No spark

cmd

Finally got to the point of my 888 rebuild where I could try getting the bike to start. Been waiting on an oil strainer which Steve on here kindly sent. Turn the key on and the pump primes so all good I'm thinking. Turn it over though and no spark from either plug :-)

I'm thinking of 2 distinct things. Firstly there are 2 plugs which go from the crank/cam sensors which can plug into either of the corresponding plugs - I assume this would just mean the wrong cylinder would fire if I get them wrong but there s nothing to show which goes into which so I don't think that is the problem.

Second is I have 1 wire unaccounted for. Its a green with a red tracer on the left hand side of the bike near the thermostat housing. Has a plug which looks like it should go to a temp sensor or similar but i can't find anything which isn't plugged in.

I assume there is no diagnostics or similar on the 888 - even my Honda CX500 Turbo has lights on the ECU for trouble shooting but having not taken the bike apart originally I'm at a bit of a loss as to where to look first so any suggestions are most welcome.

econti

Do the injectors fire? If not it may be the crank angle sensor. The gap from the sensor to the teeth is very important, and mine wouldn't work as it was too far. I removed the shim and it fired on the button.
Check for fuel being delivered.

Mr.R

Have you changed anything inside the motor as in fitted an alloy flywheel or changed anything in the timing side of the motor?

Steve R

Bridgland

cmd wroteSecond is I have 1 wire unaccounted for. Its a green with a red tracer on the left hand side of the bike near the thermostat housing. Has a plug which looks like it should go to a temp sensor or similar but i can't find anything which isn't plugged in.

Chris

Going to look on my 888 which has all of the panels off right now (front forks need new seals). I believe the plug you are talking about might be for the front brake micro switch, especially if the other wire is purple/violet with a black tracer. Let me check and I'll come back to you.

Chris

Bridgland

Bridgland wroteChris Going to look on my 888 which has all of the panels off right now (front forks need new seals). I believe the plug you are talking about might be for the front brake micro switch, especially if the other wire is purple/violet with a black tracer. Let me check and I'll come back to you. Chris

Correction - It is your side stand switch cable and might be the reason you are not getting a spark. If the engine is in gear and this is enabled, I assume this has the same effect as the kill switch.

Chris

cmd

Thanks for all of the suggestions - working now. Turned out to be the 2 identical plugs running between the 2 cylinders. 50/50 chance and of course they were the wrong way around. Swapped them and it fired up after a little coaxing.

Doesn't run very well but the throttle position sensor has been off so I guess I need to work out how to reset that. Seems to be a bit slow to rev and pops and bangs a bit. Probably treat it to some new plugs as well.

Mr.R

Bridgland wroteCorrection - It is your side stand switch cable and might be the reason you are not getting a spark. If the engine is in gear and this is enabled, I assume this has the same effect as the kill switch. Chris

The side stand switch is just for a light to warn you that the stand is down, it does nothing else.

MarkT

cmd wroteThanks for all of the suggestions - working now. Turned out to be the 2 identical plugs running between the 2 cylinders. 50/50 chance and of course they were the wrong way around. Swapped them and it fired up after a little coaxing. Doesn't run very well but the throttle position sensor has been off so I guess I need to work out how to reset that. Seems to be a bit slow to rev and pops and bangs a bit. Probably treat it to some new plugs as well.

Easy to mix them up. Not sure why Ducati equipped both position sensors with the same plug configuration- but they did. I have always marked mine when removing the harness or pulling off the side cover--- even though after 20 plus years of working on these bikes I know which is which.

griff851

A little bit odd here. I've hooked them up back to front and it started but ran like a dog popping and farting etc. Put them around the right way and it settled down.

Bridgland

Mr.R wroteThe side stand switch is just for a light to warn you that the stand is down, it does nothing else.

Must remember that. Must be a more modern thing where bikes cut off the engine when put into gear with the stand down.

Mr.R

My guess is the single wire hanging down is for the temp' sender, that's mounted on the coolant stub.
But all this wire does is work the temp' gauge, so it shouldn't effect the running of the motor.
The reason for my "Guess" is that (for some time now) I no longer run the standard coolant stub having ditched the Thermostat, I run a different stub now and have the temp' gauge sensor tapped straight into the head near the stub.
I also relocated the Temp' sensor for the ECU to the hose running to the bottom of the Corse rad', this is where the later 916 etc run them.
This gives a more accurate message as to the coolant temp' to the ECU.

Steve R