Bike trip tomorrow - speedo not working, engine light on!

[Pilbara Duke]

Yesterday I took the fairings off to check the bike over ready for a 1 week bike trip. At the same time I installed the Desmo Times fan and manual override switch plus a "Powerlet" power outlet inside the fairing wired to the battery. During the operation I disconnected the battery and of course had to disconnect and reconnect the instrument cluster. After I had reassembled everything the bike checked out all ok. Today when I rode the bike, after about 15 mins all of a sudden the speedo dropped to zero, the check engine light is illuminated and the ABS light is up. Apart from that the bike runs fine.

I disconnected and reconnected the instrument cluster however problem does not go away. The connection looks very clean so I did not clean it with anything (eg. contact cleaner etc). I have many years experience at automotive and industrial electrical wiring so the job was performed properly.

Does anyone have experience with solving a similar problem, I would especially like to know as I am about to depart on a 1 week bike trip tomorrow with my father (he is 75 and still loves bikes and is very fit) + my mate.

I plan to take the bike to a dealer to see if they can held relieve me of some of my money however not sure if they an assist me as they will most likely say "book it in for next week". Should I ride the bike in this condition?

[DuckMan]

Did you check the front wheel abs/speed sensor?

[jazzgangsta]

Originally Posted by Pilbara Duke

Yesterday I took the fairings off to check the bike over ready for a 1 week bike trip. At the same time I installed the Desmo Times fan and manual override switch plus a "Powerlet" power outlet inside the fairing wired to the battery. During the operation I disconnected the battery and of course had to disconnect and reconnect the instrument cluster. After I had reassembled everything the bike checked out all ok. Today when I rode the bike, after about 15 mins all of a sudden the speedo dropped to zero, the check engine light is illuminated and the ABS light is up. Apart from that the bike runs fine.

I disconnected and reconnected the instrument cluster however problem does not go away. The connection looks very clean so I did not clean it with anything (eg. contact cleaner etc). I have many years experience at automotive and industrial electrical wiring so the job was performed properly.

Does anyone have experience with solving a similar problem, I would especially like to know as I am about to depart on a 1 week bike trip tomorrow with my father (he is 75 and still loves bikes and is very fit) + my mate.

I plan to take the bike to a dealer to see if they can held relieve me of some of my money however not sure if they an assist me as they will most likely say "book it in for next week". Should I ride the bike in this condition?

My nearly brand-new '06 ST3 had the same problem after 200+ miles. Rode another 1000 miles, no issue.

Took it in a few times. We started with securing the electrics to the computer with special electrical spray, etc. Didn't work. Then, we took off the rear sensor, cleaned it, and used the same spray. Additionally, we found that Ducati had installed a very thin shim between the sensor and the mounting in the rear. We removed the shim, problem solved! It was just too far from the pick-up and not reading, causing the error.

Good luck!

[Pilbara Duke]

Thanks for the excellent feedback, sounds very logical what you say, I should have thought of that. Pulled the fairing off again! Cleaned both front and rear speed pickup connections with contact cleaner and a fiberglass brush. Problem still there. Comes up with the check engine light soon as the ignition is turned on. Looks like I will ride on regardless and sort it out when I get back.

[Ducologist]

Put a piece of electrical tape over the engine light and call it good.