Took my Ducati 996 Biposto out of the garage at the weekend. It fired up first touch of the starter - well pleased. I let it warm up a bit and then changed the engine oil and filter. Finally gave it a wash - using a power washer round the engine. Then it refused to start. It cranks ok and will fire using easy start down the air intake but will not run off the petrol. The fuel pump relay appears to be working and I can see petrol swirl around when ignition on and petrol cap open. Any ideas - thnaks ???
Pressure washer on a 25 years old Italian bike? You’ve managed to force water pretty much everywhere you don’t want it: Connectors, switches, sensors, fuses. Water conducts electricity so there’s likely a short somewhere… You need to use compressed air to dry every nook and cranny, undo every connector, etc. Once dry, use dielectric grease to seal them from humidity (not even talking about water…).
If you can see petrol swirling around inside the tank, are you sure the pipes are still connected to the pump?
pretty sure its all ok in there - it looks like brand new - absolutley no corrosion and better than previous Ducatis I've owned !
I would either give it a good blow down with a compressor or dryer if u have 1, paying close attention to all the electrical connections and leave it a while to dry well, in the sun if its out. It does sound very much like water has gotten somewhere. I would never pressure wash a modern bike never mind an older 1 and more so round the engine which is covered in electrical connectors(not judging by the way). Give it a week to dry if not and go from there.
Thanks - i kept the water very localised to very bottom of engine/sump/side stand area - nowhere near headlight/tank/seat unit area and these were covered up. That said - it must be water in a connector somewhere - just strange it runs on easy start
Thanks Paul - see my other response - its been 2 days in a warm dry garage now and still the same. But I think your right - need ot get into the connectors - must be on the fuel pump side as it runs on easy start ! Kicking myself as it fired up having been parked up for about 6 months
Seen it pal yes. Water is very much an enemy of these bikes altho the later 996 bike were supposed to be better. Also am.just going by past events as to why it no longer runs, just points to water, ie it started ok washed it then won't run. Check your fuses as well and the pump 1's. Good luck with it tho, hope u sort it soon especially as it's coming upto summer.
Hi all - pump is fine - relays operating as they should - dried every connector I can see and nothing obvious wrong. However the neutral light does not operate - the bulb is fine. The switch is fine and checks out with a multimeter. I've read that this can be a problem with starting.
Try starting with the side stand up as i shouldn't if that's down. Also see if the side stand relay is faulty if that dosent work.
Hi Paul - its an American import - not side stand switch or clutch switch fitted. I know it seems a stretch but I'm begining to think the ECU might be faulty ?
If it's cranking then it's not the sidestand switch, neutral switch or small black sidestand relay. That combo comes before the Run switch. If you hear the pump prime then the HT coils should also be getting +12v, and so should the injectors, but via the knurled circular connector between the throttle bodies. I would check that, and also the connector from the crank sensor for moisture. Weak pulse to the ECU -> no sparks.
