducati dealer anyone got any ideas? I suspect its the big fuse is causing the problems so any more suggestions would be welcome

Martin:(

Did you check the big white connecting block behind the battery tray/regulator?

It should have a couple of yellow wires going into it...pull the connector apart and take a look inside. Does it look OK?

How do these yellow wires look as they cross across the engine over to the other side. They can become very corroded and brittle over time due to the heavy current loading they carry, and the fact they are not upto the job!

Took a look at these tonight pulled them apart hence they were not a tight fit, cleaned them and nipped them so they were tight. Could it be the rectifier or fuel filter?

I don't think a dodgey rectifier will keep blowing fuses...I would put my money on it being either a wiring issue, or the filter.

Replace the filter and be done with it. They cost pennies and are a dodle to change.

If that doesn't sort it then move on to the next option.

Order one (and associated seals etc) from JHP or such like.

Change the filter anyway, If you don't know when it was last done it probably needs doing.

The 30A fuse is between the battery and the regulator. There are only 2 ways that it is going to blow;
1. If there a huge load on the battery, like a massive short circuit, causing the regulator to output its full capacity, but alternator couldn't produce that much current anyway.
OR
2. If the voltage regulator is short-circuit internally, connecting the battery voltage to earth. The fuse is there to protect the battery and stop the wiring going on fire in the event of this happening.

The 3A fuse is for the ignition sense to the regulator. The fact that this is also blowing makes me pretty sure that regulator is faulty.
When you have the bike running, connect a meter across the battery reading volts. It should read between 12V and 13V with the ignition off rising to around 14V with the engine running. I think that you'll find that it doesn't.

Will do that Derek however it runs with a blown 30amp till the 3 amp blows does this help diagnose the problem? Just called manchester Duacti about as much use as chocalate fire guard! Bring the bike here mate cant tell you anything! Bring the bike in we will charge you a fortune, look mate for the 10th time its broken down 120 miles away!

whereabouts are you Minty??

The 3A fuse feeds the ECU via kill switch as well as the regulator ignition sense. If it fails you won't get any injection, ignition or fuel pump but I doubt very much that it would cause the regulator to blow the 30A fuse - my money is still on the regulator. If the 30A fuse is blown it certainly won't be charging.

Right Chaps was almost convinced it is the regulator / rectifier when a good man from Coventry Ducati not those to**ers from Manchester also informed me it could be the alternator too! So there you go sorry to be a complete pain with this problem but I went out and bought myself a multimeter just gotta learn to use it. Anyone got any numpty guides on how to test my alternator and rectifier? Also whilst I am convinced it is one of these and will probably end up buying a new rectifier does anyone know where to get one at the best price? Also alternator though can these be re-conditioned? If so where at and at what price?

Thanks Guys

Hello minty70uk

most guys go for one of these

http://www.electrexworld.co.uk/#home

barring that ebay

heres one not sure if the wiring is the same

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ducati-748-200...QQcmdZViewItem

good luck


regards

TopiToo

It's much more likely to be the rectifier than the alternator; alternators seldom give trouble.

The meter should have a 20V DC range, or similar. Mine doesn't actually say DC, it has a logo of a horiz. bar with 3 dots under. You can easily tell the AC ranges from the DC ones though, the DC ranges will be much lower; mine has 200 and 500V AC, and 200m (millivolts), 2000m, 20, 200 and 500V DC. Turn the dial to that (20V), fit the meter leads, and put the probe of the red one on the battery live, and the black on onto a good earth; I use the exhaust mounting lug just above the footrest. You may need to move the earth probe around a little to get the highest reading.

I've just done this on mine and it read 12.18V. Anything over 12V is OK. But well under 13.

Now try with the engine running. Should be around 12.5V to 13V at idle. If it's a little lower (mine was, actually) it's not the end of the world.

Rev the engine and it should go up, but never more than 14.5V.


What you're looking for is figures substantially above or below these. If you get that, suspect the rectifier or its wiring.


Turn the meter dial to "Off" when you've finished. :)

[Edited on 5-5-2006 by moto748]

Well what can I say guys had loads of Jap bikes in fact still got an R1 which I love but whilst the Duke continues to fail very few bike have this kind of support thats why I shall be keeping this 916 till the day I can no longer ride. So thanks very much
PS Where is the best place to get fuel and air filter?

Martin

Did the checks with the multi meter and yes the rectifier is shagged. Followed the instructions to remove battery etc. Unfortunetly this set off the stupid datatool system 3 alarm hence because the battery was touched the alarm has gone what they call "Spiked" and has immobilised the fuel injection of the bike! So gone backwards from just a rectifier datatool give you a de-spiking guide which takes over 6 hours to do so thats where I am as for the rest of things I regret to inform you my love affair with Italian bikes is over having owned this bike a year hence its a 1 owner 7200 mile mint machine I have been hit with more electrical failures than any of my previous bikes put together! Dealer is giving a price on a Part ex for the new R1.

I have a rectifier if you need it.
£30 all in

Hello minty70uk


did you put the alarm in service mode before disconnecting the battery? if not this will set the alarm off.


the alarm has its own small re-chargeable battery so don't worrie, connect it back up, put it in service mode, disconnect the battery, replace regulator.

I understand how you must feel, but stick with it, we have all been there, and you will reap the benefits from owning a Ducati.

regards


TopiToo

Gents having been away with work all week my anger has cooled and the 916 will be staying, a local dealer has confirmed the rectifier as root cause. He has advised me that the best to fit is from electrexworld and that a honda one with a conversion harness will sort the bike. Though they are out of stock for 2 weeks anyone know an alternative supplier?