This morning, I noticed my odometers and clocks had all reset to 0. After about 10 minutes of driving, all instrument light lit up and then I lost power for about 1/2 a second. The power losses repeated about 5 or 6 times for about 1/2 a second.

Made it to work without any further problems. I check the battery connection and they're good. No visible signs of problems around the bike or under the seat.

I tried turing the key from on to off to lock and then to the parking light. At that point, all power was gone. After turning the key a couple of times, I got power, lost it, and then got it back.

Any thoughts? I hope can make it home. :(

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, AZ) (Agibbs996@aol.com), June 22, 2004

Answers

Yo! I guess, you have to do a lot of troubleshooting yourself. The best thing to is to have your dealer look at it first and let them worry the problems for you while sipping a cup of coffee. This may be due to several reasons; (1) loose battery contacts, (2) loose main relay contacts, (3) loose connections with your computer box, (4) grounded or short circuitted key electrical connection from washing, and all other stuff you can think of. Of course, this are just wild guesses, it might be and might not be the problem. But the best thing to do is have the professional work on it first. You don't want a veterinarian to check on your dentures, would ya????

-- AJ (adiviso@hotmail.com), June 22, 2004.

Well, it's not the battery. Atleast directly, I tried to charge it and the battery's okay. It's light up and shuts down intermittently.

I'm 90 miles from the nearest dealer, which means I may have a local Ducati dealer work on it, especially since the bikes out of warranty. I think the electrical systems on the MV and the 998/996/916s are similar. :(

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, AZ) (Agibbs996@aol.com), June 23, 2004.

Allan, I know how to fix your problem. Just sell the bike to me at the aforementioned low wholesale/trade value, and then buy one of the new more powerful 1000's arriving shortly at your local friendly dealer :)

-- Brian Ogle (brian928s@cs.com), June 23, 2004.

Funny you mention that. My payoff is $14K, but I would gladly fixed the electrical probelm, and sell the bike for $13K. If the buyer didn't mind some scratches on the mid-section of the left fair that resulted from a gas station tip over.

On the plus side, I have new Pilot tires (about 1,000 miles old) and a 14T final drive sprocket and had the 7,500 miles service done. The bike has 9,000 miles.

As a matter of fact, I think I may be able to convince the dealer in Tuscon, to offer some financing, shipping, etc., because I'd just turn around and put a deposit for a F41000S, sometime early next year.

Anyone interested? :)

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, Az) (Agibbs996@aol.com), June 23, 2004.

Allan,

I had some wierd shit like that happen once on my F4 after I washed it. I expect some water got in where it shouldn't have. Since then I've been careful to keep water away from the ignition switch and also about how much water pressure I apply when rinsing around the ignition and instrumentation. I haven't had the same problem since.

-- James (jbenham@vtown.com.au), June 23, 2004.

James,

Do you remember reading the bit in the owners manual about NOT USEING A PREASURE WASH.

-- Mark M (m.magenis@btinternet.com), June 24, 2004.

Check the fuses - make sure they are seated properly. I notice everything reset when I pulled one of the fuses- can't remember which one... perhaps a loose wire going the fusebox? Worth a check..

-- Bill (wbmac@yahoo.com), June 24, 2004.

A problem that some of you might want to know about. Since the problem is intermittend, you will find either a relay (not likely) or much more probable the ingnition switch. If you are capable, pull the switch, use air to blow it out thouroughly, and then use some ignition sealer spray or WD 40 all around the sides and the bottom. If it gets wet enough the bike will not turn off. The problem only appears serious. .

-- Cali-Kane (mvagusta@sbcglobal.net), June 24, 2004.

Allan, i had the same problem with my F4 last year.Just the same as told. My mechanic detected a wiring problem in that "big-black-taped" set of wires,he has done the bike for 20 mins! Went off good as new! I will keep you posted re problem,ciao

-- erwin m. benipayo (benipayo@hotmail.com), June 27, 2004.

Erwin, you are exactly right. Turns out the problems was a disconnection in the electrical harnest and didn't have anything to due with the ignition. Although it took a few hours to find the can wire. And, I got a new battery, since the original was more than two years old.

On a side note, after seeing a EVO3 in red/silver in the show room, I think I really want a 1000cc red/silver. So, if anyone's interested in a 2002 MV diamond silver 2 seater with 9,200 miles. New Pilot tires (180 rear), new battery, and a 14T front sprocket. My payoff is $14K but I'd sell for $13K. I could probably get Steve to handle financing, inspection, and shipping.

The one thing is I still have a scratch on the left side fairing from when the bike tipped over at a gas station. If anyone's interest let me know. You can find the history of my bike on this forum too.

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, AZ) (Agibbs996@aol.com), June 27, 2004.

Mark,

WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING ;-) I was referring to garden hose pressure not a pressure wash. Thanks for the warning anyway!!

-- James (jbenham@vtown.com.au), June 27, 2004.

James, I also spoken with my dealer about washing the bike. I thought he was going to promote one of those sprayless washes, where you use spray something and wip off.

My dealer did say it was okay to use a garden hose on the light setting. However, he said to becareful not to get too much watter around the fuse area.

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, Az) (agibbs996@aol.com), June 28, 2004.