S4 not starting

jerry · 27-12-2017, 04:28 AM

woke up this morning to go to bangkok 120 miles ,, but the S4 would not start ,,it had been raining last night and is damp and cold this morning ,, bike turns over well ,,,, coughs almost fires ,, but alas no also tried bump start down the hill ... no joy

so whats the problem ? battery is OK

my suspects are damp electric s , bad fuel, fouled up plugs ,,, blocked fuel filter ???

any other suggestions welcome

any have borrowed Alex's bennelli 302 and will have a look at the S4 when back in Prattaya in 2 days hmmmm ???

Mr Gazza · 27-12-2017, 09:35 AM

Steering head bearings too tight??

jerry · 27-12-2017, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Gazza

Steering head bearings too tight??

ha ha ,, very drole gazza

jerry · 31-12-2017, 07:37 AM

solved ,, came back after 2 days bike started 1st click of button ????? and thats before id even touched it (must be female) checked the plugs , coils and battery it was only 12.4 volts bunged it on the charger ,, no dodgy fuel or other issues ,gave every electic connector and sensor a good dose of contact cleaner and wd40 ...... bit of a mystery really ,,,?????? could have been the cold and damp suppose ????

Darren69 · 31-12-2017, 11:44 AM

I feel your pain with these S4 starting issues, Jerry. My '02 Foggy is difficult to start too, and after 3 or 4 attempts you might as well give up as the battery is drained. I found that replacing the battery with a new Motobatt 3 years ago helped a lot, mainly I think due to the fact that 3 or 4 attempts wouldn't kill the battery so much. My bike stands a lot unused for weeks at a time sometimes but on a battery tender before I start it would help. If you google S4 starting issues it is usually down to the battery or the battery leads.

There are several battery lead upgrades available which are supposed to help and I'm wondering if it is worth doing that or just replace the battery?

I have had no issues with my 748 to the same extent that I have had with the S4 but the battery leads on 748 are so much shorter. Have you done the lead upgrade on yours and if so was it worth it?

jerry · 03-01-2018, 02:54 AM

my bike has new motobatt, uprated battery wiring and starter cables and it was running fine day before and its ok now ,, must have been the damp cold weather in thailand that day 18c misty , raining

Darren69 · 03-01-2018, 09:16 AM

Is it noticeably better with the new leads vs the standard ones?

jerry · 03-01-2018, 10:06 AM

Hmmm not really any different .

Darren69 · 03-01-2018, 09:14 PM

Is it all marketing blurb then that the Exact Start cables are so much better than the standard Ducat i ones? Maybe I should keep my £60 and just buy a new battery after all.

jerry · 04-01-2018, 03:21 AM

When i changed out my old cable I just got a realy thick Car /truck one the correct length it was at least 30% more dense than the old cable

Dukedesmo · 04-01-2018, 08:39 AM

Halfords sell heavy-duty battery leads in various lengths for not much money, I've got them on my Monster and they work fine.

I had, many years ago bought some expensive 'Motoelectric' cables from the USA for my 916, they did the job OK but I'd say the Halfords ones work just as well for a fraction of the price.

350TSS · 04-01-2018, 12:21 PM

Also try welding cable 16mm sq available from Oxford welding supplies or on flee bay for probably less than Halfrauds - but you will have to buy also crimp terminals

jerry · 05-01-2018, 12:34 PM

new problem today solenoid is not working , unless i short it with a spanner , then the motor turns over and starts , battery is good ,,,, and have swopped relays around ,,no joy on the starter button ..

gonna try a new solenoid if i can find one locally . for obvious reasons wont bother with ducati dealer

Darren69 · 05-01-2018, 03:09 PM

Maybe that was the original problem you had and its finally packed up altogether?

jerry · 05-01-2018, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darren69

Maybe that was the original problem you had and its finally packed up altogether?

