SP wouldn't start, then would, then wouldn't... It was the key, then it wasn't. - Ducati.ms

Maximo · Sep 15th, 2011, 12:33 am

Left work and it took 3 tries on the starter button. Lights, power, no starter. First time it ever that it hasn't started on the first turn.

Got gas 10 minutes later and took 5 tries to start. hmmm.

Left a restaurant an hour later, took 8 tries, *hit, what's wrong?

Got home (fortunately) and then wouldn't start at all; same lights, checks, hum, no starter as if it was immobilized.

Spent 2 hours checking kickstand sensor, battery, wiring/ground, etc. Finally tried my other key and it fired up, whew. What's weird is that later I tried it again with original key (with other key separated in house) and it started right up with no issues?

I searched and found in another thread that the MTS key fobs get interference from iPhones, which I have, but it didn't seem to be related here. Anyone else experience this? Can your key lose it's code (gradually???) and then reset automatically once the bike gets it from another source?

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nethern · Sep 15th, 2011, 4:31 am

Battery voltage?

Maximo · Sep 15th, 2011, 8:46 am

Voltage was/is good...as indicated by the dash and ext. meter. Had it on a charger for the two hours of tinkering.

I really think it was the key and somehow corrected itself after I used my second key. At one point of running thru the dash menu several times I saw an error message and I think ??? I saw the 4 digit code screen but I was cycling thru it so quick I'm not completely confident.

Based on the iPhone caper I read in the MST thread I'm going to mess around with my iPhone/key exposure and see if there's a correlation.

Anyway, it fired up as usual on the first turn this AM, with both keys, so the ghost has left the machine. if your HM won't start someday put "try other key" on the list of things to try even though it doesn't make much sense.

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Decreasing Dave · Sep 15th, 2011, 2:19 pm

I've had that happen before and I think it was the immobilizer. I had to take the key out and reinsert it for the bike to start.

One thing that I do now is have the key facing the same way everytime and I haven't had a problem since. If you look at the key from the bottom (part that goes into the ignition), you will see a metal "tang" that sticks forward from the "key" part, in the "grip" part. I try to keep the "tang" part forward and all has been well.

Dave

johnchypermotard · Sep 15th, 2011, 2:35 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decreasing Dave

I try to keep the "tang" part forward and all has been well.

Dave

silly decreasing dave ... tang is for astronauts ... and the ryans

Maximo · Sep 15th, 2011, 4:00 pm

Cool, thanks for the info. I will definitely try the consistent key orientation; I was wondering if during my several attempts I put the key in the same way and if that made a difference. At the risk of fouling something again I'm still gonna introduce my iPhone to the circuit just for experimentation... I'll report back.

"vodka and tang... Breakfast of alcoholic astronauts". Anonymous Astronaut

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Ricoyam · Sep 15th, 2011, 4:40 pm

I've had my bike not start on a couple of occasions. I thought it may have been in the ignition switch itself since cycling the key once or twice seemed to do the trick. I'll try to pay more attention if/when it happens again.
I was under the belief that the immobilizer just kept the engine from running. When my bike has acted up it wouldn't crank although all other systems seemed normal.

**CDONA** · Sep 16th, 2011, 11:50 am

My guess that the RFD scanners used for inventory security at the exits of stores may have issues with our "smart" keys too. The immobilizer will kill the starter sequencer only, all other systems work.

Maximo · Sep 17th, 2011, 10:27 am

Gotta be the same thing... Everything normal but no starter. Is it just a matter of inputting your code if it gets fouled? Really don't want to carry and treat my spare key like a piece of kryptonite in a lead box. still doesn't explain how the key worked later ...after using the second key. Anybody disconnect the immobilizer???

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Decreasing Dave · Sep 17th, 2011, 3:00 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximo

Gotta be the same thing... Everything normal but no starter. Is it just a matter of inputting your code if it gets fouled? Really don't want to carry and treat my spare key like a piece of kryptonite in a lead box. still doesn't explain how the key worked later ...after using the second key. Anybody disconnect the immobilizer???

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Alex (08Hyper), just cut the wires.

It worked for him. The added benefit is NOW he can spell......

Dave