2009 696 - very difficult cold starts

[metroplex]

I've never had success starting my 696 in the first push of the ignition when the temperatures fall below 60F or so. I rode my 696 in 30F weather a few times and it took like 20-30 cranks and about 5 minutes of 2k RPM warmup to get a horrible throttle response. I basically used the fast idle lever / choke to ride the bike for the first few miles.

Now I understand my 696 is fuel injected, but why is it that every other fuel injected engine starts the first time while my 696 has the temperament of an old 1980s American carbureted engine?

I tried all of the methods with the lever and throttle, cycling the key, waiting for the 696 RACE words to scroll across, etc... and I read the manuals religiously. Is this a known problem?

Co-workers with CBR600RRs, R1s, ZX-10s, S1000RRs, RS1200s, and other fuel injected bikes say they start on the first push in the same temperatures.

It still has the factory/dealer filled oil and under 180 miles on the odometer.

Has anyone gotten their 696 to start on the first try in 30F or colder temperatures? If I keep the 696 under the sun for a few hours, it will start much easier.

[matmcd78]

Same problem. Have about 2100mi on my '09 and it does the same thing. Have noticed that the battery drops a little more when it is cold.

[ManaloEA]

Have a similar problem with my 2011 696. Must use the fast idle lever during the first start even in 70F degree weather.

[metroplex]

It starts fine above 60F.

[ungeheuer]

There's been much talk about difficult 696 cold starting (I never seemed to have any trouble with mine though - never gets that cold where I live so maybe thats why)....  The cold start lever is the thing... turn key, allow welcome screen to scroll, fast idle full on, hit the button.  Worked for me every time.

You might find this interesting reading >>  http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=23237.0

[metroplex]

There's been much talk about difficult 696 cold starting (I never seemed to have any trouble with mine though - never gets that cold where I live so maybe thats why)....  The cold start lever is the thing... turn key, allow welcome screen to scroll, fast idle full on, hit the button.  Worked for me every time.

You might find this interesting reading >>  http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=23237.0

I tried it method that everyone claims to work on the Internet, the one in the owner manual, and the one recommended by my dealer (make sure throttle is closed and lever is off, turn key on, let the display cycle, fully open fast idle lever, crank). This seemed to work without failure when it was near 50F earlier this year but recently the temperatures have dipped down to 20-30F and the 696 doesn't want to start very easily regardless of the method. Meanwhile the Japanese bikes seem to start without any problems.

I suppose we could blame the Siemens EFI, but Siemens makes EFI systems for cars that start fine in 0F weather.

The last car that was so problematic for me to start was my 1981 Ford T-bird with a carbureted 302 V8. The 696 has the same temperament as the T-bird.

[Howie]

Did your dealer check your bike with the Dds tester to confirm all sensors are functioning properly?  It would also be a good idea to leave the bike overnight so they can experience the problem.  Still no good?  Try another dealer. 

[metroplex]

There's no way for them to replicate the problem short of storing the bike outside in the cold. I assume the dealer did all of the pre-delivery inspection stuff, but I bought it new this year from the dealer. They said the 2009 was shipped by another dealer and no one wanted it.

The only other dealer is about 200 miles away.

[Raux]

I live in cold ass germany. The first year I was here I had no issues starting under 40
Used the fast idle maxed.

I would look into other issues, and not think it's just a quirk of the bike.

[metroplex]

I just went outside, 37F, maxed out fast idle lever, no joy after 5 minutes of cranking.

Again, it's new with 148 miles. It exhibited this behavior with less than 10 miles. The dealer never noticed it because it will fire up immediately when the ambient temperatures are above 60F (room temperature). If I put the 696 under the sun, it will fire up right away.

What other issues am I looking for? I looked at the factory NGK copper spark plugs and gapped them to the factory specification. The spark plug wires look good. The battery is brand new (Yuasa AGM) and I always have the Tender attached. The fuel is fresh 93 octane. I have the Ducati Race Kit with the Termignoni's and Race ECU with K&N-style air filter.

I don't have any issues with stallouts or lack of power. I can hit 60 MPH almost instantly and not feel any weird lack of power at certain RPMs, it pulls strong from 1500-8000 RPM.

[thought]

at 148 miles... i'd be tempted to say you need to put some more mileage on it in order to loosen it up.  it really might be the old 696 cold start issue exacerbated by a pretty tight new engine.

it wasnt till after 2-3k miles when my 796 fully broke in.

[Howie]

There's no way for them to replicate the problem short of storing the bike outside in the cold. I assume the dealer did all of the pre-delivery inspection stuff, but I bought it new this year from the dealer. They said the 2009 was shipped by another dealer and no one wanted it.

The only other dealer is about 200 miles away.

The purpose is leaving overnight is so they can replicate the problem, which means leaving it out in the cold.  Then they can both experience the problem and read sensor data live with the Dds.  My guess is one of the temperature sensors is not working correctly.  They may be getting normal readings at warmer temperatures.  Part of your starting problem could also be the use of 93 octane fuel, particularly if it contains ethanol.  Ethanol does not like to atomize.

[metroplex]

93 octane (US) is what Ducati specifies (the equivalent of whatever octane they listed in the manual). I'm not sure if our gas has ethanol, but the same gas works fine in my 1981 carbureted lawnmower.

I do notice that the air temperature reading in the display looks off, it's not quite close to the actual ambient reading. I think the engine temperature data might be off as well, I have a Ducati Data Analyzer that has an engine temp reading which seems to be off from ambient.

I can definitely double check again, but is this a known issue? I don't have the service manual with me, but is there a troubleshooting procedure for this? Should the ambient air temperature be shown accurately on the Digitek dashboard as well as the engine temp/DDA?

[Raux]

I do notice that the air temperature reading in the display looks off, it's not quite close to the actual ambient reading. I think the engine temperature data might be off as well, I have a Ducati Data Analyzer that has an engine temp reading which seems to be off from ambient.

It's one sensor for ambient and engine. So if it's off, you do have an issue

[metroplex]

how is it one sensor? my ambient air temp is a lot lower than the engine temp (up to 300F)