Side stand sensor? I heard about this so many times - not in Ducati though but my friends used to have such symptom.

 

Thanks, worth a look.

 

“Nothing happens” means, even the starter motor doesn’t work?

 

Yep, no noise or clicking - nothing.


Its weird.

 

Connection, or a kill switch, side stand switch? Neutral switch? Do you pull the clutch lever? Intermittent electrical can drive you nuts.

 

Connection, or a kill switch, side stand switch? Neutral switch?

These things. In particular, the connections to the starter solenoid and to the starter.

 

When something like this happens my first port of call is the battery terminals.

 

Do you have aftermarket levers on it?

 

@AndyFaeLarky it happens to mine too the same as you have described. only every now and again and its done it for years, Im used to it now and don't panic anymore as it has always started. I just switch it off and start again. The most dead connects (For lack of a technical term lets call it that) I have had is 2 in a row. It used to make me think I had a dead battery, I still think its low current connected but more from the contact of the connections in the switch rather than the battery.

 

Interesting that you also have this, sometimes...

Any other specific environmental conditions that you might have noticed a pattern when it happens, or is it not related to environmental conditions?

 

I have an Oxford battery Omtimiser so the battery is always topped up, I have after market exhaust / bypass switch and levers but it did it before they were fitted.


It just a pain in the arse, when the bike was service last year there were no error codes in the ECU either.


Andy

 

Unlikely to be the starter or it's connections because you would still hear the solenoid click. If the solenoid isn't clicking it is either faulty or it isn't getting a ground signal from the ECU.

The ECU sends a ground to energise the solenoid if the following conditions are met:
The starter button is pressed - is the button contact faulty or intermittent?
The gearbox is in neutral - does the dash say N and is the neutral light light? If not the gear selector could be faulty.Try pulling the clutch lever in.
The gearbox is not in neutral but the clutch lever is pulled in.

The ECU will not energise the solenoid if:
The side stand is down and the gearbox is not in neutral.
The gearbox is not in neutral and the clutch lever is released.

So a faulty side stand switch will still allow a start so long as the bike is in neutral but the engine will cut out as soon as a gear is engaged.

 

Agree Derek, That's why I would determine whether this is related to the clutch lever being engaged or not. Then the neutral switch. Just a way to trace the problem and eliminate one possible reason.

 

Clutch lever never involved?

 

I have had the exact same issue with the starter switch. hit it and nothing. No sound, contact, nothing. Then hit it again and it starts fine. The 1st time that happened, I dismissed it, thinking I just didn't press the switch far enough. Then it happened again several times, creating that sick feeling of getting stranded somewhere. No low temperature, or rain issues that would possibly create this issue. Next service I had I mentioned this to dealer (MotoUnion in Milwaukee - Good dudes!) and they checked the starter switch and confirmed it was defective and it should be replaced. Being just out of warranty I expected the worst, but the new switch is $107 pluse labor, which would no doubt that much also in labor. It sounds as tho this is not an isolated / unheard of issue and is also common on the Multistrada as well. If your SS is still under warranty, get it checked/replaced if this is acting up!

 

Thanks for reporting this. Sounds like the work is not done yet. Please continue to keep us updated with the final cost, and of course, if it fixed the problem.

 

So, update.


Went out to start the bike yesterday.
Tried 5 or 6 times to start.


Normal (Side Stand down & Side Stand light on dash) = nothing

Clutch pulled in = nothing
Side Stand up = nothing
Side Stand up - clutch in = nothing
Side Stand up - in gear - clutch pulled in = nothing


I did get it started but just by constantly trying.


Could it be the switch itself or what about any immobiliser? It defo hasnt got any after market security added.



Andy

 

Sounds most likely to be the switch to me, although there is a possibility that the immobiliser antenna isn't reading the key. If the antenna isn't making an electrical connection it would throw up an error on the dash but on some other models it has been known for the antenna coil to slip down from it's normal position in the ignition lock surround making it too far from the key to connect with the transponder.

 

@Gempeler Btw, when referring to “starter switch” does that mean the switch on the handlebars?

 

@AndyFaeLarky Thanks for continuing to keep updated as this progresses.

 

I have no idea why there are 2 switches listed, both for 2017 models and the more expensive one has also been superseded. Lucky it isn't a LH switch you need. Did you see the price?

EDIT: I checked the parts list again. The more expensive one is for the Japanese (JAP) and Canadian? (CDN) markets.
You got the right switch.

 

Thanks for checking as well, was a bit worried there....

 

Cost about what was quoted above...about £70?

 

Cost was £73.12 including VAT and delivery.


5 to 7 days delivery, take that with a pinch of salt because of the current climate.

