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2005 749R Won't Start

1858 Views 13 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  st2lemans
Took delivery of this bike 3 weeks ago.

2 days after taking delivery of the bike, and after putting about 100 street miles on the bike, I took it to the track for its first track day.

After that, I commuted on it here and there to get used to the bike some more. No issues at all up until this point (which doesn't say much, I know).

Today, I took the bike out to its second track day with the intention of getting more comfortable on the bike and to set up suspension, levers, etc.

I went out for a session, came in, made some more adjustments to suspension, then went to start the bike and the bike wouldn't start.

  • The fuel pump primes
  • The check engine, oil, & neutral lights stay on after the initial lights on sequence of the bike
    • This is abnormal as the check engine light normally doesn't come on. Normally, all dash lights come on, then just the oil & neutral lights. However, right now, when you put the key in, then go to start the bike, the check engine light comes on first, then all lights light up on the dash & go off, then the check engine, oil, & neutral lights stay on.
  • The top red LED light flashes twice
  • The key code light stays on, but as far as I know, this has been this way since taking delivery of the bike, but I'm not 100% sure, only about 85% sure.
We took both fairings off, checked fuses beside the battery (removed them then put them back in), wiggled what wiring connections we could see. Went to start the bike, and it started. This was after about 20 minutes of fiddling with it and taking the key in and out a few times and messing with the connections.

I went out for another session (after missing a session from all of this), came back in early to adjust my toe shift lever. Then went to start the bike back up, and it won't start. It's doing the same thing all over again, only this time, 6 hours later, and it still won't start.

We came home and tried the other two keys (black and red) and get nothing.

We're thinking it has something to do with the immobilizer, but we're not 100% sure here.

Obviously we'll check voltage to the starter solenoid, we just didn't have a voltmeter @ the track with us.

Bike has less than 6k miles on it. I'm still finding things on the bike that the original owners added. The bike has the half Termi kit on it, so I'm assuming it has the Ducati Performance ECU as well.

Has anyone else had anything similar happen to them? Any ideas? Any suggestions of what to check?
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Gotta explain what you mean by doesn't start.

Does the motor turn over when you hit the starter?
What's the voltage read-out on the dash?

Sounds to me like you've just got a loose cable on the starter relay. Very common issue with all ducati's.



Sorry, fuel pump will prime, hit the starter button and get absolutely nothing. No spark, no motor turning over, nothing.

Voltage readout on the dash will be 11.8 - 12v.
Yea, thats the solenoid plug. Its a very common issue, I hot-glued mine into position. :D



For future refernce where is that plug. At the starter motor end or some thing at near the starter button/handle bar.
This is our 5th Duc and we've thus far not had this issue on any of them.

I'll see if I can check it tonight.

IIRC, it's to the bottom left of the battery.
I also had such problems when I replaced the OEM key surround with a CF one. Problem resolved when I RTVed the antenna into the CF surround (I had a spare form the ST4S steering damper kit I got for my ST2).

And also the bad connector to the solenoid has occurred on my ST2.

Tom
I also had such problems when I replaced the OEM key surround with a CF one. Problem resolved when I RTVed the antenna into the CF surround (I had a spare form the ST4S steering damper kit I got for my ST2).
Ohh yea... especially since the OP said the service light was on...



See, it's the stock key surround...nothing's changed there.

But we will check there for sure.

I was wondering if the check engine light would even come on if there was a lose connection to the starter solenoid....seems a bit strange if it would...
Well, if it doesn't see the key, but the bike is turned on... it confuses it a bit. ;)



Could also be a bad antenna or antenna connection.

Tom
Well, if it doesn't see the key, but the bike is turned on... it confuses it a bit. ;)
I could see this with the antenna, but not with the solenoid...strange...

either way, my husband looked @ it this AM while I was at work early...and the antenna under they key surround had come completely lose...didn't start it up as my mom is also in town for her birthday and it was 6 am...she's still sleeping...it's probably this issue though, thanks goodness!!

This was never an issue on our MS4R...:think:
Tom,

Can you elaborate? What is RTVed? I know the antenna in question is located under the key housing but how did it become loose? I seem to be having the same problem with my ST4S.

Thanks,


I also had such problems when I replaced the OEM key surround with a CF one. Problem resolved when I RTVed the antenna into the CF surround (I had a spare form the ST4S steering damper kit I got for my ST2).

And also the bad connector to the solenoid has occurred on my ST2.

Tom
RTV = Room Temperature Vulcanizing (silicone), aka bathroom caulk.

In my case, I have an aftermarket carbon fiber key surround, so I had to install the antenna in it. At first, I just had it sitting in it, but after a few experiences of the bike not starting, I glued it in with RTV. The RTV is easy to removing in case I need/want to, which is why I didn't use epoxy.

In the OEM surround, it is clipped in, and I suppose that the clips can break due to vibration, though I haven't had that problem myself. Just remove the surround, and look inside. If the antenna is loose (it's a plastic-encased coil), glue it in, as close to the top as possible (to get it close to the key).

Tom
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