998 Ducati 998 Testastretta No Start - Sorted!

I have been lurking this site for years--very useful info but never contributed. So I figured I would share some recent info. I have a 2002 998 (US Version). It had unfortunately sat a while after I had some problems with the relays. This COVID thing inspired me to return to the garage and work on my two Ducs (that and not being any where near a dealership, or a shop that wants to touch them).

The 1098 belt change/maintenance went well (although I think there are a few tips that aren't in the forums).

Back to the 998. It had been having intermittent starting issues,, which I traced tot he relay under the battery. But when I went back to address it, after draining the fuel, etc. I could not get it to start. The usual diagnostics didn't seem to help. Here is what it was doing:
- Bike "turned on" normally, dash lights, etc.
- Fuel pump primed (new relay seemed to work)
- Starter turned over (new battery and charger helping it along)
- Fuel injectors seemed to be working, as after cranking you could smell duel in the exhaust pipes
- Pulled front plug, no spark

I checked, cleaned, put dielectric on whatever connections I could find, starting with the obvious ones. The no spark was telling, but I wasn't sure if it was an issue, or that the ECU didn't like how I just ground the base of the plug to the frame. I had heard it was finicky.

I was 99% sure that the ECU might be toasted. But it did have some life in that the fans turned on briefly when the key was first turned. After looking at ECU options I re-checked the grounds. The only one I didn't check out was the one that goes from the loom/battery to the case at the rear of the transmission. In hindsight, the area gets road spray and grime from the rear wheel.

I decided to remove and re-attach it. But ducati put that very simple component in an impossible to reach location. One can barely fit a "L" shaped allen/hex wrench in the bolt, and witht he limited space it was almost impossible to loosen. But I was able to get it free, and hit it with contact cleaner. I did not completely remove the bolt, as I would have had a devil of a time getting it back on. Added some dielectric grease and low and behold if fired up. Now I can tackle the belts. If this note saves someone several hundred $s, or quid, I'll be even happier.

Regards, Matt (PS, I wonder if I should have put this in the 999 section for testastretta commonality.)

 

Thanks guys. There is a lot of experience embedded in this site. I suppose it is pretty basic but took me days to figure out. Now if only I could figure out how to disconnect the 40A fuse holder so I can take the battery holder box out! I am thinking the more stuff you get out of the way the easier it is to get to the belts...

Matt

 

Thanks Denzil, they certainly look beefier....

 

Thanks Paul, request sent to join.