Running on one and tried all I know - HELP!

06-08-2004, 08:19 PM

Been away on holiday for about three weeks and return to find the bike which has never missed a beat will only run on the rear cylinder. No spark to the front and the sun is shining!

Expected a bit of condesation at the worst but..

Stripped everything down and tried as much as I can given illogical tendencies and this is what I find after a days head scratching.

Coils seem fine although secondary readings fall outside of Haynes limits of 10.8k ohms - 16.20 ohms with 16.29 and 16.71.

A few dodgy bits of wire but nothing that couldn't be eliminated.

However at the moment I can't get a reading across the terminals of the front pick up coil wheras the rear is spot on.

Questions:

Could the pick up coil give up the ghost just by standing for a couple of weeks?

Is it an easy job to replace it/them?

Am I missing something like another dodgy connection that could cause this?

And does anyone know (or have their tank up to see) which way the two wires (red/white) go into the connector block from the front pick up coil to the left hand ignition control unit (as you sit on the bike). I took them out without noting which way and they are the only ones not colour coded in Haynes.

Any leads (arf arf) gratefully received.

Cheers, Paul.

spacemonkey · 07-08-2004, 12:32 AM

"And does anyone know (or have their tank up to see) which way the two wires (red/white) go into the connector block from the front pick up coil to the left hand ignition control unit (as you sit on the bike). I took them out without noting which way and they are the only ones not colour coded in Haynes."

I did the exact same thing! Trouble is my bike is still in the shop so I can't help..

Mine had tyhe same prob and it was simply thet the wires had frayed and snapped in the connectors themselves, and it wasn't visible. And the female part of the connector had stretched and thus wasn't connecting well. Pick up coils are a nightmare...

07-08-2004, 02:33 AM

Thanks Nick

"Pick up coils are a nightmare..."

I'll sleep soundly now.

Paul.

07-08-2004, 09:20 AM

Thay bloody well are, I had the same problem last year and it was compounded by the fact that I had to wait for the Ducati factory to have their summer holiday before I could get a new set delivered!

My pick up coil went after a few days just standing around as well. I eventually replaced the pair when the new 'uns arrived but wired it the wrong way around (it still ran but ate a spark plug in minutes). I had also forgotten to check out which way round the wires went.

I have to go out today but will check later and let you know which way round they go (unless I get beaten to it by another helpful member)

07-08-2004, 02:50 PM

Thanks Nik

No info. on correct way to wire yet but have continued my investigations and can't do much more till Monday.

Definitely no reading across front pick up leads which to me means there's a short circuit somewhere. The wires are a bit frayed at the end but not broken and it seems unlikely there would be a break inside the sheathing going down to the engine casing so I am left with the conclusion that the front pick up is a gonner. It's one of those things that drives me nuts - something giving up while sitting doing nothing!

Phoned Ducati Coventry but technical man not there till Monday but I was told that pick up coils and wiring are all available separately.
Is it received wisdom to do the lot? I presume it's a case of drain oil, split the case and replace the gasket afterwards. Do the new pick ups go on without messing up the timing?

Frustrated but thanks again for the advice.

Paul.

07-08-2004, 06:13 PM

The pick up coils and wiring sub-harness come as a complete set, you have to re-use the old plastic connectors though.

I'll certainly get back to you before the end of the weekend with the correct way round to wire them up (will try and take a couple of snaps to post up too).

Yep, the oil has to be drained as I found out to my detriment last year. Couldn't get another gasket and was told by Ducati Ashford that they no longer make 'em. Blue Hylomar does a reasonable job though.

As for the pick up coils themselves, refitting the new is no real hassle (the most difficult bit being threading the wires back through the grommet). The air gap should be fine if you leave the plates in place and just fix the new coils straight on to them.

Good luck on Monday.

26-09-2004, 04:16 PM

Well here I still am almost two months later without a running bike. Does that seem a bit excessive to wait for a simple part to anyone else? Not one single word of communication from Ducati Coventry or U.K. nor a reply to an email sent to Italy. Now there's customer service for you!!!

