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Ducati broke down, engine warning light on

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alien
Joined
Apr 16, 2008
Location
on assignment
Moto(s)
Once in a while
Name
Ay Caramba
I was in some heavy traffic and engine was getting hot. Warning light came on and bike went into limp mode. I pulled over and shut it off and called a tow truck.

Anyone familiar with similar a situation? It’s a 2016 Hypermotard.

If the tow truck takes too long I might attempt to restart and ride home but that runs the risk of another breakdown if it’s not heat related. Then I’d have to arrange for another tow truck.
 
My opinion: get it towed home if you can.
Careful with a hot, pressurized cooling system - it is very dangerous.

If you are comfortable working on your own bike, check your coolant level, when cold.
Overheating can be one or more of the following:
Low coolant, failing radiator switch, failing water pump, failing cooking fans or temp sensors etc, clogged radiator, or worst case exhaust leaking into the coolant in the head.

Heavy traffic could mean that your fans were not coming on.

Best of luck,
/Soren
 
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Did it spit out any error codes?
 
No codes, only the light on.

There should be no issue from low coolant, it was in the shop recently.
It totally related to the stop and go traffic I was in.
 
Wait for the tow!

My ‘motard had an issue with the temp sensor a while back, but was ok was the sensor was replaced. In addition something weird happens in extreme stop and go traffic where the clutch will sometimes not fully disengage even though I’m holding the clutch in all the way, then will stall. Then again, mine is 08, yours double.

Best of luck and sorry about the situation.
 
I’ll wait and see what the shop has to say but other than a flat tire I’ve never had a bike break down on me before. Looking like this one might have to go.
 
Could be a sensor. Check the coolant level. If you go in the sub menu on the dash it will tell you what the light is on for in more detail.
 
Blankpage said:
There should be no issue from low coolant, it was in the shop recently. It totally related to the stop and go traffic I was in.
Click to expand...

Just because it was in the shop recently, that doesn't mean it couldn't be low coolant for any number of reasons.

There's another reason for low coolant/overheating that most people, often even mechanics, aren't aware of and it has to do with the health of the overflow system.

As coolant heats up it expands. Once it goes over the default pressure rating of the pressure cap, the cap seal opens to allow excess coolant to escape the main part of the cooling system and go to the overflow tank via a hose. Once enough pressure has been release, the seal closes and everything is good. The problems occur when the bike cools back down again. The way it's supposed to work is that as the coolant cools, it creates a vacuum and another valve in the pressure cap allows coolant to be sucked back into the main cooling system from the overflow tube and overflow tank. Again, all well and good. However, if there is any air leak at all between the outlet where the overflow hose attaches (just below where the cap fits) and all the way to the overflow tank, then when the coolant in the main part of the system cools, it then draws air into the main system instead of coolant. Have that happen enough times and you end up with enough air in the main system that the main system can't pressurize sufficiently and overheating results. Modern cooling systems depend on pressure to raise the boiling temperature of the coolant. Without the pressure, coolant boils and you have overheating.
 
ST Guy said:
Just because it was in the shop recently, that doesn't mean it couldn't be low coolant for any number of reasons.

There's another reason for low coolant/overheating that most people, often even mechanics, aren't aware of and it has to do with the health of the overflow system.

As coolant heats up it expands. Once it goes over the default pressure rating of the pressure cap, the cap seal opens to allow excess coolant to escape the main part of the cooling system and go to the overflow tank via a hose. Once enough pressure has been release, the seal closes and everything is good. The problems occur when the bike cools back down again. The way it's supposed to work is that as the coolant cools, it creates a vacuum and another valve in the pressure cap allows coolant to be sucked back into the main cooling system from the overflow tube and overflow tank. Again, all well and good. However, if there is any air leak at all between the outlet where the overflow hose attaches (just below where the cap fits) and all the way to the overflow tank, then when the coolant in the main part of the system cools, it then draws air into the main system instead of coolant. Have that happen enough times and you end up with enough air in the main system that the main system can't pressurize sufficiently and overheating results. Modern cooling systems depend on pressure to raise the boiling temperature of the coolant. Without the pressure, coolant boils and you have overheating.
Click to expand...


Correct...

I had an overheating issue with my 996 and it was a small crack in the coolant overflow tank.
 
EastBayDave said:
often overlooked, check the cooling fan FUSE first.
Click to expand...

+1. had a '98 spd triple, a bunch of gravel jammed up the the fan and popped the fuse. while waiting to enter sears pt., i was greeted with a shot of hot coolant from the overflow tank to the leg. the irony of overheating on a bike for the first time ever, on liquid cooled bike, was not lost on me......
 
Can you confirm yes or no; you heard the fan running when it was hot?
 
spdt509 said:
+1. had a '98 spd triple, a bunch of gravel jammed up the the fan and popped the fuse. while waiting to enter sears pt., i was greeted with a shot of hot coolant from the overflow tank to the leg. the irony of overheating on a bike for the first time ever, on liquid cooled bike, was not lost on me......
Click to expand...
Had similar happen to me: Day after buying my brand spanking new 00' ZX12R, went for a spin up Mines/Hamilton in 100' heat. Upon returning to Livermore hit heavy traffic in town so went to local watering hole. Saw some coolant coming out the overflow, so took the long way home (to get wind in the radiator for extra cooling.) No further overheating w/windy ride home.

Dealer couldn't find a problem, so I searched & bingo, blown fan fuse on brand new bike. Don't know why, but replacing fixed it & no more problems...:teeth
 
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Ducati Electronics. On my Multistrada 1200, I’ve replaced the rear wheel speed sensor that controls the ABS and now the fuel pump needs to be replaced.

:party
 
I’ve never noticed the fan cutting in on this bike. If it does it’s not at all noticeable like the noise my KTM us d to make.
I was getting concerned about overheating and spraying my legs with scalding hot water. Luckily it broke down before that happened :teeth
 
I have learned to shut off my Tuono when I am stopped at a long light. The temp eventually climbs to 239 F, which is when I start getting warnings. A guy I know has a 1299 Panigale and he does the same thing - shuts the engine off at lights. These bikes are not made for stop and go traffic in mild to hot weathers.
 
I'd get a thermostat that triggered the fan at a lower temperature.

But that's just me being lazy, or not wanting my engine to overheat due to crappy design. :teeth
 
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