https://youtube.com/shorts/t5CzakPe6GM?si=gmoJECbolYQUgeD2 Hello all, looking for some guidance please. Whist out for a spin yesterday and after the second coffee stop the bike wouldn’t start. Managed to bump it going and got home. Every subsequent attempt to start it has resulted in just hearing the click from the relay. - I can hear the pump prime - All lights on the dash - Tried new battery - Bypassed the side stand switch - Crossed the starter solenoid
Did you try bridging the relay as well. Even though it clicks, does not necessarily mean it's still functioning correctly All fuses OK, no shorts, bad earthing poin to the frame, corrosion on any terminals or connectors. You'll probably need a multimeter to check a lot of these and that you are getting the full compliment of 12 plus volts within the starting circuit and at the starter itself, from the battery. Are you using the original starter cables?
Hi, yes I tried bridging the starter solenoid but no joy. The main earth to the cylinder was loose and initially thought that was the problem but it didn’t resolve the issue. I’ve cleaned the battery terminals and sanded them down with 1000 grit but they are the original starter cables. In truth there is a corrosion on every exposed contact.
it will arc briefly but you can try a jump lead from starter motor connection on solenoid to live on battery to check starter motor function seperately. Even starter switch and red isolator rocker switch on handlebar can't be ruled out. Have you used it in rain or washed it recently?
Did you short out the relay? Not just the solenoid. These relays are prone to failure if any moisture gets inside. Even if you still hear the click when you turn on the ignition, the internal contacts can still be corroded and the bike wont start. Can you run two cables directly to the starter motor itself, to eliminate it from the equation, at least to check it still works. Without a multimeter you are going to struggle to find the fault, if it's not something obvious. At the very least I would pull the fuse box and clean all the connections, both there and within the starting circuit, including the ignition relay (clean both the spades and female receptacles, use a contact cleaner if you physically cannot get to them) and solenoid. If you can I highly recommend you invest in some dialectric grease and smother all your electrical connections with it. It is excellent at protecting connections from future corrosion and promotes better conductivity. Your starter cable itself may also have broken or is itself corroded internally. Again no way to really check this visually without a meter, to be sure. You would expect some voltage drop but there should be a nominal voltage that reaches it. Try these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Permatex-22058-Dielectric-Tune-Up-Grease/dp/B000AL8VD2/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3P91WRVEXRH28&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._-kmUDnERd__LskkH-FAejG6xpWkJPWBJH-TFW63K3WPfw5yELVDm97HY5kgDiXGu1u--y-d_jV2dx3vvpFslSazS3lUvaf9OdNGuMOHpz7AygAJDQxfgjm8zJ-YVOSVZIszId9mkikxueuiUNKgDTiIxDCE_WInT4ZhP8U9BfWoCs1ED7jJJvScGRuPghAMg7qfI2letZJuqkZvCqQ9rsgU6p8HWMS27XQwXJ7GY2wba6b0xUgC8NvCgAGLOQVbWKSfLB2CXlQIljGbbnJYv4T79bhl6euy_oyP0HGMgUcSXg_n8bPQJwtww58Ylybxa_QoXMVAgDjLxj0oi_QNEGyHd6rZVzohHPKioorgRhNXEoZ2RHdzYoK_debPawcr4iIxlGtFk4x9Upo_xgXS8pFZrMEl3SfHb4e1GJ0EfDWmoWp79MdEskKqDz57UogF.pT6dd4NrhqDsKR7nOkRvWpayqFKvTWauxAfq6nw9Mw8&dib_tag=se&keywords=dielectric+grease&qid=1742138935&sprefix=diaelectric+greease,aps,101&sr=8-5&th=1 https://www.amazon.co.uk/AstroAI-Digital-Multimeter-Measurement-Electronic/dp/B01ISAMUA6/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=25A9UMDUH7LA8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.z4fDNdduOSee23tTRZDsk1KcB393I7dNz9r6ubzUn9XryGm3V8O4nP4N7dhQR8qXukLZqMcdavyFIwvPCqJhoMswcRvEEOfr6xNLiy1sQD32EgTBveJyeOfvRB_c94y4mSTUUPwyy2ZK6A8qCR75PuzhtppTKZfLDGP3FcXuQrl_H-9UTmbbRCIPcz9Q5EJlxqxJf_tUtHar38Oy-eeILN_6KOWuB65e5AsTRnJxC0YWM1JJMMsD-9pc2ku2Q-UqZE263CIcY4605YUMbodu70NVNj1U9cUBvZn-Yx-Men0.P-pUFL0VOpSwRT5GYjSGugGomoXmW8SldTD2bKMeQgo&dib_tag=se&keywords=multimeter&qid=1742139009&sprefix=multimeter,aps,246&sr=8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
Brilliant! Thanks for the advice. Yes, I think it may be approaching the time to leave it to someone with some knowledge but wanted to rule out some of the simple things first. I have a few spare relays and switched it for a new one but unfortunately didn’t resolve it. Thanks for the recommendations…on Amazon as we speak. If I can tap you for one more piece of information , which is the starter upgrade kit of choice?
Hi, will give that a go and check if the starter runs. No, I’ve never run it in the rain or washed it (with a hose/power hose). It’s never dirty enough to warrant a soaking and given 20 year old electronics I’m going to try and keep it that way. Haven’t tried the starter switch yet. It’s a 2004 bike so I can’t account for the previous 19 years but no doubt moisture has been introduced at some point.
Take a look at this thread for more info: https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/999-will-not-start.10842/ Also you might want to contact @Exige. IIRC he makes an "ExactStart" kit. There are others on the market as well, but his kit is very high quality and will also ensure the battery isn't working quite so hard to turn over your two (not unsubstantial) cylinders. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Is fuel getting through? Only I had an issue with a Monster years ago that fooled everyone except Riders. There was a filter by the pump in the fuel tank. That filter was blocked,
Plenty of free stuff you can do. Charge the battery Check the condition of the 90 degree battery connectors (they can crack/break) Check for poor earthing to engine. Run a jumper cable from the battery negative to a good earth on the engine. See if bike cranks. If it does run a secondary earth from the battery negative to one of the exposed starter motor bolts. Put a multimeter on the battery when pressing the star button, check for voltage drop.
Thanks to all for the advice. I’ve ordered a multimeter so will test the simple stuff and go from there. Some excellent advice, will update with any progress when it happens.
It will crank quite happily but just won't start. Start with the basics. Take out the plugs and check that they are sparking by having them touching the cylinder for a ground, If OK, then it will be fuel Put the plugs back and spray in some petrol to se if it catches for a sec.
Sorry to re-iterate but the OP has described the symptoms as thus.... At key on the dash illuminates as normal and the fuel pump primes. The problem is the starter motor not cranking when he presses the starter button and the ignition relay just clicks. This points to an electrical issue. Checking the plugs or any aspect of the fuel system won't make any difference if there is no power reaching the starter motor to begin with.
I just re-read. I thought that it WAS cranking, NOT not cranking. Yes, if that is the case, it will be nothing to do with fuel - provided there is some, but it should crank, even with no fuel! Is it sparking? No, it won't be as it is not turning over! Battery? Starter motor solenoid? Find a long hill and try bumping it! It should have masses of compression, Has it?
