Afternoon folks, I am new to the site as of yesterday and I would be grateful of your advice regarding an unusual electrical gremlin. Just picked up a 999s (2006) with 3k miles - showroom at the right money. I had one before so I knew this was a good thing regardless (I hope) of the following.... The headlight dipped/main beam don't work...might be bulb/fuse but in the case of the main beam, it works when you use the passing signal switch. The back light on the information screen/rev counter don't work.The break light works as do the indicators and this is where it gets more interesting...the back light on the display screens flash on an d off in tandem with the indicator (left side) but not the right.... Before I start digging, any possible quick or obvious solutions? Rgds G
If it was a car, I'd say check all bulbs and earth points. But, 999 has a sophisticated electrical loom, so, may be more involved than simple earths. As the bike is fresh from a showroom, consider taking it back and asking them to sort it. Sounds like they sold a bike not fit for the road, unless you bought it "sold as seen"
I didn't think they could use 'sold as seen' as a get out if bought from a shop? I'd try taking it back as a starter
Many thanks. It was a car showroom and they sold it for another garage pal. They said they 'hated having the thing in the shop and could not wait to get rid of it - bad for business!!'. They certainly seemed to know nothing about bikes...I had to interrupt and assist while 4 of them worked out how to get it off the paddock stand. It was u tube material. The bike had been in their back office for nearly 2 years unused and it was in pristine condition so I was happy to take a risk. Looking at MCN, Bike trader and Piston Heads, I estimate I got a €1,500 discount on average private sale prices (excluding importation VRT etc) so I figured new belts and service certainly, possibly fork seals and the electrics tidy-up. If get out with a €300 service bill tops, I am still laughing and I suspect the car dealers did not do much homework before fixing the price. I don't like electrics but I will have to learn! Many thanks. G
Garret I haven't checked but its quite common for the Flash button to have a different supply in the switch than the normal Hi/Lo function. If the light is working via the flash then its probably not an earth at least on the Hi Beam. First I'd check fuses, then have a look to see if the bike has any Lighting relays. If it does then check its seated and listen to see if it clicks when the lights normally come on. You could also probably check by swapping over another relay to ascertain if the relay is duff (ass-uming it uses relays for the lights) The flashing dash though does sound like an earth problem on the left side indicator. I am guessing a bit as I don't know the 999, but I think you have an earth issue with the LHS indicator and the headlight not coming on is a separate issue and isn't an earthing problem If you can guide me to a 999 wiring diagram I might be able to help some more John
John That is very good of you. I will check the fuse today (as I have not had time to go near the bike this week). If I have no joy i will certainly try and bag you a wiring diagram. Sincere thanks G
Hi Garret Yeah if you can find any pdfs or a website that's got one that would help if it starts to become more involved. No guarantees but it does mean I can be more specific when replying. I'd sort the headlamp first. Re the LH indicator, check to see if both connections are good at the indicator and the bulb and bulbholder are clean and the bulb properly seated. Again not sure of the setup but if you are in at the bulb try getting a temporary piece of wire and attach it to the engine, forks etc: if you use the frame make sure its onto bare metal to get a path. With the indicator on try touching the wire to the bulbholder case (usually the positive is up the center and the case is the return) and see if that stops the flashing dash. Alternatively you could measure the resistance between the case and a good ground point (engine etc. If its good it will only be a few Ohms, if its bad it should be higher. I think whats happening is the indicator bulb is finding a path to ground via the panel somehow and that's why its flashing. Usually when its a bad earth to the indicator bulb will not be as bright as normal either, as the path to ground is going through other resistances and therefore the bulb isn't getting the full volts drop across it. I'll check periodically to see if you post, that's about all I got off the top of my head John
Old Jock I can't send you a wiring diagram which I have as it's a p.d.f document and I can't work out how to send it, but you should be able to look at one here: ducati 999 wiring diagram - Google Search Hope that's of some help.
Hi John Cheers for that, saves me making a complete fud of myself. Hopefully might help Garret too............Appreciated John
Ok I managed to find a pdf of the workshop manual. It does use a lighting relay. I'll take a closer look at it tomorrow John
John Sincere thanks. It was very good of you to go to so much trouble with your last notes. I am going to try and have a go at the weekend. I will update you very early next week! Rgds Garret
No problem Garret. I checked the wiring diagram and it's how I thought the flash function is off a different supply in the switch than the headlight. First place I'd check is the fusebox for the lights. The lights have their own dedicated fuse, 15A. The flash takes it supply off of the same circuit as the horn and stoplight, 20A. So if you're lucky the reason for the lamps not working is nothing more complicated than a blown 15A fuse. John
Garret I have looked some more at the 999 wiring diagram. I don’t think the previous advice I gave you on testing the indicators will work due to the way they function. If it’s Ok I’ll try to explain what I see from the diagram The indicators, headlights and of course the dash backlight are all operated through the electronics within the dash module. So this problem is likely to be related to the dash wiring, the interface between the dash and ECU or the dash itself. Headlight Circuit The dash operates the pilot or coil circuit of the lights relay by grounding it. This energizes the load contacts on the lights relay. The power from the load contacts is then fed through the Hi/Lo switch and then onto the lights themselves. The flash function is not dependent on the dash module and takes its power directly from a line from the fusebox. Indicator Circuit This one is a bit different from what I am used to. Both LH & RH indicators are fed pulsed pos 12 directly from the dash and are earthed via the other side. The indicators are operated by the relevant sensing line from the dash being grounded via the switch. The dash detects when the indicator sensing line is taken to ground and feeds a pulsed pos 12 to the relevant bulb circuit. Checks to try First all the fuses, the lights use a 12A I believe they are located on the lights module. Check the earths are good and clean, including battery earth. Take a look at the loom going into the dash module. Disconnect it and check all the wiring and pins, especially pin 22, black wire, this is the ground for the dash module. You could also try grounding a temporary wire to the frame and then feed it to pin 22 and see if that eliminates the problem or makes the lights work. Next is the lights relay, its located inside the headlamp module, when the ignition is switched on listen at the module for it clicking, it should energize at ignition on and then will switch off after 60 seconds to disable the lights. If you don’t hear it then disconnect the plug into the dash and on the loom side, take a temporary wire to ground and touch it to the green/black wire on pin 20. If the relay is working then the lights will function. If none of this works I reckon you are looking at a fault inside the dash and either a replacement dash module (which opens a whole new can of worms) or get it to a Ducati dealer, I don’t know if a diagnostic module exists that can troubleshoot the dash module further. If the rest of the module is working and you can live it. An alternative would be to wire a switch to the lights relay to manually switch the lights on and off as you require. Just a thought!! Good Luck John
Ah yes....easily sorted.....complete ignition wiring loom burned out!!! I am amazed it was still able to get me home. €220 + vat for replacement. Not happy but could be worse. Sincere thanks again for all your assistance. I have left the bike to an expert to do swap out as transponders etc have to be migrated for same key use. I am getting great enjoyment out of the workshop guide...lots to learn!! Rgds G
Hi Garret So you got to the bottom of it and it wasn't the dash module which is what I was dreading it might be, that at least is something. Not a great result but at least its now getting sorted. No probs with the manual I just stumbled on it after a few searches. Glad to have been of assistance John
