Engine dies when riding....

speedy14 said:

Like I said earlier. Lots, of electrical issues. Maybe they could hire away some Japanese engineers to learn how to make reliable trouble free bikes like my old 2011 ZX10R.
I am starting to really miss the ZX10. I absolutely caned it just about every time I rode it (last four years on the track exclusively) and never had a single issue with it.. However it was just not a ‎Ducati. The ‎Ducati has been a dream for a long time and I just got disillusioned. I apologize for being a whiner. I am hoping I don't end up with a $30k+ investment in an exotic turd!

Speedy

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Speedy, I think I've followed most of your posts on the problems you're having; which I assume are real and acknowledged by your dealer. Unfortunately, I can't offer any advice about the cause or solution, but the one thing that puzzles me is your loyalty to your dealer. Fixing an engine that's running poorly is not rocket science. In fact, the only 2 things required are effort and competence. You seem happy with their effort . . .

My '15 R has had electrical issues since purchase. None stay logged in ECU for later diagnostics. Have already had a new complete wiring loom with no success. Up to now they have had it more than a month in total since delivery at easter.

Its going back to my dealer yet again today while I go on holiday for a week. Plan is for both new ECU and also new clocks. Dealer have been fantastic and very accommodating. Support for them from Ducati, much less so.

We are only maybe 6-8 weeks away from end of season and then the bike wont turn a wheel until spring. Frankly if they cant fix this by end of sept, then I will be chasing a replacement bike or a refund as I dont feel I should have to carry on with this in the second year of ownership when the sun comes out again. Hopefully this week will be the fix we are looking for as the bike itself is beyond fantastic when not acting up.

Understand your disgruntlement Speedy14. I'm a Ducati diehard, but pretty sick of the whole thing now.

Sorry to hear you guys have had trouble from the outset, find the right dealer and tech...it will get resolved I'm sure.

I've got a 2005 multi with 87000kms on it that I've done since new in 06. Has only been back to the dealer once in that time...it just keeps on trucking!

I dropped my bike of today to a dealer 200kms away from me, I have two closer but I know this guy will sort it. When I dropped it off he said he'd already spoke to warranty/technical guy at Ducati AU and they have a plan of attack worked out...I only made contact with him for the first time yesterday. What gives me confidence is that fact they have a plan of attack and I know I won't get it back until that plan is worked through until it's resolved, and this is knowing they have to ride my bike for over 70kms to verify it's fixed!!

chin up guys, they're a good rig. Remember the forums you only here the bad stories...never see a thread that says "nothing to report"!!

cheers,

Prince Albert said:

i'm sorry to hear about this JHT, i wonder if it is a blown ABS sensor or fuse?

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I'll do a tear down this weekend and see what I can find. This could be a real pisser if I can't trust her to run right.

No issues up until some of the best riding days in Colorado. Rats!

Lightning said:

Speedy, I think I've followed most of your posts on the problems you're having; which I assume are real and acknowledged by your dealer. Unfortunately, I can't offer any advice about the cause or solution, but the one thing that puzzles me is your loyalty to your dealer. Fixing an engine that's running poorly is not rocket science. In fact, the only 2 things required are effort and competence. You seem happy with their effort . . .

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The mechanic is trained through Ducati and is one of few around trained to work on the Desmosedici etc. His hands are tied until he get the OK from Ducati Rep to just start replacing things. Since there are no codes thrown when put on an analyzer Ducati will not approve them to just start replacing throttle assemblies or the ECU or wiring etc.. So all they can do is try to reset the injections updates or throttle body settings..etc.


Thanks for your input.
I was told yesterday that Ducati is flying down a factory representative. (Finally) After the Ducati guy shows up next Friday and rides the bike he can give them the OK to do whatever they need to do to make it right.. Then it will just be a matter of replacing crap until they find out what was broke and it is fixed..

It has been VERY aggravating and so far I am the only one to report the throttle sticking when cornering.. The Ducati Austin mechanic has ridden the bike many times and it happens to him every time also so it is not just me.

The reason I state the dealer is trying is because they have also been through a lot of effort and they don't just blow me off like a typical dealer would.. That impressed me.. Unlike the typical Japanese or even Harley motorcycle dealer I am welcomed back in the shop to watch and ask questions. They run a first class shop and that impresses me.
That is one thing that really impressed me about The Ducati Austin dealer here. They sell an exclusive brand and they treat their customers well..
It is not their fault this particular bike is a turd but they are really trying to make me happy..


