I rode on Saturday and everything was fine. One of the buddies I was riding with pointed out my brake light wasn't working. So today I changed the bulb (and figured out the brake fuse was blown) I haven't replaced the fuse yet, but the bike should still start without the fuse right? I tried a couple different bulbs; as I wanted to upgrade to brighter bulbs (all of them were after market versions of "1157" ---one of the bulbs I tried was the right size, but it wouldn't turn and I tried using a screwdriver to make it turn. I tried to be careful, but did I "short" something? Is it possible I drained the battery while trying to get the bulbs to work? The lights come on when the key is in the park position, so the battery has some life in it right? I would try push starting it, but it is rainy and nasty outside.
When I turn the key on, I hear the fuel pump priming, but do not see the gauges sweep or see anything light up on the dash i.e. oil light, neutral, temperature, mileage etc etc.
Also, I do not think it is related, but I should mention, that I fooled with this tail light / brake bulb while I was waiting on my oil to drain in the middle of an oil change. I did get the oil / temp sensor wire (or whatever wire that is) back on the bolt in front of the oil screen.
arghh. please help. I'm frustrated. What should I be checking?
did you check your fuses before posting this?
I think the tail light fuse is also the fuse for the gauges. ive blown that fuse 2 times when i didnt cover the wires properly after a tail chop. My rearlights werent on, and my guages were dead, but the immbolizer was still on.
The fuses are good. The brake one was definitely bad, but I have now replaced it. I didn't think the battery was dead because I figured if there was enough power for the lights there should be enough to sweep the gauges, but I went and bought a battery charger anyway (I needed a maintainer, so now I have a charger that is also a maintainer). Anyway, the battery is good and the gauges still will not wake up.
The bike was fine before I replaced the tail/brake bulb and changed the oil --- What did I do? Arghhh.
Does it turn on now that you know the battery is in good condition? Is it just the gauges?
no, it still will not turn on. With key on, and run on, it doesn't even try. Nothing happens when I press the start button.
Gauges do not light up. Battery is good. Fuses are good.
What do you mean you jammed a screw driver in to make the bulb turn? I think this might be a bad practice in the future. The easiest way to get a brighter taillight is to go with LEDs. Those 1157 bulbs, in any variety, aren't all that great.
As far as it not turning on, quadruple check the main fuse, and maybe replace it as an experiment. There's the ones under the fuse cover, and then I got another big one by the battery/airbox.
Unplug anything else while you are tinkering? Such as the right hand switch? Think back. Also, any wild movements with your hand, such as those that might produce busted knuckles? If so, you might have nicked a wire or connector somewhere.
Quote from: ato memphis on December 07, 2009, 02:46:50 PM
What do you mean you jammed a screw driver in to make the bulb turn? I think this might be a bad practice in the future.
hahaha. I didn't "jam" it in... but used it to keep the bulb from spinning inside of the socket. I bought an LED bulb (for an 1157 replacement).
Anyway, good news is I got it working. I didn't think it was any other fuses because they all looked good. I replaced the tail light fuse (I especially didn't think that was the problem because the tail light worked when i put the key in the parked position) but anyway, I replaced the taillight fuse in addition to the brake light fuse I replaced earlier, and the gauges came to life and the bike started right up.
I would post a picture of the fuse, but it's not worth the trouble because it would be a picture of a perfectly good fuse --- just goes to show you that a fuse may blow, but still look fine.
That was frustrating... Thanks for your help everyone!
..... Okay now I guess I have to deal with draining the oil and taking the side panel off the engine and finding what caused the big piece of metal to come out when I changed my oil (see my other thread). I was going to ignore it because nothing has been wrong with my bike.... but everyone says not to ignore it, and I know they are right. I just hate to open up a can of worms.
Its no can of worms. You can take it to a shop or local independent duc mechanic who should be able to do such a repair on the cheap.
CA-Cycleworks supplies gaskets so you don't have to try to use goop if you aren't into that. Commonwealth Motorsports has an online part finder for newer bikes (2000+) and are a great vendor, as is Ducati Seattle, and don't forget about your local shop again.
You aren't far from me and I'd be happy to help you out (I'm in Dallas), but Austin has a pretty good bit of Ducati stuff, and Ducatisti that you'll be fine if you need some helping hands.
Thanks! I will give a shout out on the THCM board if I get stuck or if I get it off and can't figure out where the broken piece came from. I am new and haven't made any "Ducati friends" yet, but it seems like a great group so I am sure someone would help me if it came to that. I'm hoping once I get the cover off it will be obvious and that the local dealer will have whatever spring or 'what-not' that is broken in stock and that I will be able to put my bike back together quickly.
I am very glad I got the bike to start tonight though. It will make sleeping easier. :D
Thanks for your help / encouragement.