The other thing to bear in mind is that the bike has to be in neutral as well. You probably knew that. I also pull the clutch as well when starting as every little helps. It does means that you can't bump start it. A real pain when it conks out when slowing down in traffic, knock into neutral and use the starter. nightmare and embarrasing. lapman
Can't bump start it? You definitely can, because I do (more or less beginning of every season after the winter lay-off.) I do have a decent hill to do it on. Have never run out of hill yet. Mine's a 2005 999.
Yes they changed sometime in 03 maybe it's the pre Production and very early03 models and associated ecu's
very interesting as mine won't start unless it's in neutral. late 2005 999R. I'll have to investigate a bit further
I can bump start mine but it won't start in gear with the clutch in . It's a pain when it stalls at junctions .
My last bike was an early 03 999S and it had it too. I have recently had issues with my 06 999 and one of the problems was the fuel pump selenoid . The other was dodgy cables from the battery to the starter selenoid and the earth cable to the engine . I ended up replacing all and everything was fine from there on but that was very intermittent too.
When you press the start button does it just go "click"? Mine had something similar and a better earth strap was fitted and worked a treat. Until I had it fitted getting fuel was a haphazard affair....
On mine (2005 749) it'll start in gear clutch in, stand up. If the stand's down it needs to be in neutral.
My May 03 does not have auto start, you also have to be sure that the microswitch on the clutch is working OK. The pin that activates the switch dropped out of the lever, so this did not function. you also have to check that the two bullet connectors the microswitch connects to the main loom are also OK. Duke
If the auto start dosent work on a 999 or 749 there is something wrong with it. They all had it from new. Anyone who thinks different must not of bought a new 999 or 749 in 2003 and do not know how they worked from new. If it dosent start from one push of the start button its faulty wether you like it or not.
Hi, I have had my bike from new in 03 and it has never had auto start. Here is the quote from the pre and post 2005 user manuals (courtesy of Danger Mouse) I've checked the owners manual for the 2003 & 2004 model and in the starting section it states: Never operate the electric start button more than 5 seconds at a time. If needed, allow 10 seconds before attempting to restart the engine. In the owners manual for the 2005 model it states: This model features servo-assisted starting. Press and immediately release the start button (3) to use the servoassisted engine starting function. When you press the button (3) the starter motor operates automatically for a MAX time determined by engine temperature. The system disengages the starter motor as soon as the engine starts. If the engine fails to start, wait at least 2 seconds before pressing the start button (3) again. Pretty clear I would say. Duke.
I always fire up in neutral why would you put it in gear ,when I used to use it on the roads if it stalled at lights or juntions I'd always bang it in neutral. Has the OP ever tried starting with a jump pack or jump leads as this can fry the ECU. I have done that desperatly trying to start bike in time to make startline, and it needed a replacment .
Hi I have been reading all you're comments but I have a weird problem, when I try to start my 2003 999 it just turns over and over but won't fire, I've had the starter out and have given it a good clean also cleaned all the cables and connections, and it has a new battery which is on trickle charge, but after several attempts to start it if I walk away in disgust but then return 5 mins later it starts I,m beginning to think it's the alarm as it's a data tool one and is now over ten years old any help will be greatly appreciated
Kage, If you hold the left-hand button down on the clocks whilst turning the ignition on it should show you any error codes present. My 2003 999S does this every winter, ignition on fine but engine warning light on and it won't turn over. I've found out that my 19.2 error relates to a faulty starter solenoid error (Short to earth). Seems there is a dodgy connection in the wiring somewhere, i fitted a new solenoid, then it worked fine (for a while), then the error came back, i've cleaned and filled all the connectors with WD40 and this then got a decent connection and i could start the bike. My 999S doesn't have the Auto-start feature on the starter, as suggested it must be a mapping thing, i have a re-mapped standard ECU. My Ducati manual also states that it is a post 2005 feature, so maybe it can be added with a re-map/ecu unlock?
