Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: darksouls on August 15, 2015, 11:55:37 AM

Title: bike wont start flashing dash lights and funny temp readings
Post by: darksouls on August 15, 2015, 11:55:37 AM
So I left for work today to make sure the bike luggage was ok for a trip I was going to take, when I left work, I turned the key on, blinker lights flashed, the yellow light at the bottom between the 2 buttons stayed on and the engine temp displayed 326 degrees. So I turned it off, then back on, did the same but read 216 degrees. The fuel pump is running when i turn the key on, played with the kickstand, various wires, fuses, killswitch, etc. Did the same thing but get a different reading each time. Last time it said the normal "LO" I have done a search, found some similar issues but dont sound the same. I'm gong back to work to try the red key see if that works and to put new fuses in just in case Any info would be cool!

Thanks guys.
Title: Re: bike wont start flashing dash lights and funny temp readings
Post by: ducpainter on August 15, 2015, 12:13:54 PM
Not sure why the temp reading is wonky, but it sounds like an immobilizer issue.
Title: Re: bike wont start flashing dash lights and funny temp readings
Post by: darksouls on August 15, 2015, 12:32:19 PM
Quote from: ducpainter on August 15, 2015, 12:13:54 PM
Not sure why the temp reading is wonky, but it sounds like an immobilizer issue.
Well the red key worked, but still after i turn the key off the right blinker blinks until i hit the cancellation. The guages are fogged up too, so i'm curious if water has leaked in. Im going to get her home and take the dash apart, reinspect the wiring. Not sure what an immobilzer is but i can look it up when i get back. I'm still learning about the red key etc. It seems i should bring it with me if I had to go anywhere far.
Title: Re: bike wont start flashing dash lights and funny temp readings
Post by: ducpainter on August 15, 2015, 12:45:55 PM
Quote from: darksouls on August 15, 2015, 12:32:19 PM
Well the red key worked, but still after i turn the key off the right blinker blinks until i hit the cancellation. The guages are fogged up too, so i'm curious if water has leaked in. Im going to get her home and take the dash apart, reinspect the wiring. Not sure what an immobilzer is but i can look it up when i get back. I'm still learning about the red key etc. It seems i should bring it with me if I had to go anywhere far.
If the gauges are foggy moisture is likely the issue.

The immobilizer is located in the dash. Your key has a chip which sends a signal to the dash which communicates to the ecu whether to allow the bike to start.

The red key bypasses that...somehow.
Title: Re: bike wont start flashing dash lights and funny temp readings
Post by: darksouls on August 15, 2015, 03:51:12 PM
Quote from: ducpainter on August 15, 2015, 12:45:55 PM
If the gauges are foggy moisture is likely the issue.

The immobilizer is located in the dash. Your key has a chip which sends a signal to the dash which communicates to the ecu whether to allow the bike to start.

The red key bypasses that...somehow.

Yeah started it up went to the store with it. When I left, then the red key didnt work lol. When i was farting around with the clutch problem i did wash the bike numerous times, just in case brake fluid got somewhere. Probably the garden hose got some in there. I'm going to take  the dash off and let it dry out. Guess camping is moved to next weekend. Better than getting stranded up there. Do you guys bring the red key with you just in case or leave it home? I may find a secure hiding spot on the bike, although i'd hate to lose it because of the replacement cost.
Title: Re: bike wont start flashing dash lights and funny temp readings
Post by: ducpainter on August 15, 2015, 03:54:19 PM
Quote from: darksouls on August 15, 2015, 03:51:12 PM
Yeah started it up went to the store with it. When I left, then the red key didnt work lol. When i was farting around with the clutch problem i did wash the bike numerous times, just in case brake fluid got somewhere. Probably the garden hose got some in there. I'm going to take  the dash off and let it dry out. Guess camping is moved to next weekend. Better than getting stranded up there. Do you guys bring the red key with you just in case or leave it home? I may find a secure hiding spot on the bike, although i'd hate to lose it because of the replacement cost.
My bikes have no red keys...or immobilizers...or digital dashboards...

Makes life simpler. ;D
Title: Re: bike wont start flashing dash lights and funny temp readings
Post by: darksouls on August 15, 2015, 03:56:13 PM
Quote from: ducpainter on August 15, 2015, 03:54:19 PM
My bikes have no red keys...or immobilizers...or digital dashboards...

