Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 851 / 888 > Help - Not Priming properly !

[Nattyboy]

Has anyone had intermittent problems with there fuel pump priming ? My 888's been a bit hit an miss lately so I took the arse end off and found if I tapped the offside grey relay thingy it primed..only problem is if it didnt fire, when you went to start it again it wouldnt prime.

Im a bit of a cabbage with electrics I have to say..do you think the relays are the culprits..? Worth replacing..? If so where should I get them from ??

Thanks in advance..hopefully ill get the damned thing working for a cotswolds tour tommorrow night round moreton in the marsh.!

(Think shes just got the hump coz Ive been using the monster for about 3 weeks solid and she hasnt had a look in !!)

Nat

[Douglas851]

Nat

The rear relays are standard automotive ones, so should be able to get at any decent car spares shop. I have used Lucas ones in the past, but they do not have the built in fuse. Mind you, early 851s did not either.

Douglas

[sparkin]

Originally posted by Nattyboy
(Think shes just got the hump coz Ive been using the monster for about 3 weeks solid and she hasnt had a look in !!)

Nat

Cabbage myself with electrics Nat,so can`t help you,but hang your head in shame for neglecting your loved one

[KeefyB]

Have you replaced the fuel filter lately?

[Nattyboy]

Fuel filter was replaced last year KB...so we can rule that out..

Sod off Graham..your no help...

Douglas - So OK to fit them without the fuse holder then ? Guess the relays arent costly anyway ??

Cheers guys
Nat

[Douglas851]

The fuse is not necessary, and the relay is also the same for other models of Ducati. The shape is different, but the pin configuration is the same. Check the little diagram on the casing to confirm that the internals are the same.
The last time I bought one was about 12 years ago, cannot remember the cost, but a couple of pounds for the Lucas version.

Douglas

[keith888]

Probably also worth pulling the relay and replacing after a squirt of WD40 (repeat as necessary for other local connectors). You might have a slightly duff connection to the relay due to a bit of corrosion (maybe all that washing to get the bike looking so pretty!). If it primes when you tap the relay that pretty much rules out a stalled pump motor but could still be a duff connection.

Keith

[Shazaam!]

WD-40 has no place in electrical connectors or components. WD-40 is composed of 80% Stoddard Solvent (that is similar to paraffin), 20% light lubricating oil, and a bit of fragrance. So, I advise against using WD-40 in any part of an electrical system because it leaves an oil residue. Use an electrical contact cleaner instead is to remove any grease and oil that is causing conductivity problems. Sticky relays should just be replaced because in the long run they’ll probably fail when you least want them to.

[Edited on 8-10-2005 by Shazaam!]

[Nattyboy]

Thanks again guys..just bought the last relay from my motor factors for £3 (your right doug..no fuse!)..the only thing is they had a choice of a 30A or 40A one..I went for 30..is that OK..?

Nat

[Douglas851]

Premier Wiring in Woking do relays with fuses for £3-50.

01483 236976 www.premierwiring.co.uk

They also do custom made starter motor leads to replace the weedy ones that come as standard with Ducatis.
Allegedly replacing these leads solves 90% of all slow turning starter motor problems.

Douglas