Went out last week for my first ride of the year on my 749s ... After 20 miles, I pulled up for 10 mins to give my poor wrists and back a rest and then the bike wouldn't re-start for about 30 mins although it did eventually ! Rode home about 10 miles and all was fine. Planned to take the bike out again this afternoon but it wouldn't start at all. Checked all the normal signs (as best you can) but I am drawn towards fuel starvation... bike cranks OK but there is no smell of excessive fuel after 2-3 mins of cranking, I would have expected something. I've check the fuel lines for pinching but all looked OK. Any thoughts ??
If it's your first ride this year has it been stood a long time? Could be fuel filter or bad fuel. Steve
I would remove the front spark plug ( easiest to remove) and see if the plug is wet, if it is then probably fuel isn't the issue. If it's dry, then you know what direction to go looking. As Pegboy said, can you hear the pump whirring? If you can't, could be the fuel pump relay not working. Have you washed the bike recently?
Thanks for the responses..... a great help as always ! Will check the relay, I did notice the usual 'knocks and whurrs' sounded different today when I powered up the ignition. Where is the relay located ? Fuel good, I filled up last week but may have picked up some crud ! Will check the filter ... Haven't washed the bike other than rubbing down with a damp chamois Will remove the front plug to confirm theory Thanks again, Martyn
Bad news is, the relay is behind the heat shield, back side of the battery box. Just below the starter solenoid. Good news is, that once you find it, there is sufficient wire to move it to the top of the battery box to where there is a square rubber retainer that it will nicely slot into. This £1.90 part causes no end of problems !!!
I'll get the covers tomorrow night and have a poke around. Bl**dy annoying as i was working yesterday and was really looking for a spin out today. With Murray on the TV, the roads were deserted around here ! Daft question but do you know if the headlamps and fuel pump share the same relay. Just been looking on a US Ducati blog site and someone had indicated they were .... Cheers Thanks Chris ....
..... Story so far.... Removed the battery and cover revealing all the electrical relays and connectors behind the heat shield. Now need to work out which one is the fuel pump relay but I think I'll get there ! Before I stripped out, I cranked the engine for a few minutes and then removed the front plug and whilst it wasn't 'bone dry', it didn't look wet from excessive fuel leading me to think I'm still in the right tracks. Tomorrow I'll get the relay out and see if I can see anything. Given that Ducati Coventry is only 10miles away, I'll get a new relay if not to eliminate this as the source of the 'no start'... Once again, thanks for help again ....
Cranks ok and the voltmeter indicates a healthy charge. I keep the bike on an optimate and the battery is only three years old so it doesn't feel this is the root cause. However, I'll keep this on the radar for the time being. Thanks ....
Sounds very like the fuel pump relay. The headlight relay is identical so you can swap them to try a 'new' one.
If you get stuck I have some extracts from the workshop manual showing the electrical layouts, fuel relay etc.
Update... Bought a new FP relay from Duc Cov and fitted this evening ... Still won't start although I can now clearly hear (and feel) the relay clickinging away when I fire up the ignition! Cranked for a couple of mins and then checked the front plug for fouling or dampness but plug was dry and clean. Now totally bewildered and thinking about next steps but I am still wondering about fuel starvation. What are the probabilities of the filter clogging up ? Dont really want to take the tank off but will do if this is a sensible next thing to do... Any thoughts ....
Question ..... When you turn the ignition on and the FP relay clicks into action, should I be able to hear the fuel pump prime and pressurise the system. Does on my other bike and it's bloody loud but I can't remember if the 749 is silent ....
Quite a few of us have had starting issues with our 749/999 bikes. Symptoms have included bike cranks over but does not start. After going through the elimination process (ie changing relays etc), it was found that by running an earthing lead from the -ve terminal of the battery to the starter motor bolt towards the centre of the engine (there are 3 but only one of the bolts is visible) the bike would start like a good 'un. 1st time every time.
Can the priming noise be heard and felt coming from the pump module flange at the rear (underside) of the tank ?
Been out to check again and when I switch on the ignition, there is NO SOUND from the pump. Complete silence !!!