could be ,, ?? it is 18 years old

27-12-2017, 04:28 AM	#1
jerry Old Git Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cricklade Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,822	S4 not starting woke up this morning to go to bangkok 120 miles ,, but the S4 would not start ,,it had been raining last night and is damp and cold this morning ,, bike turns over well ,,,, coughs almost fires ,, but alas no also tried bump start down the hill ... no joy so whats the problem ? battery is OK my suspects are damp electric s , bad fuel, fouled up plugs ,,, blocked fuel filter ??? any other suggestions welcome any have borrowed Alex's bennelli 302 and will have a look at the S4 when back in Prattaya in 2 days hmmmm ??? __________________ MONSTERMAN

27-12-2017, 09:35 AM	#2
Mr Gazza Lord of the Rings Join Date: May 2013 Location: Norwich Bike: M900sie Posts: 5,810	Steering head bearings too tight?? __________________

31-12-2017, 07:37 AM	#4
jerry Old Git Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cricklade Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,822	solved ,, came back after 2 days bike started 1st click of button ????? and thats before id even touched it (must be female) checked the plugs , coils and battery it was only 12.4 volts bunged it on the charger ,, no dodgy fuel or other issues ,gave every electic connector and sensor a good dose of contact cleaner and wd40 ...... bit of a mystery really ,,,?????? could have been the cold and damp suppose ???? __________________ MONSTERMAN

31-12-2017, 11:44 AM	#5
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,023	I feel your pain with these S4 starting issues, Jerry. My '02 Foggy is difficult to start too, and after 3 or 4 attempts you might as well give up as the battery is drained. I found that replacing the battery with a new Motobatt 3 years ago helped a lot, mainly I think due to the fact that 3 or 4 attempts wouldn't kill the battery so much. My bike stands a lot unused for weeks at a time sometimes but on a battery tender before I start it would help. If you google S4 starting issues it is usually down to the battery or the battery leads. There are several battery lead upgrades available which are supposed to help and I'm wondering if it is worth doing that or just replace the battery? I have had no issues with my 748 to the same extent that I have had with the S4 but the battery leads on 748 are so much shorter. Have you done the lead upgrade on yours and if so was it worth it? __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

03-01-2018, 02:54 AM	#6
jerry Old Git Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cricklade Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,822	my bike has new motobatt, uprated battery wiring and starter cables and it was running fine day before and its ok now ,, must have been the damp cold weather in thailand that day 18c misty , raining __________________ MONSTERMAN

03-01-2018, 09:16 AM	#7
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,023	Is it noticeably better with the new leads vs the standard ones? __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

03-01-2018, 10:06 AM	#8
jerry Old Git Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cricklade Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,822	Hmmm not really any different . __________________ MONSTERMAN

03-01-2018, 09:14 PM	#9
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,023	Is it all marketing blurb then that the Exact Start cables are so much better than the standard Ducat i ones? Maybe I should keep my £60 and just buy a new battery after all. __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

04-01-2018, 03:21 AM	#10
jerry Old Git Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cricklade Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,822	When i changed out my old cable I just got a realy thick Car /truck one the correct length it was at least 30% more dense than the old cable __________________ MONSTERMAN

04-01-2018, 08:39 AM	#11
Dukedesmo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Leics Bike: M900 Posts: 2,844	Halfords sell heavy-duty battery leads in various lengths for not much money, I've got them on my Monster and they work fine. I had, many years ago bought some expensive 'Motoelectric' cables from the USA for my 916, they did the job OK but I'd say the Halfords ones work just as well for a fraction of the price. __________________ M900, 916, LeMans II.

04-01-2018, 12:21 PM	#12
350TSS Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Shipbourne Bike: M900 Posts: 1,419	Also try welding cable 16mm sq available from Oxford welding supplies or on flee bay for probably less than Halfrauds - but you will have to buy also crimp terminals

05-01-2018, 12:34 PM	#13
jerry Old Git Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cricklade Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,822	new problem today solenoid is not working , unless i short it with a spanner , then the motor turns over and starts , battery is good ,,,, and have swopped relays around ,,no joy on the starter button .. gonna try a new solenoid if i can find one locally . for obvious reasons wont bother with ducati dealer __________________ MONSTERMAN

05-01-2018, 03:09 PM	#14
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,023	Maybe that was the original problem you had and its finally packed up altogether? __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage