796 starting issue - Ducati.ms

toddm1234 · Dec 29th, 2011, 3:05 pm

Ok, just went outside to start up the 796- its cold, about 35 degrees, and it kicked over then for a second and died. Went to try again, and it won't kick over, and the oil light is staying on.. There is no oil leakage, and the battery is fine -been on a charger. All the lights come on. Could it be the oil is not showing up because its all at the bottom, and now the engine thinks there isn't enough oil to start???

Thanks for any help.

breckduc · Dec 29th, 2011, 4:15 pm

I have the same problem in the summer here as it is typically 40 degrees first thing in the morning even in July. The easy fix has to leave it plugged into a battery tender JR overnight. I still had some trouble getting it to start below 35 degrees but if I left the battery tender plugged in for the first crank I could usually get it to start. These bikes have a tiny battery and can't take more than several cranks without a recharge from a battery tender or a few miles of riding.

Edit - just reread your post and saw that you are already using a charger. did you check the battery voltage display to see if your charger is actually working? Should be @ 13.7 volts.

toddm1234 · Dec 30th, 2011, 8:32 am

I am all set. It appears that oil is at the bottom, and upon first start the engine kicks over, but stalls. When you try to restart- the engine sensor must keep you from doing that - as the oil light is on and it probably thinks there is no oil in the engine.. just have to wait a few mins and it starts.

HyperDuc796 · Dec 30th, 2011, 12:27 pm

That doesn't sound fixed. The oil light will always be on when the ignition is turned on and engine isn't running. Oil pressure will not affect the starting unless the motor is already seized. You have another problem.

PJC1909 · Dec 30th, 2011, 12:41 pm

That has happened to me once or twice. If it turns over but doesn't catch, you can try it again, but if that doesn't work, let it sit for five minutes, then try again. Maybe it's some little bug in the cold start fuel map?

toddm1234 · Jan 3rd, 2012, 2:34 pm

Im gonna guess its a cold start issue. This only happened when it was not run for over a week and its been about 25 degrees out. My guess is some kind of mapping. its at about 600miles, so i;ll be bringing it in for the first service this spring.. for now its hooked up to the slow charger and waiting till its warm.... No i hate winter.

nethern · Jan 14th, 2012, 1:13 am

Anyone think this will help? I saw the ad in this forum.

starting upgrade for Ducati motorcycles

Basically, it allows more current with a lot thicker copper cable. Claim to start in 1-2 secs.

vroooom · Jan 14th, 2012, 8:05 am

ha3 i think you missed a posting from ccemn a week ago. he bought one of those cables.

Help!