Bike doesn't seem to like water......

[dan_t]

Hey there,

First post after the whole intro thing & I'd love your thoughts.....

The other day I washed my '08 S4RS & it wouldn't start at all afterwards. The yellow light on the dash (immobiliser) came on, indicating a fault I guess, and the bike wouldn't even kick over. Dead, caput.

I wheeled it into the garage for a day or so, thinking that some water had gotten into the electrics somewhere, shorted the system & so I prayed.

It seemed the God's of Italian bike design were listening as a couple of days later it started again without so much as a hiccup.

Then today, it rained. I rode to the dealer for some suspension set up tweeks & the bike did exactly the same bloody thing afterwards. Would not start & the immobiliser light was on.

The guys at the dealership wheeled it back in, tested all of the relays, fuel pump etc and confirmed that there was no issue with the electric system. "Must be a faulty key", they stated.

So I went home & grabbed the spare and master key & went back there. Guess what? The bike still didn't start.

The dealer is perplexed, with it (aparently) not being an electrical issue & it not being a faulty key issue, so what the heck is it? I had to leave the bike there, but thought I'd post this, wondering whether anyone else has come across this issue?

Even though they are confident it's not an electrical issue, it certainly seems a little coincedental to me that the two times its happened has been associated with washing the bike & riding in the rain.

Your thoughts are most appreciated.................?

[dan_t]

Thanks, I appreciate your input.

Yes, I do have the code card & I think I'll have to read up on how to use the codes as you suggest.
The bike is practically new. It may be an '08 model, but it was only sold just on 12 months ago now, so I'd like to think there's no leaks around the guages - a good inspection definately won't hurt!

Cheers,
Dan

[Howie]

If the bike is only 12 months old it is under warranty.  More than likely your problem is caused by moisture in the instrument cluster.  The moisture will eventually kill the cluster.  New does not mean good, that is why your new motorcycle comes with a warranty.

[Duck-Stew]

Could be the gauges as indicated above, could also be the key-sensing halo.  They fragile and if the tank was dropped with the latch open, it could have taken an impact...

[dan_t]

Ha!!

You guys must be psychic (or used to the 'anomalies' of owning an Italian bike)!!!

I've just gotten off the phone with the dealer & they just told me that the bike is now not recognising any of the keys, even the master RED one.

As a fix, they're going to replace the entire instrument cluster. Let's hope this fixes it all.

I guess there's one benefit, the new speedo will show zero klm's on the bike.............

[DucHead]

Moral of the story: quit washing your bike.   

[DucHead]

Problem solved 'cause it doesn't have an immobilizer. 

  The immobilizer electronics are in the gauge cluster.

[ducpainter]

  The immobilizer electronics are in the gauge cluster.

True, but if you use the DP ecu the immobilizer is non functional.

[accrocker]

I think that you still have to get the DP ecu reflashed to fully eliminate the immobilizer. You can install the DP ecu and as long as you don't use the red key in the bike, it will not marry to the key code and you will be able to start it with any key or any factory gauge, but if the gauge is disconnected, or faulty, I don't think that the bike will start.

[dan_t]

Well if they're not successful with the new gauges tell them to just throw in a new Ducati Performance ECU.  Problem solved 'cause it doesn't have an immobilizer. 

Hi, I was thinking about the above statement. I have Termi's fitted, which of course come with a 'performance' ECU. Is this the one you're refering to?
If so, the problem appeared with this upgraded part fitted.

[dan_t]

If I'm wrong I'm sorry but for the OP that would mean he would either need a re-flashed or "virgin" ECU to go along with the new gauges because you just can't just change the gauges once their married to the ECU.

Not quite sure I'm following. The dealer is replacing my guages, but not touching the ECU at all. I haven't got the bike back yet, but they're pretty sure about the fact that they're only replacig the instrument cluster.

[battlecry]

I'm IZ_ about that too.  I thought somehow the key, ECU, and gauges worked as a married system. 

[dan_t]

Hey there, well I picked the bike up & the dealer had installed a new set of guages.
I still have the old keys - nothing changed there.

When asked, they said that all they did was replace the guages and re-program the keys and immobiliser to 'talk' and that was it!

It all works like a treat now & the bike has 'lost' 3,700 klm's off the clock!

[Grrrly]

I would suggest reflashing the ECU to remove the immobilizer function now that you've got the new gauges.   There appears to be much success with reflashing newer model ducs such as yours.  I had a similar issue with my 2002 900 and had to replace gauges several times, all after heavy rain.  Got the point I carried a plastic baggy to put over the gauges in case of rain.

I wish the reflash would have worked on mine I had to go a different route, I think because of the year of my bike.

Best of Luck

[dan_t]

You wouldn't believe it. I just washed the bike for the first time since I got it back (I haven't had much chance to get out on it lately) & the bloody thing is doing the same trick again!!!

New guages & the imobiliser still kicks in after the bike gets wet. What's the chance that I've received 2 sets of faulty guages in a row?

Are there any other issues that you could think of that may be causing this issue?

I'd appreciate your thoughts.