Ducati 999 issues

[Pettas]

Hi all!

So I've had an 05 999 for the past 5k miles, completely problem free. 2 weeks ago, I am riding to work, and the thing shuts off under cruising. I try to restart it, and it just cranks, but does not fire. I park it at a gas station, go back 2 hours later, and it starts right up. This has happened 2 other times since, once yesterday(started up after 5 minutes this time), and the other was today. However, in the 10-15 minutes messing with it, it wouldn't start and ended up draining the battery.

Here is the weird thing. When its in this condition, If I hit the start button, it keeps cranking for 10-15 seconds even if I dont hold the button. The fuel pump is kicking on, the neutral light is as well. Has anyone experienced this, and/or have any solutions/suggestions. I have a video I will be uploading later as well. Thanks again!

-Andre

[EagleRider]

Could you be experiencing intermittent issues with the side stand safety cutoff switch? (cuts out even when the stand is properly up?)

As for the continued cranking, I believe that was normal for that bike - press the button once, let go and it continues to crank until the engine fires. (not the world's brightest engineering idea)

[ZDM]

The last paragraph is normal with the 999. It will allow the engine to auto crank so many times then shut off. I guess it helps save the battery and starter as they both could be easily over stressed. IMO it's kind of a nice feature.
FYI--- The owners manual says to wait 10-15 seconds in between starting to let the battery recoup and starter to cool down. I was told to follow that...
Is there a yellow error code light appearing? Check all your connections....every where. Sounds like something is over heating causing the ECU to shut the motor down. The problem is possibilities are endless. In would take the fairings off and just check everything electrical-starter lead to solenoid, solenoid, battery ground, coil sticks, relays....you might find something obvious...

[duc you]

Originally Posted by EagleRider

As for the continued cranking, I believe that was normal for that bike - press the button once, let go and it continues to crank until the engine fires. (not the world's brightest engineering idea)

i like the auto start feature. push the button, and go about putting on helmet or gloves while the bike starts itself. if there was an issue, all you have to do is flip the kill switch or turn the key off and it will stop cranking. there are a lot of car manufacturers using this feature too, so there must be a lot of people who like it...

[Dennie]

Maybe a stupid advice, but when it happens again, just open your fuel cap slowly and listen of you hear air goining in. If you hear it, your tank is sucking itself vacuum and your breather will be closed somehow.

I had that issue a long time ago with an Aprilia and my dealer couldn't find the problem. It found it by chance

[ducati2242]

Could well be what Dennie has suggested . Could also be an intermittent fuel pump relay thats what I have just had to deal with .

[Pettas]

Update-

Yesterday, I took the new battery back, and replaced it. Charged the new one for 3 years, put it on the bike. Went on a 50-60 mile ride no issues. This morning, bike starts fine, I get about 30 feet from my house it shuts off. Try to restart, does the same thing for 3-5 minutes, and then starts. I head to the gas station, fill up, and the bike does the same thing again, takes another couple minutes to start. After that, it ran fine for my 20 mile commute.

I've cleaned the battery terminals and checked other connections multiple times. It does not throw any check engine lights or anything, really a weird issue if you ask me. I keep an eye on the volt meter the whole time, and its keeping a full 14 when running, even when it cuts out.

I will check the suggestions above for sure, but keep the ideas rolling, thanks!

[Pettas]

"Could you be experiencing intermittent issues with the side stand safety cutoff switch? (cuts out even when the stand is properly up?)"

Wouldnt it not crank if this was the issue?

[Pettas]

"Maybe a stupid advice, but when it happens again, just open your fuel cap slowly and listen of you hear air goining in. If you hear it, your tank is sucking itself vacuum and your breather will be closed somehow.

I had that issue a long time ago with an Aprilia and my dealer couldn't find the problem. It found it by chance "

How would this be fixed?

[draganc]

Not the same vehicle, but I had the same start/cranking issues on my car. it was the crank postion sensor.

Dragan

PS: I have a 999R and find the auto-start function also a bit strange.