Eventually they will get it fixed or I will be forced to get in a lawsuit with the Ducati factory and either get all my money back or a new bike. I seriously doubt it will come to that (but it is possible). The way the bike is now, it is not really very safe to ride.. (at least not for someone that does not know what to expect.. ) The stalling once in a while (which happens to many owners evidently) is mostly just irritating and embarrassing but the throttle sticking is flat out dangerous!

Speedy

Well, I'm scheduled to get to the shop on Wednesday. Will take a peek at the fuses in the morning to see if any are blown.

Does anyone here know if the tool used to scan the ECU can be bought that works with our Panigale's?

I am looking into this one: Socio - TechnoResearch

Ducati.ms - The Ultimate Ducati Forum

http://ducati1299.com/mechanical-technical/1289-service-indicator-2.html

I use a Ross Tech VAG Com cable for my Audi and it helps quite often. I am thinking I should find one which could potentially save me some pain down the road.

Talked to the tech yesterday. He stated he has only seen one other 1199 with an ABS failure and it is likely a blown fuse. I looked at the fuses and didn't see any that were blown, but didn't pull the schematic out either.

Seems a bit of a stretch that the ABS fuse would blow, but stranger things have happened I guess. While at the shop I ordered a set of RS10 Bridgestone tires. The Q3's have been good, but when wet and when hard on the gas in corners, the DTC light was lit up like a dragstrip!

The bike will likely be out of my hands for a while. I am gonna see if that software can be purchased from TechnoResearch, they have yet to respond.

JHTmcrider said:

Talked to the tech yesterday. He stated he has only seen one other 1199 with an ABS failure and it is likely a blown fuse. I looked at the fuses and didn't see any that were blown, but didn't pull the schematic out either.

Seems a bit of a stretch that the ABS fuse would blow, but stranger things have happened I guess. While at the shop I ordered a set of RS10 Bridgestone tires. The Q3's have been good, but when wet and when hard on the gas in corners, the DTC light was lit up like a dragstrip!

The bike will likely be out of my hands for a while. I am gonna see if that software can be purchased from TechnoResearch, they have yet to respond.

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I have found that generally when a fuse pops that is because the circuit was overloaded for some reason (due to a bad contact or short etc.) **
Just replacing a fuse usually will not be a permanent fix. It will work for a while until the original cause malfunctions again and then you are back to square one..
Find out what the source was that caused the fuse to pop if you can....
I once had an ABS light go off on my ZX 10 and found out it was the sensor ring that had gotten bent the last time I had changed the rear tire..
There are too many damn warning lights etc. on these new bikes.. There are lots of sensors and circuits on these new bikes and plenty of places they can go bad. I think the new technology is awesome (when it works correctly) but it will be a real ..... to fix this stuff ten years from now..(When it is out of warranty) and of course the dealer will charge an arm and a leg just to diagnose the problems..

That is one thing that is good about the older bikes. A guy with some mechanical aptitude and a shop manual can work on them himself..

Speedy

Just got word back about mine, looks like it's the engine ecu....new one is on order and should be here next week some time.

Good to hear! I am suspecting my ECU or ABS controller is fried by the way the bike acted/ behaved when it died.

Also interesting to note the Battery Tender would not show a "green" light while it was plugged in. It would only flash the red light. That showed me that something was certainly not right with the electrical circuit, meaning fuse, but we shall see.

I have got to get a diagnostic port scanner for this bike. I still haven't heard back from Techno Research. I'll ping them again.

The ability to read codes and clear codes will pay for itself as this bike gets older.

JHTmcrider said:

Good to hear! I am suspecting my ECU or ABS controller is fried by the way the bike acted/ behaved when it died.

Also interesting to note the Battery Tender would not show a "green" light while it was plugged in. It would only flash the red light. That showed me that something was certainly not right with the electrical circuit, meaning fuse, but we shall see.

I have got to get a diagnostic port scanner for this bike. I still haven't heard back from Techno Research. I'll ping them again.

The ability to read codes and clear codes will pay for itself as this bike gets older.

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Amen to that Let me know how it works out.. I will probably want to get on also..

JHTmcrider said:

Also interesting to note the Battery Tender would not show a "green" light while it was plugged in. It would only flash the red light. That showed me that something was certainly not right with the electrical circuit, meaning fuse, but we shall see.

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Have you checked the battery voltage with a multimeter and under load, or even pulled the battery from the bike and tried with the same battery charger to see if the battery is ok? One of the first things they said to me is that the bikes are quite fussy with voltage and the common earth point connection below the battery box. Can make the bike do strange things....apparently

Prince Albert said:

i'm sorry to hear about this JHT, i wonder if it is a blown ABS sensor or fuse?

