Got some Italian flare problems....

Message

tommy · #1 Post by **tommy** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 7:15 pm

Howdy all! Quick question for everyone. Falcos having problems starting, donw it a few times now.
I'll turn the key, press the button, and nothing happens. Engine doesn't turn over, but there is a continous whirr whilst im holding the starter, similar sound to the fuel pump priming, but quieter, and the engine isn't cranking over.
If i keep pressing it though, it eventually springs into life cranks the engine over and starts.
Battey is fully charged.
Any help would be appricaited, as i dont want to get stranded on it, haha
Cheers guys, Tom

minime · #2 Post by **minime** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 8:14 pm

Did you check the starter relais?

If you know how to do it, bypass the relais and see if it starts quickly.
If so you have you culprit.

Nooj · #3 Post by **Nooj** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 8:27 pm

Could also be a loose ground connection somewhere, on the starter motor itself perhaps. You're definitely sure the battery is healthy are you?

Falcopops · #4 Post by **Falcopops** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:47 pm

Judging by the colour of your bike in your avatar it's a later model, so should have the improved sprag clutch, but it sound ominously like that.

From your description it sounds like the whirring is the starter spinning, which is permanently engaged with the sprag, but the sprag isn't engaging the motor.

You could try bypassing the starter solenoid by holding an expendable chunk of metal across the bolts on the bottom of the solenoid (watch out for sparks and molten metal) to see if it turns over.

Hope it's something simpler.

D-Rider · #5 Post by **D-Rider** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 10:13 pm

Yeah - my first thoughts are the same as Falcopops .... but I hope I'm wrong.

If it is the sprag well find you the link on the cheaper fix using compatible Ducati parts.

tommy · #6 Post by **tommy** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 12:13 pm

battery is new, and always charged. So heading towards the relay or sprag. Trouble is, its intermittent. So will have to try the relay when its playing up. Going to give whole electrical system a clean and tighten this afternoon, and hope it doesn't rear its head again.
Although the starter motor does sound like its spinning, just not turning the engine. If thats the case. I shall swear. lol
Cheer guys for the advise, will let you know how i get on

fastasfcuk · #7 Post by **fastasfcuk** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:08 pm

sounds like the solenoids not engageing.

GRFalco · #8 Post by **GRFalco** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:53 pm

fastasfcuk wrote:sounds like the solenoids not engageing.

Preparation-H, that's what you need for that.

tommy · #9 Post by **tommy** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:53 pm

Just cleaned battery terminals, gave em a good scrub. I then looked at the strater relay, one bolt was slightly corroded, so cleaned them and tightened them up, and then shat myself when the spanner toughed the other terminal, it really does spark doesn't it! lol
Anyway, bike started lovely, and hopefuly will stay like that.
But as a matter of course, I may change the relay for the yamaha one that I keep hearing about, anyone done this? If so, what one am I looking for?

Aladinsaneuk · #10 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 4:11 pm

The Yamaha relay part number is: 4KD-81-940-00

mine cost about 15 quid a year or so ago - works fine

minime · #11 Post by **minime** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 5:45 pm

tommy wrote:Just cleaned battery terminals, gave em a good scrub. I then looked at the strater relay, one bolt was slightly corroded, so cleaned them and tightened them up, and then shat myself when the spanner toughed the other terminal, it really does spark doesn't it! lol
Anyway, bike started lovely, and hopefuly will stay like that.
But as a matter of course, I may change the relay for the yamaha one that I keep hearing about, anyone done this? If so, what one am I looking for?

Huh?? I was actually right????

I do apologise...