Ducati Monster starter issues

**manwithav8** · 25th September 2007, 19:16

Turn the key on and hit the starter button. Very slow cranking and the bike won't start. Now here is the interesting part.

I let go of the starter button and it carry's on trying to crank so I quickly turn the key off and pull it out of the ignition. Well bugger me, she is still cranking. Quickly lift the seat and remove the negative batt cable.

I checked the battery and it still has 11.9v.

The cable to the starter is rusted but still connected.

I ran the bike for a little while on Sunday and there were no problems starting then.

So can someone please please help.

I get my full this saturday which also happens to be my birthday so really looking foward to the first ride on the bike and the shit has now hit the fan. All I done today was bolt the number plate on...

So, does this sound like and easy fix.....????????????

**JimO** · 25th September 2007, 19:27

Originally Posted by manwithav8

Turn the key on and hit the starter button. Very slow cranking and the bike won't start. Now here is the interesting part.

I let go of the starter button and it carry's on trying to crank so I quickly turn the key off and pull it out of the ignition. Well bugger me, she is still cranking. Quickly lift the seat and remove the negative batt cable.

I checked the battery and it still has 11.9v.

The cable to the starter is rusted but still connected.

I ran the bike for a little while on Sunday and there were no problems starting then.

So can someone please please help.

I get my full this saturday which also happens to be my birthday so really looking foward to the first ride on the bike and the shit has now hit the fan. All I done today was bolt the number plate on...

So, does this sound like and easy fix.....????????????

sounds like its posessed to me....but i did see a similar thing with a boat that had been flooded its motor tried starting on its own and the only way to stop it was pull the battery cable off....you havnt washed it or left it out in the rain lately??

**manwithav8** · 25th September 2007, 19:29

I have hed it for close to 3 months now, getting ready for first ride in a few days, new rego plate bolted on so it is all legal, just went to fire it up to make sure the plate was going to rattle and this happens.... Why me oh why....

**98tls** · 25th September 2007, 19:32

Jesus that would give you a fright eh......if mine i would just take it to an auto electrician and get them to check it out.....peace of mind at least.

**manwithav8** · 25th September 2007, 19:36

Originally Posted by 98tls

Jesus that would give you a fright eh......if mine i would just take it to an auto electrician and get them to check it out.....peace of mind at least.

Could do that but I can't get it to a shop before the weekend and no doubt will be very costly... I am a mechanic by trade but not a bike mechainc.. Some answers should point me in the right direction.

But yes, I got a good fright, especially trying to unbolt the batt terminal while it is trying to welt itself to my spanner lol

**miSTa** · 25th September 2007, 19:43

I read about that issue over on www.ducati.ms unfortunately it's down until Tuesday (US time) but IIRC it could have something to do with the starter solenoid (though it's technically not). Sorry I can't be more helpful.

**manwithav8** · 25th September 2007, 19:45

I am reading the duc monster forums at the moment and it looks like it could be that. I am hoping the solenoid has just stuck. Will head out soon and check it over with the trusty tappy hammer to see if it free's up

**JimO** · 25th September 2007, 19:47

try hitting it with a hammer

**98tls** · 25th September 2007, 19:48

Sure is an interesting problem.....been racking my brain but not good enough with electrics to suss it out,i can fathom a starter button box problem but to then take the key out and it still cranks is pretty amazing,good luck and post up what the problem was when you sort it eh.A good spray with CRC in starter button box....

**Bonez** · 25th September 2007, 20:26

Originally Posted by manwithav8

I am reading the duc monster forums at the moment and it looks like it could be that. I am hoping the solenoid has just stuck. Will head out soon and check it over with the trusty tappy hammer to see if it free's up

Certainly sounds like a stuck solanoid.

**manwithav8** · 25th September 2007, 20:29

Touched neagative batt lead on the battery, no spark so hooked it all back up. Hit the start button and she fired into life without hesitation. Shut down and tried several times and no problem.

I have been reading the duc monster forums and this seems to be a common fault with Ducati's. If battery voltage is slightly low, the solenoid is capable of sticking in the operating position thus continuing to turn the bike over regardles of ignition on or off.

Apparetnly riders have been on a ride and shut the bike down only to hear the starter still spining because of this. While is won't cause damage to the engine due to the overrun clutch, the starter will definately fry itself... This might be a mod that needs to be done.

Also, the terminal on the starter is covered by a boot that sits upside down. Yes I did say upside down, all it does is catch water and the nut and post rust out.

Needless to say, some starter motor loven is needed in the very near future...

Quite an eventful evening.

**98tls** · 25th September 2007, 20:36

Glad you sorted it,love an interesting problem......specially when its on someone elses bike and its not me that has to go out to a freezin garage to sort it......

good on ya

**miSTa** · 25th September 2007, 20:58

Glad you got to the bottom of it.

**manwithav8** · 26th September 2007, 09:31

My first reaction was to over react before looking at what it might be. I will change the solenoid over and maybe mod it so if it fails it will not keep cranking. I don't like the idea of riding around with the starter still doing it's thing then having to fork out for a new one when it fries itself.

thanks for any help that was given...