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Okay so time for the annual UK MOT and the little blighter won't start

Before I strip all the panels off these are the symptoms


Engine initially was dead on the start button switch, and then she fired up but for just a few brief seconds and stopped.

Then she would turn over happily on the starter button but would not fire up

Fuel pressure and pump is fine. battery is perfect.

Earth leads appear fine...


Any ideas would help scratching my head on this done the search list and sort of cancelled the obvious .... I reckon it's a wire or circuit issue but where to start?.

sorry for the stupid question but you didn`t by accident move the kill switch w/o noticing? Are the main fuses and the ones on the two relays ok?

Assuming the kill switch isn't off, is the fuel pump running at switch on?
If the pump is running there is also power to the coils and the injectors. It will stop after a few seconds but should switch in again while the engine is turning. If not suspect the crank sensor or the cam sensor.

Yep all those silly possibilities have been sussed out, I thought it might of been the actual push button so replaced it without success. I also checked the kill switch toggle for corrosion with out any visible issues. Fuel pump is working fine. I think I must have a corroded electric plug/connection somewhere as my last serious ride involved some seriously cold and wet snow conditions with the salted roads wrecking my lovely polished rims. Just love our British road gritters.

just cuz you hear the pump does not mean fuel is flowing

just cuz you hear the pump does not mean fuel is flowing

Yep but it does when it shoots out the end of the return hose when it's disconnected. I recently replaced all the hoses this winter so know there is no issue there. Plugs are sparking fine when I can get the motor to spin over with them out.

Finally found the culprit a loose connection here with the plug in point has meant that as soon as I started the plug moved and killed the engine. Happy days as soon as I work out a best solution to replace or crush tighter the connection point.

The solenoid plug falling out is a well known weak point on Ducatis. Later models use an in-line plug/socket that lock together. I'd clean up those solenoid terminals while you're in there.

Derek wrote:The solenoid plug falling out is a well known weak point on Ducatis. Later models use an in-line plug/socket that lock together. I'd clean up those solenoid terminals while you're in there.

Yes, i was a bit surprised not to see the zip tie "modification" holding it on... one day i should fit it properly.

I have a zip tie on both my ST and the 907 around this bugger.

Cheers, Phil

zip as well, cheap, reliable and no more worry.

Actually mine was zip tied on but taken off to show it a bit more clearly. The internal pins had become opened up so even though tight pressed on. the contact was lost and the engine died. that was the most annoying feature one minute fine and then dead. then the starter was dead, then all well. I thought it was a fuse or an earth and changed a few bits. ended up a case of elimination and as we all know poking around a Paso means removing all the bloody panels again and again and agai..........


What is it they say about Ducati making mechanics.......

Yeah , I tell ya what, them Paso's are NOT an easy bike the crash start , should have looked under the seat BEFORE I pushed it up and down Queen st , and it was the old story too , every bugger you know seems to magically materialise to witness the show