Please help, bike won't start, it's wet through!

[hammy]

Dear all

Due to my car being knackered (also italian) I rode to work yesterday on my 2003 750 Monster. During the day there were spells of torrential rain, which my beloved had to bear. She was fine yesterday, but I struggled to get her going this morning. I've just been out to see her again now & she won't start!:worried:

With the headlamp or sidelights turned on, I get no reaction whatsoever when turning the key, not even a light on the dash or the usual needle swirl, & the imobiliser light still keeps flashing.

When the lights are turned of I get the usual neutral & oil lights on, but the needles just twitch slightly, & when the starter is pressed, the engine turns, but simoultaneously the imobiliser light starts flashing but at longer & slower intervals than when the bike's parked up. She just wont fire:worried:

I can only assume it's due to yesterdays weather!

Please help, otherwise I'll have to stay at work for the rest of my life!

Cheers David

[Stafford]

When was the last time you took "her" out ?
I found my S4 was poor starting, took a few go's etc.
But I've just got an Optimiser thing for the battery and it's sweet.
Cheers
quarxuk

[nick40]

you got a flat battery mate, get an optimizer is my advice


Nick

[hammy]

Quarxuk

Rode 'her' to work & back most of last week, had a good spin at the weekend, got me to work & back yesterday, & into work this morning... after a little coaxing! It was more luck than judgement that she started. I was gonna give up but thought one last try & hey presto! But now I'm stranded at work!:grump:

I can only assume it was yesterdays downpoor that's caused the problem?

Cheers
David

[hammy]

you got a flat battery mate, get an optimizer is my advice


Nick

Thanks Nick, do you think so?

It's just that I got into work ok this morning (about 7 miles) & I've had a little play in the last few minutes, & 'random things' are happening.

Different combinations of flickering needles, dashboard lights etc. etc. each time I try to start her up. Surely if the battery was knackered, she'd just be dead? That's what's making me think it could be dodgy electrics/moisture...?

What do you reckon?

David

[nick40]

Thanks Nick, do you think so?

It's just that I got into work ok this morning (about 7 miles) & I've had a little play in the last few minutes, & 'random things' are happening.

Different combinations of flickering needles, dashboard lights etc. etc. each time I try to start her up. Surely if the battery was knackered, she'd just be dead? That's what's making me think it could be dodgy electrics/moisture...?

What do you reckon?

David

Try spraying all your electrics with WD40 or some other water repellant, including switchgear and ignition bits and bobs, an optimiser might be a good idea anyway, they are about £30, my bike has always been ok in the wet but my mates acts strange in the rain and WD40 sorted it out.

Nick

[hammy]

Cheers Nick

Not got an optimiser, but just got a lift home to get my charger & a tin of WD40, so gonna try it again shortly. Keep your fingers crossed! Otherwise my baby's gonna spend the night in my office, I'm sure my MD will appreciate that!!!:mand:

David

[Rockhopper]

Did you leave the ignition key in the "park" position by any chance?

[hammy]

Did you leave the ignition key in the "park" position by any chance?

I won't have done that (I don't think!), my garage is pretty dark so I'd have noticed when I put her away last night. She's charging now & had all electrical bits given a spot of WD40 so fingers crossed!

Cheers

[stef]

I won't have done that (I don't think!), my garage is pretty dark so I'd have noticed when I put her away last night. She's charging now & had all electrical bits given a spot of WD40 so fingers crossed!

Cheers

Flat battery, i reckon..
Not enough juice to throw the relay and get the started motor going..
I did happen to me a few weeks ago. changed the battery and the problem has gone.

[Shandy]

I reckon a flat battery too, trouble is that could mean that the altenators not re-charging it when your on the move especially if you only do short journeys.

Easiest thing to do is change battery if the old one won't hold a charge and see what happens.

Shandy

[Jim66a]

Sounds like a cell in the battery has failed, so even if it is getting a charge the output is low, which would cause the imobiliser problem. Time for a new battery I think.

[gobbins boy]

I'd check the conections to the battery or alternatively check the connection to the coils and give them a good scoot of WD40. My 600ss was giving similar probs turned out to be the neg wire had rattled loose, but the not firing could be the neg wire from the coil connection. Happy hunting

[hammy]

Thanks for all your input folks! Still no joy:cry: Battery's had a full charge, but no means at the moment to test it to see if it's knackered. Spoke to Ducati John last night who seems to think it could be a dodgy relay & that she was stood in p**sing down rain for a couple of hours!

She's just doing some crazy things depending on what levers/buttons/switches I activate. Everythings totally dead when the brake lever's gripped, but the engine turns over when I release it. Similarly, all goes dead when the horn is pressed (but doesn't make a sound). Other times the engine doesn't turn, lights on dash don't come on etc.etc.

It appears to have a mind of it's own!

I'll keep you posted, when / IF I ever get her going.:worried:

In the meantime, more suggestions greatly received.

Cheers
Hammy

[manwithredbike]

start from basics, eliminate one bit at a time.
- check battery connections, earth strap connection etc.
- check fuses
- try another battery. even one which doesnt fit, connect it with heavycable / jump lead
- try getting the loan of a main relay to try

[Bodybag]

...One more thing to try would be the multiplug on the bottom of your dash panel. I know they're supposed to be waterproof but it is Italian after all!! Ensure its dry inside and plugged in properly.

Phil

[nick40]

If all else fails consider an exorcism, sounds like you could have a manifstation................Maybe an evil Japbike spirit!

Nick

[hammy]

Cheers boys, (don't know if any ladies have posted on this thread)

We're off!!:banana:

Had a fiddle (swaped over) a couple of relays mounted right next to the battery & all the strange happenings ceased, she just wouldn't fire, so obviously a dodgy switch, although don't know what each switch is for?

Just been out to pick up another from Ducati John (top man!!!) & she's purring like a very loud pussycat with a pair of carbon cans:yoparty:

So fortunately not been possessed by an evil Japbike spirit, just a bit of tempemental Italian charm, I still love her:heart:

Also just had a call from the Alfa garage to let me know my car's back on the road too, what a day:biggrin:

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[Bodybag]

...for Italian mechanical things. :mand:

[stef]

Glad you got it sorted.
so will we see you at squiers this weekend, for that MAD event ?

[hammy]

Glad you got it sorted.
so will we see you at squiers this weekend, for that MAD event ?

Morning Stef, It's been a long time since our little run out to Squires that cold November afternoon!

I'm not going to be able to make it this weekend:( but hoping to nip up there Saturday morning to say hello to anyone who's about. Might even have a spin on Friday night too, apparently there's a couple of people travelling up that day. I'll give you a bell when I'm home Friday night if you fancy a bit of a run out? I presume your still on the same number?

Maybe see you then.

David

[stef]

Still the same number, David, but tricky for me on friday or sat. morning.
i'll manage saturday afternoon and some of sunday, but that's about it !
(got a 6months old boy to entertain these days !)