Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: Smokescreen on October 27, 2014, 07:10:03 PM

Title: possible immobilizer problem? SOLVED!!!
Post by: Smokescreen on October 27, 2014, 07:10:03 PM
So I've had my Ducati apart for the last year or better.  When I put it back together the power turned on, and the display turned on, but the fuel pump relay would clatter and the starter didn't function at all.  So I dropped it off with a friend who is better with electronics than me, and he figured out that the fuel pump and starter could still work, but the ecu wasn't sending them the power they needed.  

I'm thinking the immobilizer is reset, and I need to reset the black keys, but if anybody else has experienced this, I'd love to hear from you!
Title: Re: possible immobilizer problem?
Post by: Speeddog on October 27, 2014, 07:24:56 PM
I've not seen a case of the immobilizer reset where it wouldn't recognize the black keys.

How about a little more info on what you mean by "apart"...

What's the condition of your battery?
Because that's what it sounds like so far.
Title: Re: possible immobilizer problem?
Post by: Smokescreen on October 27, 2014, 07:53:28 PM
Apart, in this case, means I stripped it down to the chassis, had it powdercoated black, wheels gold, put it back together. 

The battery tests well, although who's to say it isn't ready to die.  It's been on a tender while the bike was apart and was new when I started. 

I just talked to a buddy of mine from Ducati and he suggested that I might have damaged the antenna for the immobilizer reinstalling or removing it, in which case I'll have to replace that.  So I'll get into that in the next couple of days and see if it is damaged. 

Title: Re: possible immobilizer problem?
Post by: Smokescreen on October 27, 2014, 08:00:43 PM
Also, and I can't believe I forgot to mention this.  The immobilizer light went wonky with every key including the red key.

The problem is, I don't remember what the light would do when it all worked.  It's not something you look at when the bike is working well. 
Title: Re: possible immobilizer problem?
Post by: Howie on October 27, 2014, 08:38:13 PM
Sounds like a weak battery to me also.  How did you test the battery?  Voltage across the battery just tells you state of charge.  You need fully charge it and have it load tested.
Title: Re: possible immobilizer problem?
Post by: Smokescreen on October 27, 2014, 08:42:40 PM
We load tested it today and the battery appears to be alright.  Also, when contacted directly, it spun the starter and powered up the fuel pump. 
Title: Re: possible immobilizer problem?
Post by: Speeddog on October 27, 2014, 09:14:16 PM
Check ground connection integrity.

And the ECU ground....
Title: Re: possible immobilizer problem?
Post by: Smokescreen on October 27, 2014, 09:25:58 PM
Where is the ecu ground? I verified the ground to case, it's solid
Title: Re: possible immobilizer problem?
Post by: Speeddog on October 27, 2014, 10:30:50 PM
Wire with a ring lug, comes out of the harness near the ECU, goes under the head of the rearward bolt that attaches the ECU to the battery tray.
Title: Re: possible immobilizer problem?
Post by: Smokescreen on October 28, 2014, 07:23:13 PM
So the battery has been tested and tested under load and passed.  If the fuel pump relay is disconnected, the starter button turns the motor over.  If the fuel pump is hotwired it runs well.  When relays are swapped, all the same tests play out the same way.  The voltage going to the fuel pump is good and the voltage going to the starter are good, but if both relays are plugged in, the starter won't turn and the fuel pump chatters.  We're thinking there is a problem with the ecu communication with the fuel pump relay.

Does anybody know which pin exiting the ECU controls the fuel pump relay?

Also, both grounds were in position and intact.

It seems like when the fuel pump relay is attached, something doesn't like it.

Also, the immobilizer antenna is intact and in correct position

Thoughts?  Location of the fuel pump control pin?
Title: Re: possible immobilizer problem?
Post by: Howie on October 28, 2014, 08:52:06 PM
If you are getting power to terminal 85 at the relay the ECU is doing it's job.  If so, replace the relay.
Title: Re: possible immobilizer problem?
Post by: Armor on October 29, 2014, 09:42:42 AM
Are you sure your ecu is grounded?
Title: Re: possible immobilizer problem?
Post by: Bill in OKC on October 29, 2014, 01:55:14 PM
Quote from: Armor on October 29, 2014, 09:42:42 AM
Are you sure your ecu is grounded?

+1

And it can 'look' grounded but not be - check with a meter..
Title: Re: possible immobilizer problem?
Post by: Smokescreen on October 29, 2014, 08:02:58 PM
SOLVED!!!

Thank all of you for your help!  So, I read a thread on replacing ECUs and saw that the ECU was supposed to be grounded to the basket it's mounted to.  As soon as I saw that I remembered I'd grounded it to the negative pole.  So... Let my friend know, he moved the ground to its original location, and the bike fired!

Again, thanks to everyone who spitballed this one with me.  It was nice to hear the bike fire up again after soo long!

http://youtu.be/CgmeySCT__A (http://youtu.be/CgmeySCT__A)