600 Monster no cranking for start - intermitently

[phil.cal]

I posted earlier & my mechanic has tried all posted suggestions but I've still just spent 10 minutes in the supermarket carpark turning it on & off until it finally started as usual as though nothing was wrong.

2000 Monster600, always serviced, only 25000kms. Won't start sometimes unless switched on & off 1 or 35 times. Service has checked the key & kill switch - has replaced solenoid, started for them many times, I rode it home & tried a restart - no joy until switch on/off kill on/off many times. Runs perfectly once it starts.
All ideas appreciated - Phil

[Howie]

It would help if you could find your old thread and link it so we know what was done already.  Unfortunately,you need to do the diagnosis when the problem exists or use the shotgun method (replace all components that are a probable cause).  This is the problem your tech faces.  Do you have a volt meter?  Test light? 

[phil.cal]

Good idea about link to earlier ask

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=17840.0

Phil

[greenmonster]

Have you tried another ignition main relay, yellow under saddle?

It do sound like that classic fault.

[Gimpy]

I have had similar problems with loose wiring. Headlight would fire, fuel pump would kick on, but something about the increased electrical draw for the starter didn't work. The fix was replacing a dieing battery terminal. 

I would have to agree about the ignition relay seemingly being the culprit, but I would check the battery terminals, starter terminals, and the fuse box for loose connections or corrosion. 

[Howie]

The yellow relay is a common culprit.  Like I said, you need to check when the bike doesn't start. Remove the seat.  When you turn on the key you should hear the relay click.  Remove the relay.  Check for voltage with a test light or voltmeter at terminal 85 with the key on.  No juice, the problem is the key switch or related wiring.  If there is juice, jump terminal 30 and 87.  If the bike starts the relay is at fault.  If the bike does not start, go to the white plug on the back of the solenoid.  You should have voltage present at the red/black wire. If not, the problem is between the main relay and the solenoid.   If you have voltage, bypass the solenoid (heavy wire to heavy wire).  If the bike starts, the problem is the solenoid.  If that doesn't work, get back to us.

Also, there is a wiring diagram available here at the end of the manual:
http://www.ducati.com/en/bikes/service/manuals/2000.jhtml?family=manuals

[Howley]

Check out this post I made on the old forum. Might help.

http://www.ducatimonster.org/forums/tech/160436-starter-solenoid-problem-update.html#post1935274

[phil.cal]

Many thanks for such a clear explanation of the gremlin.

Phil

[phil.cal]

Well this is turning into a saga to match finding the Titanic.

Diding home the monster died. Pulled over to side & spent 10 minutes switching on/off before it started as though nothing was wrong.
Dropped bike at shop along with all the notes, diagrams etc from this page.
After a week, picked it up - mechanic says it had been loose contacts in the starter switch. says he started it multiple times without a problem. I rode home, stopping at the supermarket & you guessed it - spent more time in the carpark than the checkout queue.
Question - could faulty contact in starter switch kill the bike once it's actually running or is it more likely to be the kill switch?

[Howie]

The starter switch does just that, actives the starter.  It will not cause a stalling problem.  Do keep in mind you may have more than one problem.  Jump the relay as I suggested before.  If the problem disappears, you found the culprit

[openroad]

Check the ground wire on the engine,just went thru that.

[minnesotamonster]

I had a similar starting problem with my 600. Ended up being the safety relay under the seat, it's the little black box in the harness underneath your seat. Try jumping the two wires that go into it with a piece of wire, if it fires up, that's your problem. Mine was also very intermittent. Lots of generic replacements that will work, here are a few.

Radio shack 900-2391
Seimans V203073
Bosch 0 332 207 307
Napa AR 634
Car Quest RY 620
Borg Warner R3223
Orman 68H-UA-0070003
Mopar 56006846

I can only verify that the Borg Warner one actually works, since that was the one my local auto parts store carried.

However, I never had problems once the bike was started, so I never experienced the stalling issue you have, but as howie said, you may have more than one problem.

[phil.cal]

Again, many thanks
I'll give it a burl next time it misbehaves.

Phil

[phil.cal]

SOLVED!

just in case anyone else has the problem, Frasers at Strathfield solved the problem - it was indeed the relay. Mechanic wiggled relay > no start . wiggle relay > start.
So simple yet 3 visits to 3 different bikeshops to cure it.
Anyway thanks everyone who gave advice.
Phil