In the meantime I thought I might encourage them by preparing the job. Managed to borrow a puller and I've followed the procedure in Haynes but find that the cover won't come all the way off because it comes up against the casting where the side stand bolts on! No mention of this in the book.

Has anyone else had this problem and can it be resolved by removing the left hand footrest hanger? (or at least loosening it at all the fixing points).

Generally pissed -off with Ducati but haven't yet got out the lump hammer.

Paul.

26-09-2004, 04:57 PM

I've had my cases on both sides off this year and yup, bloody awkward. The gear levers and hangers/ cans need to come off too, watch out on the lh side tho as the lower hanger bolt secures the side stand (which you guessed it comes off too) removing these things is dead easy but a pain. I also used a sharpie (pen) to mark the angle of the lever so putting it back in the right place was less of a chore.
Alex

spacemonkey · 26-09-2004, 08:37 PM

If it6 makes you feel any better, I have been waiting for an essential camshaft and pulley since June. Isn't the factory wonderful , eh? Just 'cos they have nice riding weather all year, doesn't mean the rest of us have... Gits.

26-09-2004, 10:28 PM

Im sure EU working condition harmonisation will soon put a stop to this "holiday" nonsense...

26-09-2004, 11:05 PM

What? You mean they shut down for two months. Well if only I'd known I'd have bought something else for my daily transport!

Thanks Alex - got the cover off by removing the bolt by the sidestand and just loosening the next one. No sign of a gasket or any 'instant' stuff either. It hasn't been leaking oil either.

Paul.

06-08-2004, 08:19 PM	#1
IpauloGTS Guest Posts: n/a	Running on one and tried all I know - HELP! Been away on holiday for about three weeks and return to find the bike which has never missed a beat will only run on the rear cylinder. No spark to the front and the sun is shining! Expected a bit of condesation at the worst but.. Stripped everything down and tried as much as I can given illogical tendencies and this is what I find after a days head scratching. Coils seem fine although secondary readings fall outside of Haynes limits of 10.8k ohms - 16.20 ohms with 16.29 and 16.71. A few dodgy bits of wire but nothing that couldn't be eliminated. However at the moment I can't get a reading across the terminals of the front pick up coil wheras the rear is spot on. Questions: Could the pick up coil give up the ghost just by standing for a couple of weeks? Is it an easy job to replace it/them? Am I missing something like another dodgy connection that could cause this? And does anyone know (or have their tank up to see) which way the two wires (red/white) go into the connector block from the front pick up coil to the left hand ignition control unit (as you sit on the bike). I took them out without noting which way and they are the only ones not colour coded in Haynes. Any leads (arf arf) gratefully received. Cheers, Paul.

07-08-2004, 12:32 AM	#2
spacemonkey I see dead people. Join Date: May 2003 Location: Carving a slice thru the braindead masses..(pun intended) Bike: M900 Posts: 1,464	"And does anyone know (or have their tank up to see) which way the two wires (red/white) go into the connector block from the front pick up coil to the left hand ignition control unit (as you sit on the bike). I took them out without noting which way and they are the only ones not colour coded in Haynes." I did the exact same thing! Trouble is my bike is still in the shop so I can't help.. Mine had tyhe same prob and it was simply thet the wires had frayed and snapped in the connectors themselves, and it wasn't visible. And the female part of the connector had stretched and thus wasn't connecting well. Pick up coils are a nightmare... __________________ http://www.jasperfforde.com/swindon/7wonders.html

26-09-2004, 04:16 PM	#7
IpauloGTS Guest Posts: n/a	Crankcase Cover Removal Well here I still am almost two months later without a running bike. Does that seem a bit excessive to wait for a simple part to anyone else? Not one single word of communication from Ducati Coventry or U.K. nor a reply to an email sent to Italy. Now there's customer service for you!!! In the meantime I thought I might encourage them by preparing the job. Managed to borrow a puller and I've followed the procedure in Haynes but find that the cover won't come all the way off because it comes up against the casting where the side stand bolts on! No mention of this in the book. Has anyone else had this problem and can it be resolved by removing the left hand footrest hanger? (or at least loosening it at all the fixing points). Generally pissed -off with Ducati but haven't yet got out the lump hammer. Paul.

