[Accord]

I just bought a used 1999 Ducati 996, the bike is gorgeous however I am experiencing some serious problems. I test rode it at the dealer and it was perfect, I got it home and 2 days later tried to take it out for a ride and the engine kept turning over until it finally started and then 10 seconds later it stalled, I restarted it and it struggled to start but finally did start then stalled about 10 seconds later. When trying to start it as the engine was turning over, all of the lights on the gauges and whatnot were going very dim.

The engine wouldn't start again and when I released the clutch the bike kept lurching forward just a little bit like it was possessed, despite having the ignition turned OFF and having the key OUT of the ignition as well as hitting the kill switch multiple times the bike still kept lurching forward little by little as if there were explosions going on inside the engine or something and the clutch was still spinning. The engine was definitely off but it seemed like there were minor explosions still going on inside the engine just barely causing the clutch to spin and the bike to keep moving.

The bike is now completely unresponsive when you insert the key and turn it to the on position. Nothing happens. The gauges don't sweep or light up, you don't hear any of the noises that you normally hear when you turn the ignition on or anything. The bike is absolutely 100% unresponsive now.

I would take it back to the dealer, however the dealer is 6 hours away and my schedule is extremely busy and I just don't have the time to take it back there for them to look at it.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks

 

[mrinflux]

The bike is completely unresponsive when you insert the key and turn it to the "on" position. Nothing happens.

Accord,

Start by buying a new battery and a battery tender. I'm not saying this is your only problem, but if the bike isn't even turning over, then a new battery is where you need to start.

Elton

 

[The Outlaw]

I agree with Elton. First start by trying to jump start it. Don;t turn your car on though the battery alone should be enough to start you bike. Or at least get a response from the fuel pump and guages. Another problem that has plagued the bikes is the regulator. Check out California Cycle works for this part. My 748 went bad (As did alot of others) and my bike seemed to have some of the same troubles as yours. As for the starting and stalling and I hope I'm not being an idot by telling you this. But you do know that the bike has a high idol push button on the throtle housing for warming up the bike?

 

[The Outlaw]

Also. If you end up guying a regulator and since yours is a 99. Be careful what one you actually need. Ducati is well known for using previous years parts on the latest model year bikes. I had this trouble with my rectifier as well as my brake and clutch levers.

 

[Accord]

Well it's been a while since I updated this, but I put my bike on a Battery Tender and fully charged it and the electronics come on no problem now, like all the gauges and whatnot. So that's all good to go in that aspect, however the starter motor keeps trying to turn the engine over even after killing the engine and it keeps doing it until the battery is totally drained. When it happens I tap the round circle thing right next to the battery and that immediately stops it, so I assume I need to replace that part, right?

What exactly is that part called, i've heard some people call it a solenoid, others call it a regulator, and some others call it a relay. Which one is it?

Does anyone know what the part number is, or even better yet know of a dealer with one in stock?

Thanks.

 

[alfredob]

I just bought a used 1999 Ducati 996, the bike is gorgeous however I am experiencing some serious problems. I test rode it at the dealer and it was perfect, I got it home and 2 days later tried to take it out for a ride and the engine kept turning over until it finally started and then 10 seconds later it stalled, I restarted it and it struggled to start but finally did start then stalled about 10 seconds later. When trying to start it as the engine was turning over, all of the lights on the gauges and whatnot were going very dim.

The engine wouldn't start again and when I released the clutch the bike kept lurching forward just a little bit like it was possessed, despite having the ignition turned OFF and having the key OUT of the ignition as well as hitting the kill switch multiple times the bike still kept lurching forward little by little as if there were explosions going on inside the engine or something and the clutch was still spinning. The engine was definitely off but it seemed like there were minor explosions still going on inside the engine just barely causing the clutch to spin and the bike to keep moving.

The bike is now completely unresponsive when you insert the key and turn it to the on position. Nothing happens. The gauges don't sweep or light up, you don't hear any of the noises that you normally hear when you turn the ignition on or anything. The bike is absolutely 100% unresponsive now.

I would take it back to the dealer, however the dealer is 6 hours away and my schedule is extremely busy and I just don't have the time to take it back there for them to look at it.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks

Hey Accord; those very simptons happened to me line by line with my Ducati Monster 900 a long time ago; IT WAS THE BATTERY!! When the battery is gone or even just low in juice it will cause exactely what you are telling....the bike seams to go bizurk doing things unexplainable . Be carefull when and if you will install a new battery (if you do it yourself) because if you don't know what you are doing when you connect the wires you risk of burning some diods and it will cost a bunch to find out which was the exact one that burned. Good luck but don't worry: this is really not something major!

 

[Accord]

I'm pretty sure I found out what I need to buy, it's part number 397.4.001.1A and it is described in Ducati's parts list for the 996 as a "remote switch" but it looks like a solenoid. I can't find it on any websites but i'm hoping someone here knows where I could buy one (that might have it in stock and i won't have to wait 3 weeks?).

Here is a picture of it:

 

[alfredob]

Have you tried to call a Duc dealer and give them the part number?