Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: ANedelka on March 30, 2013, 06:02:19 PM

Title: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: ANedelka on March 30, 2013, 06:02:19 PM
While out enjoying this lovely northeast weather today my bike (07 s2r 800) died. The motor just cut out and that was it. Bike was pretty cold at the time, maybe 130 degrees. When i tried to restart it you would just hear it crank for 15-20 seconds and then stop trying. It never even sputtered.

For mods to this bike it has the tmp beast intake and i'm running just the udders for an exhaust. Some wires have been moved for aesthetics but nothing major.

Any advice or opinions as to what could be at fault would be appreciated. Could it be a coil pack or a clug in the fuel pump?

Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: scaramanga on March 30, 2013, 06:19:02 PM
can you hear the pump whirr for a couple of seconds when you turn the ignition on?
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: ANedelka on March 30, 2013, 08:39:28 PM
Yes it whirs every time
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: Gimpy on March 31, 2013, 01:35:18 AM
Smarter more experienced people will answer, but in the mean time I'll chime in with what I would do.

The first thing I would try is to spray a little bit of starter fluid into the airbox and see if it would start. Even if it is significantly easier to start that might indicate a fueling problem.

If that has no effect I would pull he spark plugs and look them over.  If they are really black and greasy or white and chalky it could indicate ....  well and issue with your air/fuel ratio.

With the plugs out I would test for spark.  lay the plug close to a bit of grounded bare chassis or body metal, have someone crank the engine and watch to see if it sparks.  I have shocked myself several times trying to start the bike while holding the spark plug in place.  It hurts a little so its best to have a friend help out with this.

In the unlikely event that you are not suspicious of something already. I would check the airbox, filter, and anything else that you may have touched recently.


Good luck!
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: ducpainter on March 31, 2013, 07:31:31 AM
You mention the Northeast...

as mentioned check your airbox...for mouse nests.

When was the last time the fuel filter was changed?

If you stored your bike with ethanol fuel in the tank and no fuel stabilizer it could be a water issue.

If you use ether/starting fluid...be careful.
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: ANedelka on March 31, 2013, 01:20:13 PM
Running cones instead of an air box so it's mouse free. Just tried to start it after leaving it for the night and it started instantly. What could cause it to do that? Would it still be the same issues?
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: Speeddog on March 31, 2013, 01:26:16 PM
Do you specifically remember hearing the fuel pump 'priming' when you were trying to start it right after it quit?

There are two small relays mounted on the left side of the battery tray, if the one that supplies the fuel pump & ECU goes bad, you get the 'crank but no start'.
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: ANedelka on March 31, 2013, 02:38:46 PM
I'm about 90% sure I heard it whir when I tried to start it after it died. When it started today I rode it a few minutes to park it somewhere safer and it died on the way. When I tried to restart it it started but grew sluggish in its idle almost instantly. I had to leave it revving a bit higher to keep it going. Does that seem more like a fueling issue?
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: ducpainter on March 31, 2013, 06:26:35 PM
Check the tank vent tube. If that's OK...Change your fuel filter.

If the filter hasn't been changed in the past 5K change it anyway.
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: Howie on March 31, 2013, 07:04:03 PM
While you are in there changing the filter carefully check the hoses.  If they are bad they must be replaced with hose rated 30R10 (submersible and ethanol resistant).
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: ANedelka on March 31, 2013, 07:38:25 PM
Which tube is the vent tube and what should I be looking for in it? Is it one of the main two hoses that are running from the bottom of the tank? I know the fuel filter hasn't been changed in the past 5k at least. Is it located inside the tank on the s2r?
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: ducpainter on March 31, 2013, 08:14:01 PM
Quote from: ANedelka on March 31, 2013, 07:38:25 PM
Which tube is the vent tube and what should I be looking for in it? Is it one of the main two hoses that are running from the bottom of the tank? I know the fuel filter hasn't been changed in the past 5k at least. Is it located inside the tank on the s2r?
The vent tube is one of the smaller diameter hoses that runs from the bottom of the tank down behind the motor. They can kink and the tank cant vent stopping fuel flow.

The filter is inside the tank. It is accessed by removing the flange on the bottom of the tank. Buy a new flange o-ring also just to be safe.

Quote from: howie on March 31, 2013, 07:04:03 PM
While you are in there changing the filter carefully check the hoses.  If they are bad they must be replaced with hose rated 30R10 (submersible and ethanol resistant).
No hose like on the older FI bikes on a tank with the bottom flange. ;)
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: ANedelka on March 31, 2013, 08:22:14 PM
So the flange you're speaking of is that bottom assembly where the main hoses are coming out of? Where's a good location to purchase the fuel filter?

