Urgent help needed! Rode my bike (2002 ST4s) to work last night, no issues at all. Gave it a wash, just a quick going over and a rinse with a hose, then put it away in the garage overnight. Moved it outside this morning to sit in the sun, just to finish off any hidden moisture that was in the depths of fairing. This afternoon went to start the bike to come home and all I'm getting is the bike turning over but it won't fire. Checked all the fuses, all are good, apart from the inline one to the optimate charging lead. Upon opening the cap to the plug, it was full of water, so I'm guessing that's what had blown the inline fuse. There was also a little bit of condensation inside the Speedo and LCD screen. I tried starting a few times, taking the key out and back in each time incase it was the immobilizer. The fuel pump primes each time, and I get a faint smell of fuel, I'm guessing from it trying to start but not firing. Eventually the battery has run down to the point it's barely turning over so Ive had to leave the bike at work, and I'm going to have to go back over in the morning with the charger and try again. Anything else I could try when I'm there? Everything seems to be doing what it's supposed to, apart from firing. I didn't have tools with me so couldn't check if it was sparking, but considering it had been running so well up until the point it was washed, I'm guessing it's got moisture in somewhere.
If you can smell petrol then it probably isn't firing. To get at anything then the fairing will need to come off. Have you got recovery to get it home? Just to charge the battery will need the right hand panels removed - unless you have connectors fitted.
It has got an optimate connector fitted so I can charge it without taking the fairing off. I've been told to check the crank position sensor plug incase it's furred up, and also the fuel pump relay under the seat, but I'm guessing that's ok as I can smell fuel, and I can hear the pump priming when the ignition is turned on .
Been here with my Monster - I even bought a brand new crank position sensor. Turned out to be a blocked fuel filter. But if you can smell petrol and you just washed it then it is more likely to be electrical. If neither cylinder fires then it must be on the low voltage side where the system doesn't separate for each cylinder. Could it be the kill switch switchgear has got waterlogged? I'll check my ST3 in a mo but I can't remember if the petrol pump primes with the kill switch off.
IvrI just read that it seems to be a fairly common issue with Ducati's that after washing, the immobiliser sensor aerial can get waterlogged causing it to not recognise the chip in the key. Thinking back, I'm sure that when I was trying to start the bike, the immobiliser light was either still flashing, or was a solid orange. Can't say I've paid much attention in the past but shouldn't the light go out once the key is put in?
You say the pump is running at ignition on but is it running when the starter is cranking? If not the problem is probably a faulty the crank sensor. If the crank sensor is OK you should see the tacho needle flicker while the starter is cranking. If the crank sensor fails you get no fuel pump, no injection, no spark and no revcounter but if you are smelling fuel it might not that.
At ignition on, yes. Here is a diagnostic for the immobiliser LED function: If the antenna or key isn't being seen by the immobiliser I'd expect the LED to flash twice then remain on.
Possibly could be pinning it down then, the immobiliser light was definitely on while I was turning the bike over on the couple of occasions that I was paying attention to it! I'll try that first tomorrow once I've charged the battery. Do you know if the antenna is easy to get to or is it hidden away? I've got the red key and the code card too if they might have more chance of sorting it if that is the issue .
The .antenna is under cover around the ignition barrel and is pretty easy to get to. You should check it's connector into the immobiliser too. The red key won't help but the card should be able to override the immobiliser if you know how to use it. I have the instructions somewhere!
I think I saw instructions somewhere earlier, I'll have another look and try and screenshot them! Fingers crossed!
The fuel pump does go with kill switch off. Should get no immob lights once they go from orange after the ignition key is inserted. Does sound like the immobiliser is the issue as above. The crank position sensor is not going to be affected by washing - after all most of the stuff is behind the fairing and would get little water from spraying after washing - more from riding in the wet or as much. Around the ignition key would get little or none from rain but it's possible that it got a soaking from a hose - or may be faulty anyway!
And the connections to the immobiliser (under LH fairing, below relays and fuse box) are very susceptible to corrosion.
It's alive! I'm guessing it was immobiliser related, when I took the ignition barrel cover off, it looks like someone has been in there before, the front of the housing has been cut away, and there are a load of washers under the barrel where the bolts go through. I'm guessing it's to lift the immobiliser antenna up closer to the key. Anyway, the antenna looks ok, no green colouration and it was dry and liked like it was as far up as it could go. I followed the wire to the immobiliser box, unplugged and replugged a few times, the connectors inside the plugs looked a little furry, put everything back together and it fired straight up. I think I'll stick to not washing it any more! Thanks to everyone for the help!
Good! WD40 will be you friend here! Should be OK washing it if you just be careful around the ignition.
