Duc Multistrada 1000 DS, mystery electrical.

jjdugen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jun 2011 Karma :

Hoping someones been daft enough to own one of these things....
This one had shut down on the motorway as the owner turned on the headlights. AA guy did a fair enough job of diagnosing that the lighting / fuel pump fuse bank only had approx. 5 volts on the pins.
He jumpered a lead straight from the battery to one of the fuse legs, full operation restored. Remove link and, sure enough 5 volts to the fuse bank.
Its a real bitch getting the bodywork out of the way, but I could see no real problem points, all connectors 'seem' sound. The only one I couldn't check was the multi core circular unit, didn't want to break it and could see no way to separate the thing. (Anyone know how?)
Anyway, in the process, full operation resumed, 12 volts to the fuse bank, lights all working, fuel pump priming, engine starts and runs.
I did nothing more than un plug and reconnect the connection blocks I could get apart and a bit of wire jiggling.
Anyone have any ideas? I've told him to keep his AA man's jumper wire handy for a while!
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chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

For any odd electrical issues my first port of call is often to open all connector blocks clean them and ensure they are back together tight. If could have been something as simple as a loose connection or a bit of corrosion.
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Islander · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Aug 2012 Karma :

It sounds like unplugging and replugging the connectors remade a poor connection.

I'd probably repeat the operation while monitoring voltage on the fuse unit and watching for fluctuations initially. I'd also be looking for corrosion on connectors, loose wires into connector blocks and other points where disturbing the cabling could have made a difference.

jjdugen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jun 2011 Karma :

Hi. All the above were my initial thoughts. Something able to block 6+ volts must be self evident. But, all connectors were clean, no evidence of wiring that had been overloaded and gone high resistance, none of the usual suspects.
As we know that a jumper wire will restore normal operation, he's going to ride it and see if it re-appears. An unsatisfactory conclusion.
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The CBR900RR has been sold. Aprilia Falco worms its way into my heart.
Try Soi 23 on Amazon for a good read.... Self promotion? Moi?

Matt S · Derestricted Danger Joined: 29 Dec 2014 Karma :

Try a post on Multistrada.net. Loads of experience on there with these bikes.

Matt

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

If the problem is only affecting one circuit, then it is unlikely to be a problem with a shared earthing point. That means you can narrow it down to the wires and connectors just for that circuit.

Dirty/corroded connectors can cause all kind of mischief, so it could have just been that. Another possibility is a broken wire inside its insulation, but I've only come across this where the wires move around a lot - generally the wiring bundle around the headstock, which moves a bit with the bars. If the fusebox is under the seat and the circuit it controls is on the engine, a broken wire is unlikely.