 

Yes, I meant the switch on the handle bars. Sorry for not being more specific and somewhat tardy with this response. (crazy times with the Corona thing going on) I have not had the switch replaced yet since we are just finally melting the snow here, and that diagnosis was just done in late October at my end of season service. I plan on having that switch replaced as soon as I get the bike out of moth balls and it warms up enough to ride to Milwaukee. I will keep you all posted if that takes care of this intermittent problem.
Stay healthy everyone!
Gemp

 

Update

Hi,


Wonder if anyone has an issue starting the bike?


What happens is, when I use the starting switch nothing happens a few times then maybe after a number of attempts it will fire the starter motor and the engine will start no problem. It has done this for a while and I did mention it to Ducati Glasgow - who said they checked and all was fine, it is a bit random. I wonder if its just the switch on the handlebar or somthing a bit more sinister deep within the mechanics.



Oh and it doesn't matter if its hot or cold...



Any help or advice is welcome.


Andy

The new switch arrived today (quite quick considering all the Covid-19 stuff). Have now fitted it and it’s not too bad a job, had to remove the screen and un bolt the instrument cluster so I could move it because the wiring is underneath it... Biggest issue was the plastic cowl under the screen, had to err man handle it out the way - it a pain in the ass.

So after all that - Success, starts on the button every time. Gonna go for a ride to test properly - got its first MOT and need fuel so a couple of re-starts at least.

My advice, as soon as the switch fails to turn the engine once and still under warranty - Get Ducati to replace as mine was doing this since I got it and Ducati tested and said it was fine - it clearly wasn’t and just gets worse.


Thanks for all the advice and support.


Andy

 

Update




The new switch arrived today (quite quick considering all the Covid-19 stuff). Have now fitted it and it’s not too bad a job, had to remove the screen and un bolt the instrument cluster so I could move it because the wiring is underneath it... Biggest issue was the plastic cowl under the screen, had to err man handle it out the way - it a pain in the ass.

So after all that - Success, starts on the button every time. Gonna go for a ride to test properly - got its first MOT and need fuel so a couple of re-starts at least.

My advice, as soon as the switch fails to turn the engine once and still under warranty - Get Ducati to replace as mine was doing this since I got it and Ducati tested and said it was fine - it clearly wasn’t and just gets worse.


Thanks for all the advice and support.


Andy

Hi Andy, don't suppose you've got a step-by-step guide on how you did this, I know how to unbolt the screen and that's as far as I can get. 2017 Supersport. Thanks

 

@AndyFaeLarky Nice work! Thanks for posting!

Will you be disassembling the failed switch to see if anything looks worn/corroded or otherwise damaged?

 

Yep, I will be having a wee look..

 

Give contacts a good clean up and you'll have a handy spare

 

By the time I had taken it apart - it was only good for the bin...

 

Andy,
Great to learn that was the issue! I would have felt really bad if didn't solve your problem after the expense and pain putting it in. Also, you offer good advise to anyone ever having experiencing this while under warranty! My "do nothing button" definitely increased in frequency over the month or 2 at the end of last season I dealt with it from the 1st time. From what Moto Union told me (Milwaukee dealer - good dudes) is that this is a known issue and it should be replaced. Catch it early if you experience that sick feeling of the do nothing starter switch!

 

Quick update on the switch I experienced getting the bike out of storage for the 1st time: the do nothing Switch issue was no longer intermittent, it was the norm. I couldn't get it to make contact at all with about a dozen tries. So I turned the key off, and flipped the switch back and forth from kill to start position many many times in hope to clean the contacts in the switch. (after seeing the construction of the switch that Andy dissected and uploaded for us to see. - Thanks Andy!) Rather desperate attempt at a fix, I know, but I was in need of a 1st spring ride bad. I turned the key and got a short contact, but not long enough to start. I then pulled it down into the start position again, but this time really pushed the switch inward toward the dash and I got a start! This inward pressure on the switch seems to help make the contact. Something that might be helpful for those yet to suffer this. My switch gets replace in a couple weeks, so I will be dealing with this for a while and will update anything else I find between now and then.

 

lately i also having this intermittent problem on starting up.I am not sure if it was also caused by a defective switch. Battery is brand new btw and it has this clicking sound when flipping the switch, thats why I thought it was a battery problem. I opened up the switch casing and spray some contact cleaner. Then it start up like nothing happens. Then the next day problem came back, then i try to pull the switch to the side just to try to make contact if that was the problem, and sometimes it works. attaching a link of the video.

 

Check your Battery Voltage in the menu if its reading 12.4 or under then your Battery does not have enough Crank amps to turn. I have just replaced my battery for a new one just last night as i had the same problem even after leaving it on the battery tender. next time it happens check the menu and then you can at least discount the battery.