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Well you won the contest!

Stopped into the dealership today. Looks like several fuses were blown. Not sure where this will lead, but I guess I will identify which ones blow and their ratings and will carry some forceps and spare ones in the tail from now on.

What a strange story. I'll get more details in the next few days. But looks like 2 Ducati Techs from corporate were involved.

I think the issue is what caused the fuses to blow.

Yup, wonder if the issue will be revealed when I pick her up this week.

Can't imagine that the circuits just got overloaded for no reason.

JHTmcrider said:

Well you won the contest!



Stopped into the dealership today. Looks like several fuses were blown. Not sure where this will lead, but I guess I will identify which ones blow and their ratings and will carry some forceps and spare ones in the tail from now on.



What a strange story. I'll get more details in the next few days. But looks like 2 Ducati Techs from corporate were involved.

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I guess I'm not just a "pretty" face after all[emoji8]

Got email conformation today, bike is good to go, pick it up Saturday with a new engine ECU

Well here is the latest update.. In an attempt to get the bike to not have the throttle stick open when de-accelerating (and then suddenly dropping rpm all of a sudden) I just got a brand new ECU installed in my bike bry the dealer and it STILL has the same problem the throttle is still sticking in first gear at about 3000 rpm when de accelerating.* I have to pull the clutch in or else deal with it staying open at 3000 rpm or so for about 1 to 2 seconds then suddenly dropping rpm... Very unsettling in a corner.......

I guess the next thing will be for them to replace the throttle bodies then the throttle assembly then the wiring harness etc maybe even the whole damn motor etc. until they can find the problem.
This has gotten to the point that the whole thing is absolutely ridiculous..
This bike is a piece of expensive crap.. It will probably be my last purchase from Ducati..I now have more invested in it than I do in my truck.

Without a doubt this is the absolute worst experience I have ever had on a purchase of a new vehicle.

NO one can fix it.. the dealer has tried at least ten times.. it has been in the shop more than it has been ridden. The Ducati rep rode it and aadmitted that it was a dangerous issue then refused to do anything about it because the Ducati dealership's mechanic told him that they had tried to re program the ECU with a Rexxer unit to solve the problem..
Well after hearing that the factory rep told the dealer that it had VOIDED my factory warranty.. Therefore the dealer had to purchase a brand new ECU from Ducati (at a cost of $1500 ) to restore my warranty... Even after that it is still the same old crap...

I am about to look into suing the Ducati factory if they don't get this right or give me anther bike.

I have had a lot of patience because I really wanted the bike It was my dream bike but it has turned into a nightmare..

Speedy

I'm glad to say your experience hasn't been everyone's, but what options have you explored in the Lemon Law area? Ten times for the same problem...I think that would qualify.

A lot of dealers, motorcycle, car etc just shotgun parts. The ECU is a solid state electronic part. The failure rate isn't that high compared to mechanical electrical components. They hear hoof beats and immediately think its a Zebra. More than likely its just a horse or some ........ donkey. Start simple.

If I was a dealer, I wouldn't be re-flashing to fix I'd be swapping from my demo bike starting at the most simple working my way up.

Does this only occur in first gear? That's rather significant in the trouble shooting area...

bp7178 said:

I'm glad to say your experience hasn't been everyone's, but what options have you explored in the Lemon Law area? Ten times for the same problem...I think that would qualify.

A lot of dealers, motorcycle, car etc just shotgun parts. The ECU is a solid state electronic part. The failure rate isn't that high compared to mechanical electrical components. They hear hoof beats and immediately think its a Zebra. More than likely its just a horse or some ........ donkey. Start simple.

If I was a dealer, I wouldn't be re-flashing to fix I'd be swapping from my demo bike starting at the most simple working my way up.

Does this only occur in first gear? That's rather significant in the trouble shooting area...

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Yes only in first gear while de accelerating That is what is so weird..? But it happens EVERY time without fail...

I had already suggested to them about swapping the ECU and the told me that swapping an ECU from another bike loads the mileage etc from other bike on to the ECU At least that is what the dealer told me Each ECU is registered to that bike * Even the "up mapp" is registered to one bikes ECU and once you load it it cannot be used in another bike unless they get a special code directly from Ducati..(The dealer only can load it) The Ducati Factory has you by the balls You cannot do hardly anything without going through them.. They make it hard to use other manufacturers exhaust etc...
When you buy a Ducati evidently you are REALLY exclusive..( Exclusive in the fact that no other manufacturer make you go through so much expensive cost and BS as Ducati will)

Speedy