Makes life simpler. ;D

Woah woah woah. I didnt know this was possible! To the google!
Title: Re: bike wont start flashing dash lights and funny temp readings
Post by: ducpainter on August 15, 2015, 03:57:31 PM
Quote from: darksouls on August 15, 2015, 03:56:13 PM
Woah woah woah. I didnt know this was possible! To the google!
It can be done with yours...

but mine is a '96 M900.

It's the way it came. ;)
Title: Re: bike wont start flashing dash lights and funny temp readings
Post by: Speeddog on August 15, 2015, 05:18:00 PM
Carefully open up the cluster, and dry it.
That should take care of the issue.
Title: Re: bike wont start flashing dash lights and funny temp readings
Post by: Howie on August 15, 2015, 06:16:42 PM
First thing I did with my new old bike was kill the immobilizer.
Title: Re: bike wont start flashing dash lights and funny temp readings
Post by: darksouls on August 16, 2015, 06:05:42 AM
Yeah i think the immobilizer is going to go. The whole key thing is a turn off. If someone is going to steal it most likely they will part it out, and the bike can be loaded easily into a truck with one person. Not really sure how it's a viable system. The more I have researched this the more owners seem to be agitated with having it.
Title: Re: bike wont start flashing dash lights and funny temp readings
Post by: darksouls on August 16, 2015, 06:43:32 AM
Quote from: howie on August 15, 2015, 06:16:42 PM
First thing I did with my new old bike was kill the immobilizer.

So from what i have been searching, I just send the ECU to a ducati dealer and have them re-flash it? Then i can get rid of the ignition wire ring and it should start with the guages unplugged. I also have read I can get the yellow light to become a shift light. Any other suggestions i should make to the dealer before i do this? Thanks guys!

Title: Re: bike wont start flashing dash lights and funny temp readings
Post by: ducpainter on August 16, 2015, 07:33:15 AM
I don't think every dealer does it. I believe moto-wheels, one of our sponsors, does re-flashes.

Check in the mods board for recommendations.
Title: Re: bike wont start flashing dash lights and funny temp readings
Post by: DarkMonster620 on August 16, 2015, 08:06:33 AM
Quote from: darksouls on August 16, 2015, 06:43:32 AM
So from what i have been searching, I just send the ECU to a ducati dealer and have them re-flash it? Then i can get rid of the ignition wire ring and it should start with the guages unplugged. I also have read I can get the yellow light to become a shift light. Any other suggestions i should make to the dealer before i do this? Thanks guys!


Motowheels does the reflash and if you have any mods on your bike, you can ask them for a performance reflash also . . .
Title: Re: bike wont start flashing dash lights and funny temp readings
Post by: darksouls on August 16, 2015, 09:11:33 AM
well there's the problem! Water literally poured out when i removed the rubber gasket. Checked the gasket over and it looked fine, looked for any cracks etc. weird.... ordered a new gasket anyway.
(http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u381/darksouls82/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150816_105942_zpsyxgbcbcl.jpg)
Title: Re: bike wont start flashing dash lights and funny temp readings
Post by: ducpainter on August 16, 2015, 02:44:25 PM
You're not the first to get water in your cluster on that vintage bike. I don't think a new gasket will help.
Title: Re: bike wont start flashing dash lights and funny temp readings
Post by: Howie on August 17, 2015, 04:23:40 AM
Also ask about where to get your computer reflashed in the appropriate "Local Club Board " in this forum.  With the immobilizer killed you can use an aftermarket dash and it will run with no dash at all.
Title: Re: bike wont start flashing dash lights and funny temp readings
Post by: darksouls on August 17, 2015, 12:09:59 PM
Quote from: ducpainter on August 16, 2015, 02:44:25 PM
You're not the first to get water in your cluster on that vintage bike. I don't think a new gasket will help.
I dont think it will either. the gasket looked great. Maybe i'll get the silicone out. Probably the immobilizer will be a winter fix since I have to send the ECU out. My nearest dealer acted like i was insane for wanting it done.
Title: Re: bike wont start flashing dash lights and funny temp readings
Post by: EEL on August 17, 2015, 01:09:52 PM
I believe there is a receiver loop under the ignition. It's been a long time but i kind if remember it being a circular lasso below the key.  You might want to see if this loop has moved or the connector wiggled loose or the connector was shorted due to moisture . Sometimes it can get finicky because of this and it won't pick up the signal from the chip in the key.

It might still be the dash like others have said but its a simple check and a huge savings.