I was driving home today and it was raining. Got to the gate, turn bike off, open gate, turn bike on and drive inside. Turn it off and close gate. Then turn it back on to drive to the garage.
Then the problem started as soon as i turn off the bike. I turn the switch off and the bike still is acting like it's trying to start up. Bike was still cranking until I physically took the negative connector off of the battery.
While I was taking the screw off the negative pole connector, a white puff of steam spewed out. This is how the battery looks. Is this a sign that a problem is lurking other than a bad battery? If so, what should I be looking for?
It is possible that the battery simply suffered an early failure. I wonder if the battery got hot. It would be difficult to tell the exact mode of failure without opening the battery up post-mortem. The bulging on the side of the battery looks pretty severe, but it is the apparent bulge on the front (right above the writing) that is the most curious. This is perpindicular to the plate axis and shouldn't bulge like that unless the battery got extremely hot or caught fire.
Also check to make sure that the charging system isn't putting out more than 14.2V or so at 3500 rpm to avoid overcharging the battery.
sburns2421 = the bulge you were talking about goes around the other side also. When I was removing the battery it wasn't hot to the touch but it was warm.
It sounds to me as though your starter solenoid stuck and toasted your battery. As above: new solenoid and battery.
Chris Kelley at CA-Cycleworks.com sells a Yamaha solenoid that is supposedly better than the OEM Ducati part.
Yep, that's it. Supposed to be a better solenoid although I have never tried one.
I would have my charging system checked once you get it back up and running just to make sure it isn't overcharging, just to be on the safe side.
check all the grounds in the starter loop. why didnt you just let it idle when you open and closed the gate? not like that would have prevented it...just wondering
Here's a different "Take" on this..I've had this happen to me a couple of times ..the most memorable was when my Brand New Ford Pick-up Burnt like a "Pig-Roast" while I was driving down the road...(Flames leaping out the hood..Looked Like Nick Cage in that Hell Biker movie..a real headturner on the Interstate)..Bad Bendix (or starter engagement), Stuck Drive Gear in Flywheel..while driving turns starter into generator, overcharging Batt., burning Pos. Cable and the only way to stop is disconnecting the Batt. and hope the Batt. doesn't blow..Had it happen on a Harley once and it was due to improper fit of starter (last mech.) causing same thing..It can happen !!
marvin - thanks bro. I'm going to charge an old battery and I'll have to check the system.
robfromsc - I would but the sidestand kill switch prevents me from doing it.
NGR - wow- when i saw the white puff of steam come out of the battery while I was disconnecting the positive side, i immediately step out of the way. I thought the batt was going to explode. Lucky me it didn't.
I'm going to check the solenoid and buy a new battery and/or solenoid if needed. I'll let you guys know what happens next. Thanks for all your help. Glad we have this forum.
Look into the Yamaha or another brand for the solenoid. The Honda parts from the late 60's through the 90's are excellent quality but a little smaller in diameter than the Duc unit. You'll have to cut the trigger wires and fit the Duc connector to it which is no biggie.
There was no problem with the battery. It got leaned on pretty badly from the current draw and just overheated in the first cell. Time to recycle that one.
shucks! my other battery is also toast. time to get a new one again. Hey is there a way to test if this solenoid is still good? Or am I better off just getting a new one?
shucks! my other battery is also toast. time to get a new one again. Hey is there a way to test if this solenoid is still good? Or am I better off just getting a new one?
thanks for all your advices.
If it stuck once why would you ever trust it again!!
I personally would bin it and get a new one!
I heard it said that the 748-916-998 series bikes have a rather high battery/solenoid failure rate because of the battery/solenoids being mounted in such a high-temp area of the bike. And if that's true then living in Florida probably doesn't help matters.
While you have the fairings off and the battery disconnected, might as well clean the leads to the starter motor and coat them in dielectric grease. It won't help the battery/solenoid problem, but it's good maintenance and might even prevent a problem down the road.
Dude, a faulty battery is not going to cause your bike to continue to crank when you turn the ignition off!
Merry Christmas
It is well known that a low charged battery will cause the starter solenoid to stick on, happens all the time.I have this happen on Harley's, Honda's,Ducati's and even water craft. All the starter solenoid is small electro-magnet that will seize(either from low voltage or even just a bad unit) and the internal spring wont overcome the seizure causing the electrical system to continue to run on until battery if dead or cables to battery and starter are fried.
Is this a SIGN of a major problem!!
Linear Mode
