On-going Dead Battery

[Mumbles]

I have a 96 M900. I bought it last spring. When I got it, the battery seemed ready to die as it barely turned the engine over. I bought a new battery and the first time I started it, it turned over real good. Within a few starts the new battery was turning over the engine like the old one was. It kept on starting so I rode it like that. About two or three months later I went to ride it home from work and there was no juice. Not even enough to turn on any idiot lights. I had my wife come with some jumper cables and I got it started. I rode it home and it seemed ok. To be safe I took the battery out and put it on a trickle charger over night. I put it back in and again it started up real good the first time and then went back to starting sluggishly. I rode it off and on for the next several months. Well today again I was going to ride it home from work and there was no juice. Just like last time not even the idiot lights would come on. I had my wife come bail me out again. This time when I jumped it, it started but as soon as I disconnected the cables it cut off. I jumped it again and let it run with the cables hook up for about 2 minutes. When I took them off it seemed to run fine. As I was getting my gear together and putting the cables away it cut off again (after about 8 minutes of running fine). I turned the key off and on and there were no juice.

Ok, I'm lost now what? Has anybody got any ideas as to what this could be?

Sorry this is so long, any help is greatly appreciated.

Bummed Ducati rider.....

[ducpainter]

It could be a couple of things, but a faulty charging system seems likely.

It could be as simple as a loose/dirty connection, or it could be a faulty regulator/rectifier.

I'd start with the easy stuff...check/clean all the battery cable connections and charge the battery.

When you get it running check the voltage at the battery with the engine running. It should read about 13.5 volts at about 2500 rpm. If you don't have a tach...no sweat...just raise the rpms some and see if the voltage rises.

If it does you fixed it, or have a bad battery. You can get that load tested at auto-zone.

Keep us posted.

[Capo]

It would appear that the battery is not being charged and that there is a possible drain when not running.

There was a similar post a little while back, where step by step trouble shooting was provided.

[somegirl]

There was a similar post a little while back, where step by step trouble shooting was provided.

This one?

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=16387.0

[Howie]

Follow this guide:

http://www.electrosport.com/technical-resources/library/diagnosis/fault-finding-guide.php

A common problem is at the connector where the stator wires connect to the regulator.  The stator wires exit the right sidecover and go into, unless modified, a cheesy connector.  Check this connection and battery connections first.

[Mumbles]

OK, here is the latest. My bike was stranded at work. I left it there since Monday when the electrically issue happened. Day before yesterday I took the battery out and took it home to recharge it. Yesterday I brought it back and my plan was to start it up and see if I could ride it home before the all the battery juice ran out. Once I got the battery back in, I turned the key and all the instument lights came on nice and bright. When I turned the on/off switch to on and hit the starter buttom it clicked and the lights went out and it didn't even tuirn the engine over. I turned the key off and back on and now no instrument lights came on and there was nothing when I pushed the starter button.

Now what?

Distressed Ducati owner....

[Popeye the Sailor]

I'm guessing it went down like this.


You have a charging problem issue.
This resulted in the nice new battery getting drained WAyyyyyyy down (they don't typically like this) repeatedly.
It now is at the point where it won't hold a charge, which is why you can't get it started.


I would get that battery checked out to be sure, although, the battery itself could be the underlying issue. Probably time for a new one, then to do the voltage checks and make sure the charging system is on the up and up.

[Howie]

Recharge battery and load test.  Any decent bike shop can load test it for you.  If the battery doesn't pass the load test you need a new one.  Ummm, let's back step a little.  Before doing that, check your battery terminal connections.  Either you have a loose or dirty connection or your battery is real weak.  Then check your charging system using my link above.  Alternative is get the bike to a competent shop.  Continuing to use your bike in this condition will only cause more inconvenience and expense.