Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: Mikkel67 on March 30, 2010, 09:37:31 AM

Title: my s4r will not start..
Post by: Mikkel67 on March 30, 2010, 09:37:31 AM
Hi

My s4r 2005 will not start. I don't know why. After I changed the clutch it started up just fine. But I did not let it run as much as I probably should. After that I have had no luck. I have charged the battery for many hours, but it goes round very slowly. Then today I bought a new battery and charged it for half hour before I tried to start it. It was closer to starting, but no luck. The bike have been idle for about half a year now. I have never had any trouble starting it earlier.

I have changed spark plugs. The oil warning light sometimes comes on, but I can see that there is enough oil on it. I also know that there has been no oil drip from the bike. I want to change oil now, but I have to start it and make it run warm first. Any idea?

The only thing i have changed except from the clutch is that i put on a full exhaust. But again, it started fine after all this at first
Title: Re: my s4r will not start..
Post by: junior varsity on March 30, 2010, 10:02:33 AM
Your gas is crap, almost without a doubt.  - 6 months means its pretty much gunk now.

If you have a bucket, and a drill pump attachment (we used to use them to evacuate the oil sumps on jet skis), you can pump the gas out through the filler. Don't know what the underside of an S4 looks like, but on my M900 there's a bolt you can use to drain the gas.

Anyhow, drain that stuff. Fresh gas, and at this point - a fresh fuel filter, should be step 1.
Title: Re: my s4r will not start..
Post by: ducpainter on March 30, 2010, 11:27:17 AM
He doesn't have ethanol where he lives, but it's still a good bet that fuel could have deteriorated in 6 months time.

I'd pull the plugs and check/clean them and try some fresh gas also
Title: Re: my s4r will not start..
Post by: junior varsity on March 30, 2010, 11:40:45 AM
Yeah, even without ethanol, there's a pretty good chance its varnished or whatever. In my book of "do the cheap things first..", that's where I'd start.
Title: Re: my s4r will not start..
Post by: Speeddog on March 30, 2010, 12:06:39 PM
Do as ducpainter suggested, and charge that new battery for at least overnight.

Then give it a try.
Title: Re: my s4r will not start..
Post by: Mikkel67 on March 30, 2010, 12:32:55 PM
Hi,

thanks for all tips. I feel that batt is still low. At least it turns slowly. At the dealers they said to only charge the NEW batt for 1 hour. I did so, but only have a small batt charger. I am a little bit scared of charging it more because i don`t have a smart charger.

I think it will be difficult for me to remove the petrol inside the engine. I have replaced the spark plugs. And i had little fuel on the tank so i have put some more literes on it. But it still have little. will it help if i full it completely?

is there different types of MC-chargers for different types of bikes?
Title: Re: my s4r will not start..
Post by: ducpainter on March 30, 2010, 02:57:20 PM
Quote from: Mikkel67 on March 30, 2010, 12:32:55 PM
Hi,

thanks for all tips. I feel that batt is still low. At least it turns slowly. At the dealers they said to only charge the NEW batt for 1 hour. I did so, but only have a small batt charger. I am a little bit scared of charging it more because i don`t have a smart charger.

I think it will be difficult for me to remove the petrol inside the engine. I have replaced the spark plugs. And i had little fuel on the tank so i have put some more literes on it. But it still have little. will it help if i full it completely?

is there different types of MC-chargers for different types of bikes?
It may help if after you get the battery charged you cycle the key several times to get fresh fuel near the injectors.

It won't help much to add more. I think the problem is mostly related to the battery. The bike should spin over...have you checked all your cables?
Title: Re: my s4r will not start..
Post by: Ddan on March 30, 2010, 03:00:01 PM
If it's still slow cranking with a good battery, you may have a bad connection somewhere.  Don't forget to check the grounds, too
Title: Re: my s4r will not start..
Post by: DucHead on March 30, 2010, 03:12:56 PM
Check the ground wire that fastens to the engine case on the right side.
Title: Re: my s4r will not start..
Post by: Mikkel67 on March 30, 2010, 09:31:20 PM
How do i check the cables?`Sorry for the stupid question, but i have noe idea..
Title: Re: my s4r will not start..
Post by: Ddan on March 31, 2010, 02:04:15 AM
Disconnect, clean and reconnect.  You may want to carefully check the starter lead as well, but when you do make sure you don't let the stud the wire is attached to turn or you will break it off inside the starter.
Title: Re: my s4r will not start..
Post by: Mikkel67 on March 31, 2010, 07:56:16 AM
Hi,

Today sad development:

After charging my new batt the bike turned faster, but didnt ignite. (Just a little bit couging). When i add more choock it turns slower. What i did was:

1. Checked that the spark plugs had spark

2. Checked that the batt had more than 13. volt at the dealers

3. Loosened the wires for grounding and the wires to the relay to the start engine.

4. After (probably bad) advice from the dealer i short surcease the wires in the relay. I did not work. And after this the relay only make a sparking sound when i try to start it the normal way. The bike does not turn any more.   

Now i probably have to buy a new relay and still i dont know if this will fix the problem. Help is wanted and certainly needed!
Title: Re: my s4r will not start..
Post by: abby normal on April 01, 2010, 04:29:54 AM
my S4R has always been very sensitive to battery charge.  so much so that at times i have
taken a different bike when i knew i was stopping and would have to re-start the bike miles
from home.  
Title: Re: my s4r will not start..
Post by: Major Slow on April 01, 2010, 06:35:55 AM


You only need 3 things for an engine to fire (a little more to run). First you need spark... if you have checked and you get a reasonable spark you need to see if you are getting the other 2 things ,fuel and air. I assume that you are getting air so why not concentrate on fuel. Check the entire fuel system. Start with the fuel filter. make sure the return line and delivery line are hooked to the proper flanges. make sure the injectors are delivering fuel if they aren't check the injector relay. make sure the injectors are not plugged.

if you are getting fuel, spark and air it will fire. It might backfire it might not start but it will fire.