2000 900 Dark ie, engine runs fine, dies then restarts minutes later: Causes

[Rickrides]

I'm hoping to receive a few suggestions on a problem that occurred on a ride yesterday.  I have a 2000 900 Dark ie with about 10,000 miles on it.  Fuel lines and filter have been replaced in the last 5000 miles.  Oil recently changed.  I had been riding for a couple of hours from about 2000 feet to 6000 feet and back down when, without warning, the bike just died.  The key was "on" and the oil light was illuminated after it died and the neutral light illuminated when I shifted into neutral. Initially engaging the starter button was ineffective; nothing happened.  A couple of minutes later, the bike started fine and ran the half hour home without further incident.

Thanks for your help!  Rick

[memper]

Spike?








First!

[SpikeC]

 Most likely!

[Howie]

When the bike stalls what do the gauges and lights do?  Does the bike loose power smoothly or does it buck and hesitate for a while?  When attempting to restart do you hear the pump prime?  Any strange sounds?  Have you tried opening the filler and cranking?  When was the last time the bike had a full service?

[seevtsaab]

DAMHIK, but, kill switch?

[Langanobob]

Kind of a shot in the dark, I have a bike (not a Ducati) that was doing something similar.  It turned out to be a problem with the fuel tank vent.  As fuel was used up, the tank would get under a slight vacuum, the fuel wouldn't feed properly and the engine would conk out.  After a few minutes it would start again. 

Not sure if this scenario could apply to your 200 900ie but thought I'd pass it on just in case.

- Bob

[Howie]

Absolutely Bob!

Have you tried opening the filler and cranking?

could have been more clear, like open filler cap after stalling and see if the bike now starts. 

[bdub]

At one point mine did that when turning left. I had a broken wire next to the head tube that would short out. But ---- it didn't happen while rideing

[cmejia1978]

• voltage rectifier connectors could be melting...
• check the spark plugs...
• screw the spark cables (they are not plugged to the spark plug connectors, but screwed!)

[Rickrides]

Thanks for the replies.

The bike just quit running without warning.  I had over-filled the fuel tank a bit at a fuel stop earlier in the day but that was at least 100 miles before the incident. 

I looked things over and did not see any loose or cracked wires.  Rectifier prongs look good (if that's the thing plugged in near the fuse box).

I took the bike for another ride and it was fine.  It was a shorter ride, about an hour overall. 

Bike has plugs with less than 1000 miles on them. Had a full service about 3000 miles ago.  Also has had fuel lines in the tank and fuel filter replaced. 

We'll see!  Keeping my fingers crossed it was just that the fuel system vent hose was slightly blocked due to overfilling the tank.