Guest Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 HiI have a 1992 Ducati 900ss, which recently died on me (i.e. lost all power) in the middle lane of the motorway. Mildly scary but I managed to get onto the hard shoulder and arrange recovery. Couldn't restart it - ignition lights on and headlight etc, but just getting a 'click' when pressing the starter button, and no action at the starter. This sounds like a relay switch or solenoid or something trying to do something but obviously not transferring the juice from the battry to the starter.Have tried with a new battery just to prove it's not that, and same results.Questions -1. Why would the bike would just totally lose power like that?2. What could be the reason for failure to start?Any help much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 howdo matey was not the one up by stockport other day where ya ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 have you checked the main fuse that is genrally located next to the starter solenoid realy ( its a large 20amp fuse normally ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 No Guv, mine happened a few months ago before the winter set in..That's a good suggestion, I will check the fuse at the weekend and hopefully get the beauty back on the road again!Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoody Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Not sure of the leccies on a Duck Hatty, but total loss sounds like regulator/rectifier if it isn't a fuse.Even if it is a fuse then why has that blown? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 sounds to me like the battery if the fuse has gone you wont get any clicking as its the main fuse on the starter relay the only other fuse that could make it stop is the ignition fuse but then again you wouldnt have any power at all was the other battery you tried known to be good ? and fully charged ?if so then check all positive and negative cables for corrosion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 Just checked the fuses this morning, all fine.The battery is definitely good, brand new and fully charged so it's not the battery.Which means the rectifier then? Expensive??How can I determine the fault ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 ok time for the daft questions Sure that its in Neutral ?Try starting it with clutch pulled in nexttry hholding down the starter button and try tapping the starter motor repeatedly (firmly ) ( use a block of wood or good solid screwdriver handle or the wooden handle of a hmmer etc )Check solenoid relay is working fine (located under tank from what i can gather)(when you pres starter button it should click ) take it off check contacts and replace back and try and then if still nto joy try gently tapping it when operating starter buttonWhen it died did it die slowly or did it die quickly ( just wondering did engine lock up thats all )try putting it in gear (5) and push the bike and let clutch out (get some momentum before doing this ) does it turn the engine once you canget it spinning the diagnosis of working out why it died will be easierreason for asking if wa snear stockport was stopped the other weekend to see if someone on a duc was ok as he had broken down just off the motorway and had similar problems to what your describing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 ok another test to see if its starter motor if you can see the starter cable ( large thick cable)that connects to the starter and where it connects to the starter and you can access this with a jump lead or suitable cable ( heavy guage) connect wire to starter connection and then touch other end to the battey positive ( or if nt possibel to connect wire to starter connect wire to batetry positive and then use the other end carefully to touch the connection on starter motor (but be careful of th erisk of earthing out on casing etc )if that turns the starter motor that is one item off the check list and its trace back from there if it doesnt turn the engine ...i would suggestgetting the starter motor looked at or if you can find a spare one to test with ( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jixerman Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 No Ideas what it might be but was wonderingWhats the reliability like on Dukes compared to other brands generally? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 wow quick response!answers...Sure that its in Neutral ?> YESTry starting it with clutch pulled in > NO DIFFERENCEWhen it died did it die slowly or did it die quickly ( just wondering did engine lock up thats all )> INSTANT POWER LOSS at 70MPH, IGNITION LIGHTS CAME ON, ENGINE DID NOT LOCK UP BUT I PULLED CLUTCH IN ANYWAY AND COASTED TO HARD SHOULDERWILL TRY OTHER SUGGESTIONS TOMORROW WHEN I HAVE MORE TIME Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 no worries and have to ask silly questions sometimes as the old saying goes if you assume sometimes it makes and ass out of you and me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollazuki Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 Look at the front of the frame. Part way up you will see the reg-rec unit(alloy with cooling fins)the wiring lays across the top of it in a wonderfull muck and water trap.Unbolt it(10mm either side?!?!?) remove the unit, and clean or replace the bullet connector its connected with.You may be onto a winner now, or you might have to replace the unit.When you replace it, clean up the frame and the back of the unit and copper slip it all over the back, and re-route the wires in an up/down fashion and lather them in silicon grease.Thats my guess......Rolla Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Guys I didnt have time yesterday to try out all your excellent suggestions, but let me just say in advance many thanks for your kind responses. With your help I'm sure this problem can be cracked... more ltrz... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 i dont think its reg/rec might be worth taking all fairing off and checking wiring connectors give them a wobble one by one while holding the starter button Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 UpdateHave had a look at the bike again today, checked out the reg/rec unit and wiring all looks to be firm and everything around the unit is clean and dry. Checked all other wiring for sturdiness of fitting etc, can't see anything obvious. I would hate to replace the unit and then find out it is actually ok. I've made that mistake already by buying a new battery when there was no need.There is a single wire which appears to connect to what looks like the starter (right hand side of engine). It's quite a thin wire and underneath the protective rubber cover it connects via a small plastic connector. I didn't have a jumplead (or indeed the guts) to connect this direct to the positive terminal of the battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 UpdateHave had a look at the bike again today, checked out the reg/rec unit and wiring all looks to be firm and everything around the unit is clean and dry. Checked all other wiring for sturdiness of fitting etc, can't see anything obvious. I would hate to replace the unit and then find out it is actually ok. I've made that mistake already by buying a new battery when there was no need.There is a single wire which appears to connect to what looks like the starter (right hand side of engine). It's quite a thin wire and underneath the protective rubber cover it connects via a small plastic connector. I didn't have a jumplead (or indeed the guts) to connect this direct to the positive terminal of the battery. the wire that connects to the starter motor carrying the required power should be a thickish cable .If possible take some pictures ...not sure of duc starting procedures what is normal starting procedure eg do you need to pull in clutch ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Pic attached of cable to starter I always clutch in for startDuke Starter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cossie916 Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 You don't need the clutch in to start, but it doesn't matter if you do! As already mentioned if its not a rectifier its more than likely one of the large connectors that connect the loom to the ECU. Check there is no corrosion in those and if there is give em a good WD 40ing! (Not sure where they are on an SS I'm afraid!)Do you know anyone with a Ducati nearby that may have a rectifier you can try? They are a doddle to swap over. Just check the code on the face to make sure its the same type (I think most are the same anyway!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I've actually taken some video of what happens when I try to start the bike, but not sure if video file attachments are allowed here. Although I see there is a youtube link so I may post this up on youtube later. What I can say is that when the starter button is pressed, you can also hear a high pitched ascending whine. Not sure what this is.I must also mention that this bike has gone through THREE alternators in the past. However, even if the current alternator had developed a fault, surely it wouldn't make any difference to the start process? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Here you go... video evidence!"> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Finally, it all becomes apparent.Tried to bump start the bike, back wheel locks when clutch released. i.e. engine seized.Removed the spark plug from the rear cylinder, and discovered it was totally trashed. i.e. head on collision with valve buy the looks of it. First thoughts, cambelt has snapped.Removed cambelt cover. Cambelt intact, but also when removing the cover a circular piece of metal fell out. Haven't checked the haynes manual yet to see what this is but suspect it played an integral part in keeping the cambelt running in position. Can only think that the belt has slipped therefore wrecking the internals of the engine.Now have to decided whether it's possible (and financially viable) to rebuild, or scrap the bike, which will be a real shame.Thanks again everyone for your valuable input on this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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