Died mid-ride, no lights/starting now.

[the_Journeyman]

So...  Mid ride, my 1999 M750 (carbed, not injected) just cut off, dash lights and all other lights as well.  I pulled up to a stop, pulled in the clutch and it died, all lights went too, not just the motor.  Rolled it to a parking lot, checked the basics (battery connections and similar) and turned the switch on, all lights, and it started.  However starting involved holding the starter and as it started to spin, hung up like a weak battery, and finally finished the spin and started.  It idled fine for a few seconds then all died again, including dash & headlights.  Got it started once more with the same sluggish motor spin. and that was it, it died, and nothing more.  Tried to start if off C's car when she picked me up, but nothing.  Went home got the truck and trucked it home.

Battery checked out good at Auto Parts on their little tester thing that does the basic voltage and load testing.

I did a lot of reading looking for similar issues.  I checked what I found.  The engine (by breather) to frame (by rearset) ground had come loose.  Reattached it, still nothing.

Looked for the obvious stuff, main fuse, ignition fuse etc.  All checked out.

Currently - Waiting on the battery to be 100% charged off C's bike as it is much smaller than the Monster's batter. 

Possible good news?  Duc's battery doesn't even click the relay under the seat (main relay?) when the switch is turned on while the Hawk's low battery a least has the relay click and make noise.

So...  Bad battery?  Read about checking the various relays, but that will have to wait until tomorrow as the battery is dead in my multimeter and it's a weird battery that I don't have around the house.

Other things that are common "NOTHING when you turn the key" red flags I should check in the meantime without the meter?

Thanks
JM

[ducpainter]

Does the Hawk battery work the lights?

[the_Journeyman]

dp - No, just checked with a fully charged batter from the Hawk.  Nothing.  No dash or head/tail lights.

Update:  Fully charged battery that is good (starts the Hawk GT every time without fail) makes the relay under the seat click but nothing more.  No dash lights, no head/tail light etc.  Another point eliminated.

Test relay under the seat?

Ignition switch?

Starter & solenoid?

JM

[ducpainter]

I'm thinking relay.

Just cause the coil clicks doesn't necessarily mean a connection.

You might be able to pull the cover and clean the contacts.

If not, it's just a 30 amp relay. Bosch makes the exact same thing for driving/fog lamps.

[the_Journeyman]

Thanks.  I'll check on that tomorrow and post results.  AFAIK, this is the original relay on this bike (Ducati part number & Made in Italy stamped on it) so that makes it nearly 14 years almost 40,000 miles old.  Also, it seems I had been riding with a loose motor to frame ground.

JM

[Howie]

Remove relay.  Jump 30 and 87.  If the bike powers up and starts it is probably the relay.  To confirm make sure there is power at terminal 87 and 86 is grounded.

[the_Journeyman]

Thanks Howie!  Will do.

JM

[the_Journeyman]

I tried to jump 87 to 30 and still no lights/headlight

So, only working with a test light (still hunting battery for meter) that shows 5V, 12V and 12.5V.  Battery gives a green light (12.5V across the poles, so the tester is at least somewhat useful.

If I put the positive probe on 87 and the ground clip on the frame or motor etc, I get a 5V light. 

If move the ground clip to 86, I get no light at all.

1.  Shouldn't I see more than 5V on 87?

2.  Getting no light across 87 to 86 means ground problem?

Thanks,
JM

[ducpainter]

What voltage between 30 and ground?

Do you have a wiring diagram?

[the_Journeyman]

No reading between 30 and ground. 

No actual diagram, but I am looking at a good parts fiche that shows the routing of the wires and locations of various connections and fuses.  I'm going to also check the battery box ground as it looks to be rather oxidized.

JM

[ducpainter]

No reading between 30 and ground. 

No actual diagram, but I am looking at a good parts fiche that shows the routing of the wires and locations of various connections and fuses.  I'm going to also check the battery box ground as it looks to be rather oxidized.

JM

I was going to suggest that you check under the box.

I have the wiring diagram from my 96 if you want it...should be the same.

[the_Journeyman]

The fiche is doing a pretty good job, but if you want to post it, it would be good to have.

More checks, using battery negative terminal as ground:
12.5V at 30 amp fuse terminal in box
12.5V at main fuse terminal (the one right by the coils)
5V to ignition fuse terminal

I'm suspecting my ground cable from the battery to under the box.

Pos. battery terminal to neg. battery terminal:  12.5V
Pos. battery terminal to other end of ground wife:  5V

Cleaned ground wire contact, got a flickering 12.0V to 12.5V from pos. terminal to end of ground wire.  I might just replaced that little bit of ground wire.  It's got a tiny exposed section near the battery terminal and it is white from corrosion.

JM

[the_Journeyman]

Solution!

I replaced the piece of ground wire from the battery negative terminal to where it bolts to the frame.  That fixed the entire problem.

JM

[ducpainter]

Sweet.

[ungeheuer]