Engine cutting out/down while commuting

[3L4NS1R]

On the way to work today, my engine did a very odd thing - It cut out, but not completely... the rev meter shot straight to 0, but there was still enough power to crawl with the traffic?

Pulled over after a bit, turned it off, turned it on twice before it sorted itself out. Then about 2 kms down the road it did it again, then after about 500 meters its sorted itself out again...

Anyone got an idea of what's happening? Pay day is still a while off, so I'm a bit reluctant to take it straight to the shop.

[CookMySock]

Ducati? It's an electrical problem. ;)

Joking aside, anything that makes the tacho imediately drop to zero is an ignition-wiring fault. Sounds like it's on the low-tension side that drives the tacho. Does the tacho run off only one of the cylinders? Low power but still running is usually one cylinder down.


Steve

[3L4NS1R]

Cheers! That was quick...

So faulty ignition wiring would cause a cylinder to cut out?

[CookMySock]

Yes, particularly so if the tacho instantly cuts to zero and comes back when the problem goes away. I would think it exceedingly unlikely such a symptom was brought on by fuel or other non-electrical issue.

If the engine faults again, quickly but safely stop and put the bike on it's stand and leave the engine running, and carefully carefully nudge the wiring loom at different points and see if you can identify where to prod it exactly to make it fault or un-fault. Take care not to pull the wiring loom firmly, as you might dislodge the fault completely only for it to never return and never be diagnosed. Alternatively, you might consider this as a partial solution lol, but you won't feel like you can trust the bike after that - one day it do it again and maybe not un-fault at all.

If you are unable to identify the problem exactly, at least you might form some temporary solution to keep you running, or be able to offer a concise explanation to a workshop technician should it come to that.


Steve

[3L4NS1R]

Cheers! will have a prod at it this arvo next time the boss is out.

[Squiggles]

Check ya battery terminals are tight...

[3L4NS1R]

the low-tension side that drives the tacho.


Is there any tell-tale signs of which cylinder has the tacho attached?

[CookMySock]

Is there any tell-tale signs of which cylinder has the tacho attached?Pretty much I am guessing at that.

Wiring diagram is your friend.

Steve

[3L4NS1R]

Right, so the (hopeful) conclusion was that the connectors were corroded, the spark plugs weren't burning hot enough, and it was too rich. Workshop cleaned the connectors, put in hotter spark plugs, and removed one snorkel. Been riding it for a day, and the problem hasn't cropped up again! Hopefully that's that solved!

[CookMySock]

Betcha it was that corroded connector.

Steve