Electrical Help Needed

[Duccout]

Hi, any electrical wizards here?

As reported elsewhere, my 350 has intermittent ignition failure, and I don't know what to do. I have checked the power feed to the Electrex World unit, wiggling wires and the power is constant, so how do I know if the fault lies with the ignition unit? If I measure the voltage of the wires that come out of the unit and go down to the pick-up, I am getting 4.95 volts on the brown wire, and 0.8 volts on the blue wire; does anyone know if this is correct? How does one test the ignition unit?

Thanks,

Colin

[LaceyDucati]

Colin

As with all electronic components I would not advise randomly checking components without any test data from the manufacturer. Electrex do not generally provide any test data, but they do provide a basic test regime which is somewhere on their site. If you can't find it, email me/Edina and we will send it on. Electrex said that random testing without knowledge is of limited use and may possibly cause damage. I'm not in any way an electronics expert, but I can imagine a little knowledge can be dangerous.....at least for the components.

If you run through the tests advised and anything comes to light we can help with test components.



Regards Nigel

[LaceyDucati]

Regarding the ignition switch mentioned in another post. You originally said the bike was running again when you returned to the workshop.....then you fitted a new switch. I would wire the ignition direct to the battery as Electrex's diagram, just to rule out the bikes wiring and ignition switch. Also disconnect any kill switch if installed. This is always a good starting point, to eliminate things and focus on just the ignition.

Nigel

[Duccout]

Hi Nigel,

Thank you for your suggestions. I will run a wire direct to the ignition system, which will eliminate the possibility of a fault in the 50 year old wiring loom. At least then if the sparks fail again then the fault must lie within the ignition system. Concurrently with this my internet is dropping in and out continuously, and although several engineers have given it a clean bill of health, it is still doing it! I'm beginning to suspect some sort of alien force field around my house.....


Cheers,

Colin

[Duccout]

Right,

New wire to the Electrex unit, but weirdness continues; no spark, no matter how I wiggle the wires, then suddenly a good spark! Then no spark...... My conclusion is that the unit must be faulty, but I am no expert. One thing I have not checked is the earth, so I will do that to eliminate it.

Colin

[Duccout]

Progress of sorts.... I emailed Electrex World asking for some data on the ignition system, not expecting a reply (the web site states not to expect a reply for several days, if at all) and a very helpful guy called Bob replied and said that the problem may be the magnetism in the rotor and that he would send me a replacement FOC! If that does not work I will ask Nigel if he can supply a replacement CDI/coil unit.

This afternoon there was no spark at all when I checked several times, but after I tried detectimg the magnetism on the rotor with a small piece of steel, the sparks returned. It is an absolute mystery. Possibly the system has been playing up for a while, as sometimes the engine would start first kick, and others it would take a lot of kicking.


Cheers,

Colin

[LaceyDucati]

Colin,

Is the LED on the pulsar ring going on and off when you crank the engine with the power on? I pressumed this was a STK169 battery ignition. When you refer to rotor, do you mean the small alloy rotor (with two magnets) in the timing cover? Can't see how the rotor can fail, unless the magnets are compromised or missing....certainly not cause a come and go issue. Any chance one of the pickup wires is touching down/compromised where they pass through the casing? Very frustrating!

[Duccout]

Hi Nigel,

Yes, STK 169D ignition, and no the LED is not flashing when I crank the engine, which I presume means that either there is no power to the pulsar unit, or no magnetism in the rotor. Bob at Electrex asked the same question which I presume made him think that the magnetism had failed, but I can't see it myself. Thanks for the suggestion about the wires, I will have a look, as it could easily be a short; it is just so weird, I can wiggle all the wires and there is still no spark, then ten minutes later there is one, and no amount of wiggling wires will stop it, then ten minutes later it has gone again. I may just fit a new system, because unless I resolve this definitely, I will never trust it again.

Thanks for your help,

Colin

[Duccout]

Moving on, the fact that the pulse light is not working, yet I have power to both live wires into the pulser unit, surely the problem must lie with the pulser unit? I did receive the new rotor from Electrex World (great service) but it made no difference, there is still no spark and I can't find anything wrong with the wiring.


Colin

[Duccout]

Update!

No spark at all today, and I was poised with my credit card on the Lacey Ducati web site to buy a replacement system, but noticed that the new system is different to the STK-169D, so thought about it, as installation is difficult on the Forza frame, due to lack of space.

Searching the Net for Electrex World problems I found a guy who criticises the multi pin terminals used, saying that the pins must be pushed home from the wire side or there is a danger of the pins being pushed apart and not making contact properly. I had a look at mine and one was pushed out slightly from the plastic housing, so after pushing it home with a small screwdriver, the sparks returned.....I can't believe that just pushing the pin in 1mm would solve the problem, but watch this space.....


Colin