pull the two small wires off the starter relay and check volts

 

and what should it be there ? 12v ?

 

12v on the small wires when you push the ignition switch in if you pull the two small wires off and the bike tries to start the starter relay is stuck they do stick after time. Then its time for a new one pull the starter relay out so if it sticks tap it that is what I did on my old 99 relay cost me about 60.00 the one on my s4 2002 cost 92.00 for that relay so I have had bad luck with the starter relays shop manual on eBay cheep

 

I couldn't test any volts. Introducing the battery, which was basically dead, plus a charger-the bike would try to start. It would try to start regardless of pressing the start button or even the key! I even pulled the ignition fuse and it still tried to turn over. Anyway, I tried following some wires from the positive side of the battery which led me, eventually, almost directly below the battery-a cyndrical shaped item, that if I had to guess, would say solenoid (starter solenoid?). The clip running some wires into that was a little black and the retaining clip was broken off. However, after securing that and tapping on the part seemed to correct the problem-for now. Anyone know if what I'm describing is the starter solenoid or what wires are running via (white plastic) clip? Regardless I'm sure it needs to be better secured and replaced. Again, thanks to all of you who have responded.

 

Does it look like this ? http://shop.italo-shop-neuss.de/images/product_images/popup_images/2766_0.jpg

 

That looks like it, however, it's tough to tell size in the picture. The picture looks like it is a little larger. Are you familiar? Would the input for the clip be on the back side that I can't see in the picture? Thanks.

 

http://www.desmotimes.com/ ---------good price here

 

I got two more seasons out of mine after thwacking it with a screwdriver handle.

CA Cycleworks also carries these at a good price.

If you want an inexpensive alternate and don't mind wiring a different connector to the loom there are oodles of these available on fleabay and elsewhere for $8 - $15 bucks a pop. I doubt they're any less reliable than the flaky Hitachi units on the older Monsters.

 

A starter solenoid is used on all Ducatis. It's a simple electrical device that completes the circuit to the starter when you hit the starter button. When the starter solenoid blows, it instantly kills the motor and it won't start again until the solenoid is replaced. If this is the case, why would the bike try to start? It's an even greater mystery as to why it would try with the key off and without pressing the start button?

 

I don't believe that the solenoid kills the motor if it "blows." The usual problem seems to be sticking as the result of corrosion. These solenoids can stick open or closed. Obviously if it's stuck open, there's no click and no juice will go to the starter.

If the solenoid is stuck closed, it doesn't care where the key is or whether the starter button is being pressed, it's closing a circuit to send juice to the starter regardless.

 

Well, for the most part, it seems as if the mystery is solved and it doesn't seem as bad as I first thought. Unfortunately, common almost. Thank you to everyone who took time to respond.

 

Did you swap out the relay? I'm just curious as I'm having a similar problem -- also, anyone decide where the best place to buy a new solenoid is?

 

If you have a multimeter and want to isolate the cause of your problem you can do this. Unplug the connector going to the solenoid, make sure the run switch is engaged and the bike is in neutral, turn on the ignition, and press the starter button while taking a reading from the two pins on the connector (it leads to the starter button) to see if it's sending any current to the solenoid. If it is then the solenoid is likely at fault.

To verify this, pull the rubber boots from the larger connectors on the solenoid and short them with the blade of a screwdriver. One comes from the battery while the other leads to the starter. The starter should obviously fire up, and if not, the solenoid may not be your problem. But it most often is, from what I've seen and read.

If you want a straight up plug-n-play replacement I think CA Cycleworks has the best price on this unit, or as mentioned above (you did read every last post, didn't you?) you can wire a new connector into the loom to make available a larger variety of near identical and much less expensive solenoids. Here's on example on fleabay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e.../ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160470278339&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

Got it -- that means I need to go solenoid shopping because when I short my solenoid she fires right up. I was thinking it could be a number of things but this seems most likely it

 

I was reading through your posts and I was wondering how you wired in the new relay to the harness. I picked up a yamaha relay like the one ca-cycleworks sells. I just dont know how to wire in the plug.

My bike has a red/black and red/green wires. The Yamaha relay has a red and blue wire.

 

Red to red....