First sign of bad throttle behavior

NurseDaddy · Oct 10, 2014

Well, I was hoping my bike was immune but apparently not.

On my commute this morning when I came upon a right turn I make during every commute, the throttle didn't close though I rolled off to decel and downshift. The bike didn't slow down and to avoid running off the outside of the turn and onto the opposite curb I had to grab the brakes and pull in the clutch and try to lean the bike over way late. I corrected and rode through the turn and coasted down to the next intersection. Blipped the throttle a few times and it seemed normal.

15 miles later I was at a light, ready to take off so I crept forward a bit to position myself better and when I rolled back off the throttle,it stayed at 2500. Clutch in, no throttle applied, it sat there with the RPMS that way until I gave it a couple of blips and then it settled down.

Bad enough I have to dodge all the horrible NYC drivers, now I have to worry that my bike is going to unintentionally accelerate me into getting killed. Nice.

Bruder · Oct 10, 2014

@Nursedaddy,

Had the same problem in Italy 3 month ago after an heavy rain shower! Called my dealer in Germany for advice! He said He need to check the ECU first for faults,before he can do something! So after the break no problem anymore for the rest of the trip!

After the return to germany the Dealer checked the ECU for faults, Clears the memory and cleaned the throttle and did a software Update! So no big deal,the Last 3 month and 3500km No problem any more!

GruÃŸ Steffen

gatdammit · Oct 10, 2014

This is a pretty big deal. I'm thinking Prius unintended acceleration. I would just stress that the dealer needs to bring this to Ducati's attention. Seems like the TBW contacts act up when dirty or very wet. I rode through many FL downpours without this particular symptom, however, I did have a string of faulty startup's in limp mode which the tech's related to bad communication in the throttle contacts.

NurseDaddy · Oct 10, 2014

I've not ridden in rain that was much more than a sprinkle. I've washed the bike though, but I never aim water at the controls or engine, mostly body and wheels to get the grime off.

I think I'm going to ride with my GoPro on from now on so it can record this behavior should it happen again. The last thing I want to do is get hurt, either. And I certainly don't want anything that happens to be attributed to rider error. Should the symptoms be captured on video, I'll be able to show it to the dealer.

What would I see indicated on the dash display, anything? How do I bring up a code?

Bruder · Oct 10, 2014

You See the yellow Engine light is well!
With the fault Code the Ducati Dealer need to do Job! The fault is safed in the ECU and the Dealer need to read out what the problem is! You can not do anything!

It's no big deal for ME

! I still feel very,very Safe with my Hyperstrada I have no Problem at all with that and the Dealer and Ducati know about the problem with my Hyperstrada!

GruÃŸ Steffen

gatdammit · Oct 10, 2014

Well, my limp mode starts never showed an "error" on display. I'd say of the dozen or so limp mode start-ups I had, only once did I get the "error". Always cleared and worked 4.0 after shutting down and starting back up.

TitoZilla · Oct 10, 2014

It's a very serious problem. I posted in a different thread in relation to this. I did not have the electronic throttle sticking issue until after a long trip through some serious downpours. The service manager at my Ducati shop saw the issue first hand and his eyes widened!

I just hope Ducati will continue to support us. Its a serious safety issue and recipe for disaster.

Bruder · Oct 11, 2014

I think with the speed limit in the US is a very serious safety issue! Here in Germany not so much.

Sorry if you get upset with me but I could not resist!

With my first monster 18 years ago. I'm not even came from the parking space of my Ducati dealer place. The tank has already start to leak!
Thats Ducati is well, but I did't have a problem with that BECAUSE IT'S DUCATI AND I LOVE IT and I learned a lot over the years!

Gruss Steffen

NurseDaddy · Oct 11, 2014

It's not an issue to be taken lightly.
A throttle staying on when you don't want it to means the difference between control and dangerous loss of control that can put you in danger very quickly. Throttle issues shouldnt be chalked up to a quirk of the marque. I wouldnt want to operate a vehicle that has random issues with its brakes either. A bike that keeps the throttle open when you close it means you need to process that you are not slowing down as you expected, you need to pull in the clutch, all the while the bike is covering ground quickly and you are on a trajectory you didn't plan on. Factor in the rest of traffic and tell me that's not scary and it's just a quirky Ducati where stuff breaks or leaks. No thanks.

Bruder · Oct 11, 2014

If i take the issue lightly! I would not ride a Ducati anymore that it. But over the Last 18 years they make a really big improvement on the bikes quality I can tell you!

@NurseDaddy

If you take it not lightly, did you make an appointment with your dealer to check the ECU for faults?
That's the first thing you should do, most of the time to read out the ECU faults!

Gruss Steffen

Articrider · Oct 13, 2014

I ride a 2014 model. I never had any deceleration issues with the throttle, instead in my case during acceleration the bike wont move more than 4500 rpm. This is also a very serious safety issue, as i escaped narrowly from an accident. The remedy is; pull over, switch-off the engine, remove the key, then start over. First time Ducati said its just a matter of software update. But second time after 1 month the issue came again and that time, the bike wont even rev at start. Finally Ducati changed the throttle sensor and since then (500km and 3 weeks) all seems fine.

In my case, there was no rain or water services did. Here it will rain maximum for 5 to 10 days a year.

zippy49 · Oct 14, 2014

Lost in translation...have you washed your bike?

