My 1000DS got a good dose of rain on it the other night, too windy for the cover and I didn't know how critical it was to protect the instrument panel from water anyway I've noticed condensation inside the instrument panel that is starting to effect electrics. Indicators were flashing fast on one side this morning and now on both. (both bulbs are working btw). On the ride home tonight I noticed the indicator light on the instrument panel is always on too - not flashing but on permanently, dimly. I've given it a good heating up with a hair dryer just now and the condensations cleared from the panel but the indicator light is still on. What would you recommend? How easy is it the remove the instrument panel cover? Would be nice to dry it out fully or if not where should I point the dryer? Thanks for your help
Is that an SS-type or a Multistrada? I don't know the sportbike but if it's a Multi the dash will slowly die of condensation. It's rather common I'm afraid.
Cheers Figaro. It's a Multistrada, 2004, 1000DS. No way to dry it out? - aside from holding a hair dryer on it for hours? And if not what's the costs involved in replacing the instrument panel? And if I do fit a new instrument panel, any way to reset the clocks to match the actual mileage?
Give it a go, but I think the damage may already be done. There's a guy on Multistrada.net called Multigatto who sells secondhand clocks that are reset (and he can put you current mileage on them), but you're looking at £300-£400. I bought a set off ebay from a crash-damaged bike (the top cover was cracked but easily replaced) for £60 and found a guy in Norfolk who reset them to zero for £100, but I was taking a chance on the purchase. Turned out okay though. I'll try to find the guy in Norfolk's details for you.
I think they are the same clocks as used on the later Monsters. If so they can be taken apart from the back, just a couple of screws. I did mine real easy. Dried the insides out, then popped a couple of those silica gel packets inside, the sort you get in electrical items packing boxes.
From what I understand, once the pixel thingies start going it's all downhill from there, but by all means have a go at drying it out. If you get another set you'll have to get them reset anyway cos it needs to be paired to the ecu. Something technical like that, so I'm told.
Will give it a go Gilps, cheers. What happens when the panel fails btw Figaro? Is the bike still rideable, all be it with hand signals...
My old st3 instrument panel suffered with condensation. same as mutli i think. I got a tip from somebody, i drilled 2 very small holes in the back of the panel And it done the job. Although i think you ones have past that.
Take it off, bung it in a bag full of rice then stick the whole lot in your airing cupboard if you've got one. The rice draws the condensation out really quickly and you won't get any nasty little moisture traps in whichever corner is lowest. This worked for me after I dropped an iPhone in a muddy puddle completely submerging it. I also washed said iPhone in a stream to get rid of any silt before heading for home to go for the bag of rice trick and iPhones are notorious for going sulky if you even use them with wet hair. If it's a constant thing and the unit is always suffering from condensation then split it and find somewhere to tuck a couple of those little bags that you get when you buy a new camera or similar.
Possibly not. There's a transponder in the key which gets read by an aerial in the ingnition barrel. The info is passed to the ecu which also checks the clocks to make sure they are the ones which were coded to the bike initially. That's why you can't just stick used clocks on if yours fail. It's supposed to make the bike harder to part out or hotwire if stolen. In reality it just means a big bill for the owner when they fail as in theory you need to buy a new set. There's a company, I think they are called Scorpio over Norfolk/Suffolk way IIRC, that can repair clocks. They will even take your old readings and transfer them to a used set if needed. I've not used them but have read reports from a few satisfied customers.
Yep, that's the fella I mentioned earlier, very nice chap. Scorpio Electronics. Might be worth giving him a ring first.
I have been speaking to Mark their regarding matching the mileage if my current dash is changed under warranty, he is very helpful .
The 2013 Multi is the first Ducati with electronic clocks, where the milage data can be transfered to a new unit, in case of failure on the original one:smile:
Wonder if that means that they have just made the clocks less hassle to change, rather than sorting out the problem with PCB & earth fault ?
Sent the panel off to Scorpio Electronics, got back today all working now. For the price of a £2 bungie cord, to keep the cover on, was looking at a £950 bill for a new panel or having to wait a few weeks or months for a second hand one to come up on eBay. In the end only had to pay 120 quid. Thanks for the help
If you spot the slightest condensation in the clocks wip them off and split the case (look for the gaps round the edge and gently pry them apart) and leave in a warm+dry place overnight, reassemble with some silicone grease on the seal. It hasn't happened recently to me since I followed this method .....one of those Multi quirks Had my mileage input to both of my replacement clocks, 2003 Multi, once by Scorpio and one by Multigatto (he had to ask twice to make sure I wanted 55,000 on there):biggrin:
