immobilizer light not working

[pespina]

The orange immobilizer light stopped flashing after the last service at the Ducati dealer. Taking it back will be of no use -- I know that they will not accept blame and they will charge me hundreds of dollars after telling me that there is something wrong with the electronics of the bike (we have some history). So I would like to know if anyone has any bright ideas as to what they did to mess it up. They changed the head bearings when it happened.

Thanks, Pedro

[Slide Panda]

Quick question - it doesn't function at all - even when you have just shut off the bike?
Anything else wrong with the dash?
It fired up normally - no lock outs?

The light stops blinking after 24 hours... someone freaked that their bike died since the light went off, but they just had not started the bike in a couple days.

[pespina]

Quick question - it doesn't function at all - even when you have just shut off the bike?
Anything else wrong with the dash?
It fired up normally - no lock outs?

The light stops blinking after 24 hours... someone freaked that their bike died since the light went off, but they just had not started the bike in a couple days.

The light does not work at all, the bike runs normal. (I have some trouble starting it after a hard rainfall, but I think that has nothing to do with it). The bike is used as a daily commuter.

[minnesotamonster]

Could the idiot light just be burnt out?

[NAKID]

Did they install a DP ECU?

[accrocker]

I had a lot of trouble with water ingress at the gauge cluster during heavy rainfall. There is a small rubber gasket that is installed behind the multifunction buttons and around the immobilizer led. This is where mine leaked, and subsequently short circuited the immobilizer led and caused a few temporary no-starts. This has all been remedied by a reflashed ecu with no immobilizer from ducatidepot.com. You can easily disassemble the gauge housing if you suspect water damage, and have it repaired, or do it yourself if you are so inclined. Don't hold your breath waiting for ducati to warranty them though, it apparently never rains in Italy.

[pespina]

minnesotamonster: Yes, the bulb could be burned but it is a little coincidence that it happened the moment I took it out of the Ducati dealer.

NAKID: No, they did not install a DP ECU.

accrocker: you sound on target. I have been having problems with water. After rains or after washes. The Ducati dealer detailed the bike before giving it back to me. I would appreciate, if you could share with me any further info that you might have on how to go about doing this.

[accrocker]

The gauge cluster is held together with philips head screws on the back. Just unscrew them, and then you can separate the two halves of the housing. When you take it apart, you will be able to see all of the circuitry, and it will be obvious if there is water damage. There will be blue/green corrosion, and you will be able to smell a faint ozone scent from the burnt circuitry. What I did to hold it over until I got my reflashed ecu was replace the foam gasket between the two halves with a bead of rtv silicone before reassembling the gauges. This lasted a year with no problems. Do be careful when reassembling the gauges as the two halves need to fit precisely together in order for them to seal properly. There is a groove in one half, and a lip on the other that fit together. I would highly recommend getting a reflashed ecu without the immobilizer function. One, your bike is going to run SO much better than with the stock unit, and two, you can run any gauge you want. I have a new acewell gauge on order to replace the cheap stock unit. The reflashed ecu was only $450. This is way cheaper than the d.p. unit, and even considering the $300-$400 you will spend on a new aftermarket gauge, the whole package is cheaper than the $800 you will spend for new stock gauges to replace the leaky ones. Oh ya, no guarantee the new ones won't leak also and put you right back where you started.

[accrocker]

Oh yeah, If you have steady hands, you can remove the led and solder in a new one if that is the extent of the damage. On mine, the path on the circuit board itself, in addition to the led contacts was corroded so I didn't bother replacing my led because it wouldn't have worked anyway. Another thing for you to check for the no start condition is the immobilizer antenna that is located under the cover around the ignition lock. Just a few 10mm nuts to take it off. Then check the antenna for any water damage, I doubt there will be any, and also check that it is securely snapped into the top of the cover. If it has come loose, that can cause an intermittent no start. Again, just get rid of the immobilizer.

[pespina]

accrocker,

Many thanks for the detailed instructions. I will take a crack at it this weekend (it looks like is going to rain here in Paris  )

Cheers, Pedro