Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 999 / 749 > Is it just me??

[CuStOm]

Originally posted by Gizmo
1) Bike doesn't want to start no matter how nicley I treat it, eventually fires up when it feels like it. Optimate, warm garage, kind loving owner make no difference

2) engine management light comes on at standstill or slow speed, dealer helps me out by letting me know its the clutch lever micro switch, it just needs a small bend putting in it??

3) whenever I fuel it ( taking care not to put too much in and go to neck height) it still p'ss's petrol all over the place from the tank filler cap

4) the gearbox downshift feels like a sponge, works OK when you click quickly through gears but if you do it slowly each gear takes about 45 degrees of lever movement through treacle , ends up with false neutrals all over.

5) has brilliant fuel injection, handles wonderfully and is nice to look at.

1) My 999 starts like a bitch too. I have found that if I thumb it without any input from the throttle speed adjuster (aka-choke) and then slowly pull the choke as the bike sounds like its starting it takes off first time every time.

2) My 2003 999 did this, it was actually a faulty ECU. Have the dealer scan it. If there are bogus undocumented HEX codes present, then your ECU is firing off random false system errors. There have actually been quite a few bad. Your ECU is covered by a 5 year warranty. (Atleast in the USA)

4)Bleed your clutch. Sounds like you might have a case of sponge there. Also adjust the lever. It also helps to zip tie your clutch lever at 75% closed over night. This leaves pressure on the system and slowly forces the air bubbles up.

[Edited on 20-4-2005 by CuStOm]