1994 Ducati m900

azoomm · 03-04-2011, 09:49 AM

Ugh. Electrical. I hate electrical.

This bike has been sitting. Like, for YEARS sitting while it gets redone. It's been one ridiculous thing after another. I'm a little over it.

Then, I rode it last weekend. Charged up the relatively new battery and went for a ride. Damn but I love this bike. It's angry, it's strange, it's LOUD... damn but I love this bike.

But, it has a problem, and I'm hoping y'all have another idea of what is wrong rather than what I suspect is wrong.

Symptom: Battery light stays on the entire ride. If I don't put the Battery Tender on the bike overnight the battery was dead the next morning.

My solution: Get a new battery.

Charged it. Went for a long ride. Battery light still stayed on the entire ride. Put the bike on the Tender after the ride [now a habit, as I don't know when I'm going to get back on it again] - light on Tender is red... takes a while [hours] to go to green.

Problem not fixed.

VERY simple bike on an electrical scale. No turn signals, no fancy schmancy computer, just a simple harness with 1993 Ducati technology.

Ideas?

dubbs · 03-04-2011, 09:51 AM

Seems like the generator/alternator is bad. My batt light stayed on, on my car when my crank pulley flew off and the belt that was supposed to run my alternator wasn't there anymore..

Easy way to check would be get a volt meter on the battery and start the bike.. give it some revs and see if the volts jump up within spec.

Dave · 03-04-2011, 09:54 AM

Dying stator. Blade has the same thing going on. Always an adventure when I take her to work

Trip · 03-04-2011, 09:54 AM

charging system or a short in the wiring

derf · 03-04-2011, 09:55 AM

Return it and get something not ducati?

Are there any broken wires? Positive wires that are being grounded? Something is sucking power somewhere

azoomm · 03-04-2011, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derf

Return it and get something not ducati?

Are there any broken wires? Positive wires that are being grounded? Something is sucking power somewhere

I already have others. This is my red-headed step-child. She's the one I love to hate. We've tried selling, and no offer is ever good enough for my husband so I won't sell it.

I've traced, wiring is clean. Unfortunately.

I first thought rectifier, this model requires more than just a parts swap with that, so I was hoping someone had more ideas.

Boo.

Dave · 03-04-2011, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azoomm

I already have others. This is my red-headed step-child. She's the one I love to hate. We've tried selling, and no offer is ever good enough for my husband so I won't sell it.

I've traced, wiring is clean. Unfortunately.

I first thought rectifier, this model requires more than just a parts swap with that, so I was hoping someone had more ideas.

Boo.

Have you pulled all the grounds and given them a once over with a dremel/wire brush? Can have some miraculous effects at times

shmike · 03-04-2011, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azoomm

I first thought rectifier, this model requires more than just a parts swap with that, so I was hoping someone had more ideas.

That was my first thought too.

If the wiring is good, then look at RR or stator. 99% chance it is one of the two.

Avatard · 03-04-2011, 01:44 PM

My first thought was rectifier too, I'd replace that first.

Rangerscott · 03-04-2011, 02:37 PM

As said before with cars. If the alt isnt putting out enough juicet then the alt light will stay on. I think itll also come on if its overcharging.

I wouldnt think its the rec since its connected after the stator.

03-04-2011, 09:49 AM	#1
azoomm moderator chick Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hill Country TX Moto: Pasta Rockets Posts: 8,917	1994 Ducati m900 Ugh. Electrical. I hate electrical. This bike has been sitting. Like, for YEARS sitting while it gets redone. It's been one ridiculous thing after another. I'm a little over it. Then, I rode it last weekend. Charged up the relatively new battery and went for a ride. Damn but I love this bike. It's angry, it's strange, it's LOUD... damn but I love this bike. But, it has a problem, and I'm hoping y'all have another idea of what is wrong rather than what I suspect is wrong. Symptom: Battery light stays on the entire ride. If I don't put the Battery Tender on the bike overnight the battery was dead the next morning. My solution: Get a new battery. Charged it. Went for a long ride. Battery light still stayed on the entire ride. Put the bike on the Tender after the ride [now a habit, as I don't know when I'm going to get back on it again] - light on Tender is red... takes a while [hours] to go to green. Problem not fixed. VERY simple bike on an electrical scale. No turn signals, no fancy schmancy computer, just a simple harness with 1993 Ducati technology. Ideas? __________________ We have enough youth. How about a fountain of "smart"? Come Play at the Track!! http://www.elitetrackdays.com

03-04-2011, 09:51 AM	#2
dubbs Multistrada Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Manorville, NY Posts: 652	Seems like the generator/alternator is bad. My batt light stayed on, on my car when my crank pulley flew off and the belt that was supposed to run my alternator wasn't there anymore.. Easy way to check would be get a volt meter on the battery and start the bike.. give it some revs and see if the volts jump up within spec. __________________ Sportbike - 2013 Ducati Multistrada S Touring - Red Luxury Car - 2013 Cadillac ATS 2.0 Turbo - Black Weekend Car - 2003 Honda S2000 - Black Daily Driver - 2011 Toyota Prius - Black Beater - 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid - Dust Colored

03-04-2011, 09:55 AM	#5
derf token jewboy Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: CBR 900, KLR ugly ass duckling, Gas Man Posts: 10,799	Return it and get something not ducati? Are there any broken wires? Positive wires that are being grounded? Something is sucking power somewhere __________________

03-04-2011, 01:44 PM	#9
Avatard Crotch Rocket Curmudgeon Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Here to integrity Moto: Li'l red baby Ninja Posts: 7,482	My first thought was rectifier too, I'd replace that first. __________________ Insert free thought here.

03-04-2011, 09:54 AM	#3
Dave Chaotic Neutral Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cherry Hill NJ Moto: GV1200 Madura, Hawk gt Posts: 13,992	Dying stator. Blade has the same thing going on. Always an adventure when I take her to work

03-04-2011, 09:54 AM	#4
Trip Hold mah beer! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 80 Miles South of Moto Heaven Moto: 08 R1200GS Posts: 23,268	charging system or a short in the wiring

03-04-2011, 02:37 PM	#10
Rangerscott Viff6N Mutated Warrior Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Moto: '01 Honda VFR 800 & '09 ER-6N Posts: 8,704	As said before with cars. If the alt isnt putting out enough juicet then the alt light will stay on. I think itll also come on if its overcharging. I wouldnt think its the rec since its connected after the stator.