26-09-2004, 08:37 PM	#9
spacemonkey I see dead people. Join Date: May 2003 Location: Carving a slice thru the braindead masses..(pun intended) Bike: M900 Posts: 1,464	If it6 makes you feel any better, I have been waiting for an essential camshaft and pulley since June. Isn't the factory wonderful , eh? Just 'cos they have nice riding weather all year, doesn't mean the rest of us have... Gits. __________________ http://www.jasperfforde.com/swindon/7wonders.html

07-08-2004, 02:33 AM	#3
IpauloGTS Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks Nick "Pick up coils are a nightmare..." I'll sleep soundly now. Paul.

07-08-2004, 09:20 AM	#4
nik_the_brief Guest Posts: n/a	Thay bloody well are, I had the same problem last year and it was compounded by the fact that I had to wait for the Ducati factory to have their summer holiday before I could get a new set delivered! My pick up coil went after a few days just standing around as well. I eventually replaced the pair when the new 'uns arrived but wired it the wrong way around (it still ran but ate a spark plug in minutes). I had also forgotten to check out which way round the wires went. I have to go out today but will check later and let you know which way round they go (unless I get beaten to it by another helpful member)

07-08-2004, 02:50 PM	#5
IpauloGTS Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks Nik No info. on correct way to wire yet but have continued my investigations and can't do much more till Monday. Definitely no reading across front pick up leads which to me means there's a short circuit somewhere. The wires are a bit frayed at the end but not broken and it seems unlikely there would be a break inside the sheathing going down to the engine casing so I am left with the conclusion that the front pick up is a gonner. It's one of those things that drives me nuts - something giving up while sitting doing nothing! Phoned Ducati Coventry but technical man not there till Monday but I was told that pick up coils and wiring are all available separately. Is it received wisdom to do the lot? I presume it's a case of drain oil, split the case and replace the gasket afterwards. Do the new pick ups go on without messing up the timing? Frustrated but thanks again for the advice. Paul.

07-08-2004, 06:13 PM	#6
nik_the_brief Guest Posts: n/a	The pick up coils and wiring sub-harness come as a complete set, you have to re-use the old plastic connectors though. I'll certainly get back to you before the end of the weekend with the correct way round to wire them up (will try and take a couple of snaps to post up too). Yep, the oil has to be drained as I found out to my detriment last year. Couldn't get another gasket and was told by Ducati Ashford that they no longer make 'em. Blue Hylomar does a reasonable job though. As for the pick up coils themselves, refitting the new is no real hassle (the most difficult bit being threading the wires back through the grommet). The air gap should be fine if you leave the plates in place and just fix the new coils straight on to them. Good luck on Monday.

26-09-2004, 04:57 PM	#8
A Yerbury Guest Posts: n/a	I've had my cases on both sides off this year and yup, bloody awkward. The gear levers and hangers/ cans need to come off too, watch out on the lh side tho as the lower hanger bolt secures the side stand (which you guessed it comes off too) removing these things is dead easy but a pain. I also used a sharpie (pen) to mark the angle of the lever so putting it back in the right place was less of a chore. Alex

26-09-2004, 10:28 PM	#10
A Yerbury Guest Posts: n/a	Im sure EU working condition harmonisation will soon put a stop to this "holiday" nonsense...

26-09-2004, 11:05 PM	#11
IpauloGTS Guest Posts: n/a	What? You mean they shut down for two months. Well if only I'd known I'd have bought something else for my daily transport! Thanks Alex - got the cover off by removing the bolt by the sidestand and just loosening the next one. No sign of a gasket or any 'instant' stuff either. It hasn't been leaking oil either. Paul.