NurseDaddy · Oct 17, 2014

I wonder if it's the way the gas tank was filled. The other day I rode 151 miles on a tank of gas. I managed to fill it with 3.5 gallons, by doing the usual: fill it, rock it, watch the level go down, fill it some more, rock it, watch the level go down, and then when it won't drop any more because the air is burped out, fill it to the bottom of the filler neck.

I then went home and parked the bike in the driveway. When I went out a little while later, the bike would start, idle would slow, then it would shut off. Repeated that a couple of times. Took the key out and opened the gas cap. I heard a rush of air, like vacuum releasing. Fuel actually dribbled out of the gas cap itself. Put the cap back on and started and ran the bike with no issue.

Then this morning, engine braking was drastically slowed. Not absent as though I never let off the throttle, but revs dropping very slowly while underway, and then dropping a bit quicker with the clutch pulled in. This makes me think that canister for catching fuel vapor may have something to do with this recent behavior.

gatdammit · Oct 17, 2014

If you're talking about the emissions can, these were some of the common complaints I read on older/other models and why it was usually the first thing they removed.

Mine "fell off" during 600 mile service. I fill the way you describe every time.

NurseDaddy · Oct 17, 2014

gatdammit said:
If you're talking about the emissions can, these were some of the common complaints I read on older/other models and why it was usually the first thing they removed.

Mine "fell off" during 600 mile service. I fill the way you describe every time.

I wonder if that's what it is that's happening since that first morning's behavior that prompted my first post. I'm going to disconnect it and plug the hoses and see what happens.

NurseDaddy · Oct 18, 2014

UPDATE: Problem solved.

I had all kinds of wonky behavior on the way home from work yesterday. Random refusal to decelerate, blipping throttle would make the revs stay where I blipped them to, having to hit the engine kill switch, even limp mode where a 1/4 turn of throttle and 6000 RPM was the max. I was convinced it had to be the throttle by wire issue and that the only place I'd be riding to this weekend was the dealer. Nope Nope Nope.

I got home and started poking around on the bike. When I tapped the evap canister the tank would vent. I'd hear a Mooooo from the gas cap. The rest of the time it was building so much pressure in the fuel system that there'd be a rush of air when the gas cap was unsealed. Either negative or positive... not sure which, but the fuel system was being heavily impacted by a pressure problem. So this morning I performed a canisterectomy. Then I topped off the the tank and went for a ride.

I am happy to report that after riding the bike for 65 miles that there were no apparent issues with the fueling, in fact it was better than it's ever been... less surging and hunting around than before, much smoother, willing to rev and engine brake as it should. It does however randomly moo when parked. But that's fine. At least its venting.

One small victory.

kuksul08 · Oct 18, 2014

NurseDaddy said:
I had all kinds of wonky behavior on the way home from work yesterday. Random refusal to decelerate, blipping throttle would make the revs stay where I blipped them to, having to hit the engine kill switch, even limp mode where a 1/4 turn of throttle and 6000 RPM was the max. I was convinced it had to be the throttle by wire issue and that the only place I'd be riding to this weekend was the dealer. Nope Nope Nope.

I got home and started poking around on the bike. When I tapped the evap canister the tank would vent. I'd hear a Mooooo from the gas cap. The rest of the time it was building so much pressure in the fuel system that there'd be a rush of air when the gas cap was unsealed. Either negative or positive... not sure which, but the fuel system was being heavily impacted by a pressure problem. So this morning I performed a canisterectomy. Then I topped off the the tank and went for a ride.

I am happy to report that after riding the bike for 65 miles that there were no apparent issues with the fueling, in fact it was better than it's ever been... less surging and hunting around than before, much smoother, willing to rev and engine brake as it should. It does however randomly moo when parked. But that's fine. At least its venting.

One small victory.

Mine also moos, really often. It's incredibly annoying and stupid.

efc807 · Aug 9, 2020

NurseDaddy said:
UPDATE: Problem solved.

I had all kinds of wonky behavior on the way home from work yesterday. Random refusal to decelerate, blipping throttle would make the revs stay where I blipped them to, having to hit the engine kill switch, even limp mode where a 1/4 turn of throttle and 6000 RPM was the max. I was convinced it had to be the throttle by wire issue and that the only place I'd be riding to this weekend was the dealer. Nope Nope Nope.

I got home and started poking around on the bike. When I tapped the evap canister the tank would vent. I'd hear a Mooooo from the gas cap. The rest of the time it was building so much pressure in the fuel system that there'd be a rush of air when the gas cap was unsealed. Either negative or positive... not sure which, but the fuel system was being heavily impacted by a pressure problem. So this morning I performed a canisterectomy. Then I topped off the the tank and went for a ride.

I am happy to report that after riding the bike for 65 miles that there were no apparent issues with the fueling, in fact it was better than it's ever been... less surging and hunting around than before, much smoother, willing to rev and engine brake as it should. It does however randomly moo when parked. But that's fine. At least its venting.

One small victory.

I know this post of yours is old and you might not even have your hyperstrada any more but I experienced these exact symptoms. Question-after removal of canister did it ever act up again? l don’t think I’ve heard mine vent like I use to on my Monster which was canister free. Thanks for any input.

First sign of bad throttle behavior

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