Now what have I done? It won't engage starter...

[seanery]

The last time I rode my bike I burped the coolant system then hosed down the engine to get off any coolant that dripped on it. In the process I blew one of the 15 amp fuses that work the horn and idiot lights, etc...Today I decided that I'd wash the bike then wax it and go out for a ride. The bike looks great, but won't start. I was very careful to not get more than a quick splash anywhere but where the bodywork goes (I did this with the body off since I was waxing). I just put it all together and jumped on it and no start! WTF?! I checked all the fuses, I can hear the fuel pump come on, I checked the kill switch and I can hear it energize the fuel pump, so I know at least that there's power getting up to the controls - unless that switch just breaks the common, but I'd be surprised if it did.

Does anyone have any great places to look? I'm really bummed right now, the bike looks great and it's a beautiful day!!!! And I'd love to go get those Pilot Road IIIs put on!

Thanks in advance!
=)

I can't locate the starter relay, any help with that?

[higgy]

relay is on the right hand side of the frame
water should not be an issue unless you have poor connections to begin with,very likelyon a nearly 20 year old bike, you have a little work ahead of you to find the cause,which connection? could be anywhere and everywhere,get to it Ducatista

[seanery]

Thanks Higgy! Once I found the starter relay I shorted across it and the bike started fine, so I started disconnecting the relay water ran out of one of the boots, and one side was quite funky. I read in a thread about putting a small hole in the bottom of the boot so I did that to both sides, I also sprayed it with some silicone spray. I cleaned up the connectors put it all together and wha lah!!! it worked!!

What's the consensus? Should I go ahead and replace the relay? Or should it be good to go for a while?

thanks again!

[higgy]

Hard to say,could work for a long time could quit tomorrow,depends on the corrosion level

[seanery]

looked like mostly the power terminals, but I didn't open it up either. =)

off for a short ride to test it all out!

=)

[du907]

Sorry but I couldn't help it.
As soon as you started your story I knew what it was. Higgy had it right. The relay (Hitachi?) on the right side. When you wash the bike particularly with the fairings off you will get water in those little rubber boots that cover the bolt/nut connectors on the cables to the relay, then to the starter, etc. What you do is take a pair of wire snips, and make a small hole on the bottom side of these rubber boots so that the water drains out and cannot stay in them. The water is acting as a connector and grounding out the connections.
Check this site by using the search feature and you should find a thread or two about some of the common problems/qirks that these bikes have and you can fix them ahead of time. Plus it will give you something to mess with on the weekends.
I would also check http://motolectric.com/makes/ducati.html about upgrading the wires. I've heard the kit makes a big difference. I plan on doing my bike as soon as I get it back together.
Bryon

[seanery]

Those look pretty nice. I've been looking for another starter relay. Is there a reason I can't use one from the Sport Classic? I figure I can make a short jumper cable to go from the original 907 switch to the new Sport Classic relay so an original or another newer solenoid could go in.

Thoughts, ideas, experience?

thanks!

[persempre907]

I had the same issue 3 years ago, at least.
After a good cleaning work, I removed rust, corrosion etc.. So, no problem since.
I would not see the reason to replace the relay.
Ciao

[ducbertus]

you don't need to replace the relay.
cleaning the connectors and spraying them will do the job for several yaers.
I ran into the same trouble, discovering the whole boot was filled with water.
by re-arranging the relay, I was able to change the position of booth, which can hold water any more.
upgrading the starter wires is adviseble. A battery in good condition also.
mine is now 5 years old and is dying.
All you need to know is writen in thread all over the forum.

Bertus