I just bought a 96 m900 in October. The gentleman I bought her from had told me that she sometimes wouldn't fire, but when I test drove the bike and for a couple weeks later, there was never a problem. All of a sudden I went to start her and the gauges wouldn't light up, and the startor wouldn't turn over. After turning the key off and then back on several times the gauges would light up and the bike would turn over and fire right up. The problem slowly started becoming more and more frequent till one day when the gauges wouldn't light up no matter how many times I turned the key and cursed at her. I hooked the bike up to the truck to jump start her and after a quick couple seconds the gauges lit up and the bike fired up. The solution would usually work for a couple days then I would have to do it all over again. Today the weather was fantastic and I finally had a day off after working twenty days straight. I threw on my jacket, grabbed the tented visor and headed out to go for a short ride. To little surprise the bike wouldn't light up or turn over. I tried jumping the bike with no success, I turned the truck on for a little more juice and still nothing. When I turn the key I can hear a something ticking a single time under my seat by the fuse box, but nothing else. My running light and license plate also went out about four rides ago, but break light works fine. I'm note sure if that has anything to do with it or not. I have no idea what to look for or what to do. I need help and soon. ??? [bang]
Thank y'all
There's a ground wire hiding behind the rear cylinder... check to see if it is snug.
Check and clean the battery , solenoid, starter and ground (3?) connections. Make sure you don't let the stud on the starter turn when you do that one. If that doesn't fix it have the battery load tested.
I've had a battery so dead (in truck) that it wouldn't start the vehicle even with a good jump.
Alternator?
There are some relays under the seat next to the fuse panel.
On your bike one is the turn signal flasher, and the other smaller one is the main relay. It sounds like the main relay is acting up.
First check the battery connections. Since the problem is no longer intermittent, clean them. Disconnect negative first, connect negative last.
To test the relay ducpainter mentioned, disconnect it. Now apply battery voltage to terminal 85. Hook an ohmmeter on low scale across terminal 87 and 30. You should read infinity. Now ground terminal 86. The ohmmeter should now read very close to 0. Alternative: Jump terminal 87 and 30 at the connector. With the key on the bike should now start since you have bypassed the relay. Bike now starts, replace relay. Bike doesn't start, make sure you have voltage at connector 87.
While the relay is out check for power at terminal 85. No power? Ignition switch or wiring between switch and the relay.
Where are the relays at?
Under the seat. The two prong relay that clicks when the directionals are on is the flasher. The other one is the main relay.
Quote from: ducpainter on December 17, 2012, 06:02:26 AM
There are some relays under the seat next to the fuse panel.
On your bike one is the turn signal flasher, and the other smaller one is the main relay. It sounds like the main relay is acting up.
Reading is fundamental... ;D
Haha sorry I was trying to read the post on my iPhone as fast as possible before my boss realized I wasnt "Working" 8) I will def look into that. Would that cause the rear running lights to go out also??
no, but Ducati's version of "electrical engineering" is kind of special. check the fuses, also. By check, I mean pull them out, inspect and re-install the ones that are still good.
Quote from: mxgrant185 on December 18, 2012, 07:07:24 PM
Haha sorry I was trying to read the post on my iPhone as fast as possible before my boss realized I wasnt "Working" 8) I will def look into that. Would that cause the rear running lights to go out also??
The wiring for the taillights can get pinched by the seat
Quote from: Ddan on December 19, 2012, 02:34:54 AM
The wiring for the taillights can get pinched by the seat
Also the contacts in the lamp itself are less than perfect. They're visible from the top when you look down.
I have a feeling it's that my battery is shot. I took the terminal off and cleaned it. Then did a jump from the truck. I rode the bike for about an hour. Turned it off to put some gas in. And she lit up and started fine. This damn Missouri weather is hell on batteries. 105degrees in the summer, cool rain in the fall, freezing winters and tornatic springs. Does anyone have an idea as to why my neutral light stays on constantly?
Either the switch is bad or the wire is touching ground.