600 Dark - Cuts out - Won’t start

[zuca748]

Hi guys.

I got a 2001 Monster 600 Dark for my girlfriend, but it keeps on cutting out with no warning and then refuses to start. All the ignition lights come on, but the starter just doesn't turn. It is also important to note that the rev counter needle hops in this case when the ignition is on. After about a minute it stops hopping and it suddenly starts again. Not even turning the key on and of, or switching the kill switch works.

I have bypassed the side stand switch, but still no luck. Still just occasionally dies on me. I've checked the battery and everything is fine. I took it to the dealer, but as luck would have it, everything works fine then and they can't find any problem.

What I can't understand is that the bike is as standard as they come. Air cooled, Carburettors, and no fancy ECU's. O and it is not in warrently anymore.

Any tips or help would be appreciated

Thanks

[Howie]

Unfortunately intermittent problems are hard to find since when all is well, all tests well.  I'll point you to a few problem areas, though.  Since your tach is acting up at the same time your problem is most likely electrical.  With the bike running, turn the handlebars from side to side and also wiggle the harness going down the head tube..  If this causes the bike to stall you have a problem in that harness.  Also make sure the battery cables and engine ground are clean and tight.  Don't just look at them, remove and clean them.  Remember, negative off first, negative on last.

Keep track of all the details when the bike cuts out.  How long has it been running, do you loose the tach signal at the same time as the stall, does the bike start loosing power before the stall, and anything else you can think of.

Do you have a volt/ohmmeter? Test light?  Wiring diagram?

[zuca748]

Thank you - I really appreciate your advice

I'll check all those things. One thing though... When it cuts, everything cuts immediately - exactly as if you would have hit the kill switch or removed the ignition fuse whilst running. Everything just goes at once â€" Bamm! Although the instrument lights etc stays on.

So in other words, as if the key is turned on, but the kill switch off - and then of course the hopping needle.

Thanks again â€" will keep you posted

[villalji]

zuca, you may want to search for posts with problems with the solenoid, it looks similar to what you describe...

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=20298.msg363259#msg363259

and there are many others...

good luck!

[zuca748]

Thanks

Will have a look

[the_Journeyman]

My '99 M750 occasionally decides to cut out mid-ride, doesn't want to start, charges poorly, lights on the dash flicker some & get brighter & darker for no apparent reason etc.  So far, the only problem I've found with mine that causes this is my battery cables work loose, especially the ground cable where it grounds to the bike. 

I get all kinds of erratic behavior.  A lot of times the dash lights up when I turn the key on, the when I hit the starter, everything goes dark ~

JM

[Big Troubled Bear]

Heinz, at what dealer did you have the bike, I would suggest you take it to Ducati Edenvale and speak to Dave, he will try his utmost best

[zuca748]

Good day all

Good news. I got the bike sorted !!!

Took it to have the battery, cords and plugs checked today. All was fine. Then took it for a second opinion at Ducati Pta.

It was the Ignition relay. The yellow one under the seat next to the indicator relay. We fiddled with the relay and it started with the needle hopping again. We opened up the actual relay and saw that it was throwing a tiny spark every now and then and was badly corroded. Replaced it and have done nearly 60 kms today with no hassle. (SBK is in SA and the track is about 25kms from my house! â€" Go Haga â€" Go Fabrizio!!!!!)

Anyway â€" Thanks for everyone's inputs

Tot Later