You mean like the German dealer you mean, well that worked wonders didn't it? I'm on your side on this one as unless you take your bike to some who is a proper mechanic/electronics whizz your going to get a 'plugitintothediagnosticscomputersaysitstheheadlightbulbsidestandtripswitch' service.
Look into hiring a van for a one-way trip to back to the UK and bring it home yourself - companies do exist that do that, usually the larger ones I believe. I have seen previous posts where guys have done exactly that. Having had a minor accident last year in Italy that meant that although the bike was fine, I was not, I was damn glad that I had Euro breakdown cover with repatriation included for the bike and good travel insurance for me. As has been said, insurance is always a gamble, but invariably you'll need it if you don't take it out . . .
This will turn out to be a failure of the physical layer...the copper wires. Unfortunately the dash, ignition and ECU all have to be connected to get the bike to run. There are lots of other parts on the bus that could have failed (may have...but unlikely) . You need to have the bike in failed mode, then start moving the loom, remove the seat and push n pull the wires/ connectors. See if any of this has an effect. Pay special attention to around the steering stock and under the seat. Changing the LOOM will surely sort this out as you'll discover the actual fault during the works.
FURTHER UPDATE! So, after some checking of wiring. unplugging an re-plugging and re-setting of system (disconnect battery), the problem has now disappeared. I turned off both DTC and ABS then re-introduced them one at a time to see if I could narrow the problem down to one area but in fact, even when all systems were turned back on, the problem has vanished. The one thing both breakdowns have had in common is that the bike was left outside overnight in the rain. So I'm guessing, as was originally guessed at by one poster, it's damp ingress somewhere. What are my options? I'm thinking a start would be to spray all visible leads under seat etc with some good damp-sealant spray. Anyone got any recommendations?
You don't need to spray any connections. They are all "state of the art" Lucas style, as used on BMW, Audi, Porsche etc etc. A single connector could cost £10 a set at trade prices...!!! I've all the kit to make up these connectors up to 6-way. I've used them with 36V underwater 100% of the time...great connectors. They are 100% waterproof, above IP67, only a jet wash could force water in. That said are they connected correctly? The switchgear on the handle bars may not be as good. Perhaps some quality cleaner then contact lubricate (see RS Components or CPC etc). I think you've got a crushed wire (intermittent open circuit or shorting to another). Spraying WD40 or such like into the connectors WILL shorten their working life. I'm not sure what o-rings have been used on the wires and mating surfaces of the connectors. They may not be WD40 proof.
Yyyyyeah…but what about those days when I'm riding in the rain and then park it up? I'll be covering IN the water, right? Not a real solution Bradders but I suspect you're being sarcy anyway!
With a bike sat out in the rain I can only think the water can get in around the steering area, switch gear and dash. Q. Has someone done a bad job wiring in a heated seat, Sat Nav or phone charger etc? The BBS (as called by others), ecu and SES are all well protected under the seat.
This is a bit depressing as basically you're saying is replace (or certainly check every wire and connector on) the loom….:-(
Mr Firebladeboy where in the UK are you? Have you got any electronics mates (with a scope etc). It would be worth scoping the CAN BUS to see what is happening to the data packets when the cables are wiggled. Is the battery good? and loads of other insulation type tests. In any event good luck...I know what it feels like when something like this lets you down and no one seems to know why.
Sorry...but yes. That's not many and a great deal cheaper than a new loom and ecu's etc. Once the front faring and covers are off 95% are easily accessible.
AirConTechnical: Nothing new done on the bike in regards to electrics. Same old stuff there's always been. No heated seat, charger wiring or anything like that.
Bradders: Could be I suppose. Maybe my wiggling of assorted wires and connections has temporarily fixed the problem. Bugger, this is going to be a bitch to track down!
@AirConTechnical : I'm down in Wales, Bridgend. I don't have any mates with scopes of the necessary electronics expertise I'm afraid. I'm toying with the idea of acquiring a new loom and replacing it myself but I'm thinking there may be special initialization procedures for the ECU's etc if i remove them. A quoted Eight hours labour in a Ducati dealer may take me a few weeks to do, on and off ….winter project maybe!? ` When are they going to do a Haynes Manual for the Mutley??! :-D
I think the switch gear on our bikes is not the best for standing up to the elements And as the above problems seem to be related to the bike getting a soaking in the rain, that would be my guess... I opened up my switches and gave them a good clean with contact cleaner, dried them, then filled them up with silicon electrical grease like this. Molykote Dow Corning DC4 Silicone Electrical Compound Grease Lubricant NEW They feel a lot better to operate, and I've not had any issues since, touch wood!! When you open them up you will see how easy the contacts can be open to the elements
@Boomer Thanks for that. I'm not sure damp in the switches themselves would give the symptoms I'm getting though you never know. What I might do is open every electrical connector and do that with them, checking for damage as I go. If that doesn't do it or reveal anything, then I'll try the switches too. If THAT doesn't do it, it'll be time to part-ex the Mutley for a nice fully Ohlins'd Diavel I've had my eye on!!
Words of one syllable suit me aircon Google an auto electrician, maybe they can help, or long shot a fiat specialists as many of the parts seems to come from the same sources!
