Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: Mr Earl on April 29, 2013, 06:32:06 AM

Title: M800: ran yesterday, dead today
Post by: Mr Earl on April 29, 2013, 06:32:06 AM
So my M800, which I thought was finally sorted out, has been running beautifully with absolutely no symptoms or bad behavior.  Rode it to work and (long way) home Saturday, just a great ride.  This morning I get the gauge sweep, but the low-on-gas and oil lights are both on (expect oil light, gas light was not on when the bike was parked.)  Then, the immobilizer light turns off, but then illuminates again and stays on.  Push starter button - nada.  Checked that it was in neutral, raised the sidestand just in case, cycled it a few times.  Not even a click from the solenoid.

The bike is always on a smart charger, and lives indoors.  During yesterday's ride it turned over 20,000 miles.  I seem to recall reading here something about that being important...

Grateful for any suggestions.
Title: Re: M800: ran yesterday, dead today
Post by: Howie on April 29, 2013, 06:37:16 AM
Charge the battery and have it loads tested.  You can use a known good battery (like the one in your car)  to boost the battery in your bike and see if it starts, just don't run the car.
Title: Re: M800: ran yesterday, dead today
Post by: Dirty Duc on April 29, 2013, 06:59:12 AM
Check the fuses.  The issue you describe sounds like the immobilizer not seeing something it wants.  If all the fuses are good, try your other black key. 
Title: Re: M800: ran yesterday, dead today
Post by: Mr Earl on April 29, 2013, 07:28:46 AM
I've done some panicked searching and reading, and apparently there may be an issue with the antenna.  When the key is turned, the immobilizer light flashes a few times (don't remember how many and I can't check until tonight) then goes off, then illuminates and stays on.  The number of flashes indicates a specific problem (antenna, key not recognized,...) so I need to test that.

Pretty sure it's not a battery problem as the battery is <1 year old and as I said it's on the smart charger all the time.
Title: Re: M800: ran yesterday, dead today
Post by: Speeddog on April 29, 2013, 08:17:19 AM
No particular significance to passing 20k miles.

Check the connector on the antenna, plug/unplug a few times.
Check the fuses, in fact replace with new, they're cheap.
Title: Re: M800: ran yesterday, dead today
Post by: Mr Earl on April 29, 2013, 03:30:57 PM
Thanks, people.  Will update as developments merit...
Title: Re: M800: ran yesterday, dead today
Post by: Mr Earl on April 29, 2013, 04:33:48 PM
After trying the original black key again and having the condition repeat, I did these things:

Dropped the tank, tried the original black key and voila!  Problem disappeared.  So I'm guessing it was the antenna connector?  Anyway, all is well in Monsterland again.