2011 apex xtx cold start limitations and hand warmer failure

[henseljg2]

Well, spent last week up in Sudbury Ontario. (Which was awesome)

First morning -15F, started ok.

2nd morning -40F, wouldn't start even with a jump. Had to drag it to a local garage to heat up then fired right up.

3rd morning -20F, wouldn't start. Dragged it in front of my cummins exhaust for an hour then started with a jump.

So it seems like -15 F is the threshold for apex cold starts.

Also had a handwarmer quit at -25 F 100 miles out. First time ive seen this issue with yamahas. Bought a kimpex one at Royal distributors and taped it over the old grip and wired it straight to the factory lead. Still working on feeling in my left finger tips.

 

[sgauthier]

to prevent that problem when starting from happening again you need to replace the relay with the new updated red solid state, part #8GN-81950-00 or at least have a hair dryer running on them before you even try to fire it up, otherwise you flood it and it will never start. There are 3 that are the same by your left foot which i'm replacing all 3 to this new one, actually going to do that tonight and i'm also replacing my stock 200 CCA battery with a new 320 CCA battery. i was in North Bay last weekend as well and my 2011 wouldn't start either and that was the first time since I've owned it that it did that to me. i spent 2 hours taking it all apart and getting to the coils and spark plugs to get them dried off while running a hair dryer on the relays and the top of the motor to keep my hands warm and also to make all the wiring and any plastic pieces a little more pliable. i sprayed ether on the plugs to dry them off and also some down each cylinder once i had the plugs out. I then directed the hair dryer down each cylinder to dry them out. once i had it all back together it fired right up all day. same thing happened on Sunday morning and i had it inside my trailer, this time it only took me an hour and a half. didn't have any problems on Monday, it was warmer. i've never seen so many cars, trucks and sleds not start all in one area before. i didn't feel bad since it was not just my Apex not starting, it was some of every brand, 2 stroke and 4-stroke. My sons 2-stroke triples were a bear to start and i've owned SRX's for years, never experienced this with them. we had to remove the plugs, warm them up while we turned the motor over to loosen them it up, then they fired right up.

you would think since it is a 4 stroke that they would have a block heater on them just like a car or truck. we do use these in cold weather, duhhh. I'm going to add an inline heater next fall so that this never happens again. i will just need to carry a small extension cord with me.

Sorry but I've never had any problems with my hand warmers, (knock on wood) but i do blow a fuse once in a while for my heated shield.

 

[henseljg2]

Thanks for the info. I will look into that. I've already added my propane buddy heater to the travel list. That will heat up my 4 place and hopefully prevent this. Can't say enough about the First Nation locals who were incredibly helpful and welcoming.

13 Polaris 800 assault, 2 800 etecs wouldn't start either. It was insane cold up there. I broke the two nipples off my side panels trying to get them off.

Temperature like that exposes every weakness on your machine and your gear. Trails were sweet though!

 

[sgauthier]

you should be good after changing the relays. it is a known problem because they get moisture and freeze up. you only need to replace one but just to be on the safe side i'm replacing all 3. the apex's have had these stupid relays for years but the factory never installed them, but yet they have a solid state one to replace it. why not just install them in the first place to prevent this from happening, just plain stupid on Yamaha's part.

i was scared to snap those off as well, i heated the panel up with the hair dryer first and before reinstalling i sprayed some lube on the grommet to make it easier to remove. I also sprayed some lube on the outside of each coil pack to make it easier to remove/reinstall, those are a b$tch to pull out as well. Ya a heater in the trailer would have been really nice but even being out of the wind with the back door open facing the sun wasn't all too bad.

 

[BTbt]

Same issue a few years ago in Cochrane, -38, fuel pump relay froze.We got it going by putting my hand on the relays until it clicked in, sled fired right up after that. Updated relays no more problems.

 

[ApexM10]

Had same issue with red relays. When its that cold the battery freezes as well. Take a look at the Earthx lithium batteries. Good cold cranking amps and the battery warms up with current unlike the regular batteries. Now I'm boosting everyone else instead of them boosting me.

 

[northern srx]

You may wish to replace the "starter" relay as well (located beside the battery) as this little darling caused my no start issue last year. Changed the other 3 to the SS style, thought I was good but...

 

[henseljg2]

I had no indication of any relay issues. Starter relay and fuel pump relay both operated fine. Battery died pretty fast after cranking a bit. I even used my antigravity xp-10 jump pack thst I also used to jump start the cummins, to turn it over but just wouldn't fire.

 

[ranger1]

Got it going with a jump, ain't the relay. 40 farenheight = same celcius, too cold for the factory 14 series battery, get the bigger 320 cold cranking amp 20 series battery.

 

[maim]

Well, spent last week up in Sudbury Ontario. (Which was awesome)

First morning -15F, started ok.

2nd morning -40F, wouldn't start even with a jump. Had to drag it to a local garage to heat up then fired right up.

3rd morning -20F, wouldn't start. Dragged it in front of my cummins exhaust for an hour then started with a jump.

So it seems like -15 F is the threshold for apex cold starts.

Also had a handwarmer quit at -25 F 100 miles out. First time ive seen this issue with yamahas. Bought a kimpex one at Royal distributors and taped it over the old grip and wired it straight to the factory lead. Still working on feeling in my left finger tips.

probably saw you out on the trails then. that was the first time my apex would not start but 10 min on a battery charger and it was good to go but i had already left on et410 on saturday. sunday and monday it started well and got ridden with my neice and nephew with gf nephew. always has started at those temps before but i do cheat and turn the clutch over by hand 1st before cranking with the starter. i usually am one of the fools out at that temp as there are quite a few fair weather riders around here.

 

[henseljg2]

Awesome trails. The Wolf loop was my favorite. Rockys on the lake was a good place to stay minus the out house at sub zero temps.

 

[Phatboyc]

Had same issue with red relays.

This is the first time I read this about the red relays. How can a relay without moving parts not work in the cold?

You may wish to replace the "starter" relay as well (located beside the battery) as this little darling caused my no start issue last year. Changed the other 3 to the SS style, thought I was good but...

Can the starter relay be replace with a red relay? Port Yamaha originally said no point in changing other relays in the footwell because they don't prevent your sled to start. After its started with the heat and vibration they would unstuck if ever they froze. But the starter relay on the other hand needs to work obviously.

 

[Murse]

Apparently it has to do with moisture. I replaced with red relay after no fuel pump in the cold. Since I replaced no issues. ever.

 

[Murse]

I broke a hand warmer one time. I ordered an OEM kit from yamaha and replaced it as well as added a yamaheater. I've run yamaheater on my 2 apex's now and I've never had to wear mitts again.