Also, it doesn't seem like there IS a vent hose on here (I bought it used) if the location I think it is. There's a nipple on the bottom left side with no hose coming off of it.
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: ducpainter on March 31, 2013, 08:32:39 PM
Quote from: ANedelka on March 31, 2013, 08:22:14 PM
So the flange you're speaking of is that bottom assembly where the main hoses are coming out of? Where's a good location to purchase the fuel filter?

Also, it doesn't seem like there IS a vent hose on here (I bought it used) if the location I think it is. There's a nipple on the bottom left side with no hose coming off of it.
Yes, it's attached with 6 or eight nuts. The filter on the S2R has a ground strap. I'm not certain it's absolutely necessary, but all the techs I know only use the Ducati OEM filter for liability reasons. I don't know if any of our sponsors sell the OEM filter and o-ring.

There should be two nipples. One is a vent, and one is a drain from the cap area.

While no real harm will come from the hoses not being there I'd probably run them. If you have no charcoal canister, you can remove the little rubber fitting from under the cap and that will solve any hose kinking/venting issues.
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: Howie on April 01, 2013, 07:00:38 AM
Doh! Flange, plastic tank :-[  If it is difficult to get to the dealer you can order the filter from our sponsor, Commonwealth  http://www.commoto.com (http://www.commoto.com)

Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: ANedelka on April 01, 2013, 04:56:37 PM
Tried to start it again and no luck. No noise from the pump either, flipped the tank up to listen and couldn't hear a thing. Is that indicative of a failed pump or can that also be due to the filter? Ill try and replace those relays at the same time as the filter. They're 12v 20a relays right?
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: Speeddog on April 01, 2013, 05:24:06 PM
Usually it's the relay.
There's two there, try switching them to see if you can get the pump to go that way.
You can't ride it that way, but it's an easy test...

You may have a wiring issue.
Possibly external, check the connector, make sure it's securely connected.
You can disconnect/reconnect a couple times to see if it'll scrub the contacts enough to get it working (not likely, but free).

There have been failures of the wiring that goes into the tank, thankfully there's now a relatively inexpensive fix.
I'm pretty sure this is the correct unit for your bike, *if* that's the issue.
http://ca-cycleworks.com/products/fuel-carbs/fwireslg (http://ca-cycleworks.com/products/fuel-carbs/fwireslg)
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: Howie on April 02, 2013, 12:33:46 AM
You can also temporarily jump terminals 87 and 30 at the fuel pump relay.  If the pump now runs, replace the relay.  If not, check the brown/white wire at the connector to the fuel pump.  Got 12V?  You probably need that Ca Cycleworks kit Speeddog suggested.
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: ANedelka on April 02, 2013, 10:59:00 AM
I'm not sure what those relays points are, is that the quick disconnect wire running into the tank? For $6 I figure it's worth trying to swap the relay (the bike is stuck at a friends house so quick checks like that make less of a pain to his family). Is it the left or right relay (I'm thinking of the two relays on the left hand side of the battery if you're standing at the back of the bike).

Thanks for all your help guys, I appreciate it!
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: ANedelka on April 02, 2013, 11:30:25 AM
Ok, so I tried to start it before swapping the relay and I heard the fuel pump start and it the bike fired up instantly. Do dying/faulty relays act that way? Swapped the new relay in and it started as well, though it was idling a little rough. Going to have to get a different relay; the part number provided was for a 30a, not a 20.
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: Howie on April 02, 2013, 12:51:30 PM
A relay rated higher than needed is fine.  Keep the 30.  The terminal numbers are the connector that the relay goes into.  The numbers should be on the relay itself, if not I will tell you how to figure it out.
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: ANedelka on April 02, 2013, 01:08:26 PM
Ok I'll take a look later. Does the fact that the old relay started the pump again indicate that the relay might be a less a fault than a wiring issue?
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: Howie on April 02, 2013, 01:16:49 PM
Both can be intermittent, so I can't say.  I would suggest searching the board for threads on the wiring issue, there are some really good posts and photos.  Some nice DIY repairs too, but I would still go with the Ca Cycleworks kit.
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: ANedelka on April 02, 2013, 01:21:45 PM
Ok perfect thanks howie! I picked up the fuel filter today and ill order that wiring kit as well. Hopefully those fix the problem.
Title: Re: Bike randomly died while riding
Post by: scaramanga on April 03, 2013, 11:03:49 AM
QuoteSome nice DIY repairs too, but I would still go with the Ca Cycleworks kit.

I only wished that this kit was available before i repaired mine. Well worth the money!