S4 mystrious shut down

[mkuhr]

I have a 2002 s4 with 30k miles. A strange thing happened at 110 mph - the bike shut down as if someone had hit the kill switch. After five minuted pulled over, It started up and I was on my way. Today, the same thing happened at 30 mph, when I hit the accelerator only reasonable hard. Has anyone heard of this or have any idea how to make it stop??
Thanks much - Martin

[JBubble]

I have a 2002 s4 with 30k miles. A strange thing happened at 110 mph - the bike shut down as if someone had hit the kill switch. After five minuted pulled over, It started up and I was on my way. Today, the same thing happened at 30 mph, when I hit the accelerator only reasonable hard. Has anyone heard of this or have any idea how to make it stop??
Thanks much - Martin

You will want to move this to the Tech Section in the Moto Board. There is an option to move it at the bottom of the thread to move it.

ETA: Nevermind, Speeddog moved it for ya.

[corndog67]

My S4 ate the sidestand/neutral safety switch.   It started with a bit of a miss, ended up cutting out in heavy freeway traffic. 

[GAAN]

 Hhmm. just a couple of stabs here...

Fuel delivery issue from pinched/clogged lines, clogged filter, or fuel pump is starting to take a shit

Pressure issue from cracked, split, or loose lines.

Bad ground or loose terminal connections

Bad TPS sensor

[Peter F]

Had the same issue with my S4, turned out the be the fuel pump solenoid. There are two identical solenoids under the tank, switch them and see if the problem goes away? If so replace the solenoid.

[mkuhr]

Thanks all you guys for your responses.
- the sidestand safety switch may be an answer if it didn't work, but it does. Mr. Corndog's engine cutout, although similar, don't seem to be it - that sidestand neutral safety swich sure is a funny thing, though (never heard of a bike not being able to idle on the sidestand before).
- Mr. Ga'an had some nice ideas, which may be worth pursuing, at a Ducati dealer (I am only a very light mechanic).
- Peter F's answer seems to be the first issue to address. Is the fuel pump solenoid a light matter that I can try replace myself from a clymer manual? or do I need to give the dreaded red key to a dealer to see if that's the problem. (I have no idea what the red key is about - just that only a dealer may stick it in). Perhaps a Ducati dealer may be able to test that the problem is the fuel pump solenoid, therefore it may be my least expensive route (was it expensive to replace, Peter?).

Speaking of red key, if I should loose my one and only key, can the red key be used for replicating the key - which I imagine is an ordeal, due to transponder - which I have never heard of (but sounds scarry!).
BTW - I am a longtime rider, but I have only dealt with older bikes thus far.
Anyone - Let me know if you think my assessment is correct.
Thanks again for your input.
Martin

[jerryz]

Had the same issue with my S4, turned out the be the fuel pump solenoid. There are two identical solenoids under the tank, switch them and see if the problem goes away? If so replace the solenoid.

Dont you mean relays ?

[Buckethead]

- Peter F's answer seems to be the first issue to address. Is the fuel pump solenoid a light matter that I can try replace myself from a clymer manual? or do I need to give the dreaded red key to a dealer to see if that's the problem. (I have no idea what the red key is about - just that only a dealer may stick it in). Perhaps a Ducati dealer may be able to test that the problem is the fuel pump solenoid, therefore it may be my least expensive route (was it expensive to replace, Peter?).

Speaking of red key, if I should loose my one and only key, can the red key be used for replicating the key - which I imagine is an ordeal, due to transponder - which I have never heard of (but sounds scarry!).

The red key is a sort of "master" key for your bike. It is used to "mate" your ECU to your gauges and the immobilizer. Your dealer can use your red key to make black key copies that will work for your bike, but they can't make copies from a black key. (Commercial locksmiths with specific key "cloning" machines can, but not your dealer.)

Your dealer should be able to perform *most* maintenance with just a black key. The only time they should need the red key is if they're doing work on your gauges or replacing your ECU.

As for the transponder, pretty much all vehicles use them now thanks to insurance industry mandates. Its just a little chip in the head of the key that responds to a signal from the car and says "Hey, its me, a legitimate key. Nobody's trying to hotwire you and the valet who parked you last night didn't go make a cheap copy at the hardware store down the street. Please start now."

That's why modern keys are so obnoxiously fat.

As for why your bike keeps dying, I haven't a clue.

[CETME]

That happened to me too,

It turned out the plug at the starter solenoid on the right side of the bike was loose.