Click, click, click while trying to crank? (08Vector)

[Irv]

I've read quite a few posts prior to this one and it seems like it can be a problem once in a while.

Mine just did this, again, where I turn the key but get nothing. It initially fired and ran great then I shut the sled off once warm. Jockeying the sled around in the garage, I retried it and all I got was clicks for 4-5 times then it started.
Tried it an bunch of times after and started each and every time.

My question is, since my sled has seen minimal riding the last few years, could this be the cause of it? Just sitting around in storage without being started? (I fog my sleds and removing the battery in the summer)

I recently purchased a new battery but scuffed up the connections/posts then applied dielectric grease before tightening everything up. Possible issue here?

I am hoping to ride tomorrow (all loaded up) but I am a bit nervous about my sled not starting while out on the trails somewhere? I will be riding solo so this is even more nerve racking.

Any help and/or opinions would be appreciated.

 

[Irv]

I posted this in the General section as well.

I've read quite a few posts prior to this one and it seems like it can be a problem once in a while.

Mine just did this, again, where I turn the key but get nothing. It initially fired and ran great then I shut the sled off once warm. Jockeying the sled around in the garage, I retried it and all I got was clicks for 4-5 times then it started.
Tried it an bunch of times after and started each and every time.

My question is, since my sled has seen minimal riding the last few years, could this be the cause of it? Just sitting around in storage without being started? (I fog my sleds and removing the battery in the summer)

I recently purchased a new battery but scuffed up the connections/posts then applied dielectric grease before tightening everything up. Possible issue here?

I am hoping to ride tomorrow (all loaded up) but I am a bit nervous about my sled not starting while out on the trails somewhere? I will be riding solo so this is even more nerve racking.

Any help and/or opinions would be appreciated.

 

[yamahinn03]

Starter relay needs to be replaced!!

 

[theCATman]

What year is your Vector again?

Have you updated to the new style relays?

 

[Irv]

Starter relay needs to be replaced!!

I'm not an electrical guy, at all, but if it were the starter relay, would I still be getting the click? The click tells me the relay is activating/working but that is only an assumption?

 

[Irv]

What year is your Vector again?

Have you updated to the new style relays?

08, Catman. I doubt these have ever been done as I've owned the sled since 2010 and I have never personally changed them. As I wrote in the General section, would I still be hearing a click if the relay(s) were bad? Can they be intermittent like that where they work sometimes instead of all times?

 

[steiner]

First of all get rid of the dielectric grease on your battery terminals.
It could be a bad relay. It can click but if the contacts are dirty no power will be transferred to the starter.
To me it sounds like the starter. Same thing happened to me on my Attak. Had to hit the starter with a screwdriver while holding the key it the crank position to start the sled.

 

[theCATman]

08, Catman. I doubt these have ever been done as I've owned the sled since 2010 and I have never personally changed them. As I wrote in the General section, would I still be hearing a click if the relay(s) were bad? Can they be intermittent like that where they work sometimes instead of all times?

That's exactly what a relay will do. If the contacts are corroded and or electrically carboned up, it may work just fine 100 times, and time 101 it'll click click click, and 102 it'll work fine again.

I'd start by replacing them with the new red solid state ones. Especially the starter relay.

I had to ask what year, because the EFI sleds were known to have fuel pump relay problems. My 1st Apex had the pump relay freeze up once. Turned the key and heard rapid clicking.

 

[Irv]

First of all get rid of the dielectric grease on your battery terminals.
It could be a bad relay. It can click but if the contacts are dirty no power will be transferred to the starter.
To me it sounds like the starter. Same thing happened to me on my Attak. Had to hit the starter with a screwdriver while holding the key it the crank position to start the sled.

Why get rid of the dielectric? Can make for a crappy connection? These relays, are they behind the primary clutch or located somewhere else on my sled? I don't believe I have ever had them apart before but I have put dielectric grease in all sorts of connections within the first couple years of owning it and not once, until now, have I had a problem.
Curious what your thoughts are on just my sled sitting for so long in the damp, humid conditions? This was the 1st year I store it elsewhere other than my garage and I did find some moldy spots on my seat and cover when I got it out of storage.
Thanks

 

[Irv]

That's exactly what a relay will do. If the contacts are corroded and or electrically carboned up, it may work just fine 100 times, and time 101 it'll click click click, and 102 it'll work fine again.

I'd start by replacing them with the new red solid state ones. Especially the starter relay.

I had to ask what year, because the EFI sleds were known to have fuel pump relay problems. My 1st Apex had the pump relay freeze up once. Turned the key and heard rapid clicking.

Thanks Catman. That is good to know. Are these relays located behind my primary clutch or somewhere else? Is it a possibility, due to lack of use, storage issues in the damp, humid, hot weather, that this could also be a problem?

 

[theCATman]

Behind secondary clutch. Above left footwell.

I can't tell you which ones are which. You'll hafta look up a schematic.

And yeah, damp storage conditions certainly will accelerate any corrosion.

 

[steiner]

I shared this on another post about dielectric.
The dielectric is a great insulator for electrical as I have found out. Daughter's car died 30 miles from home after I just installed a new battery. I coated the terminals and clamps with dielectric grease. This prevented a good connection between the terminals and clamps. Cleaned off the dielectric grease and she was good to go. I now go back to grandpa's way and use plain old gun grease to protect electrical connections from the elements.

As far as storage , humidity is a killer for starters and other bare metals used in electrical devices. Its amazing how fast a car can deteriorate when parked for an extended time.
Your starter may have a rust build on it and may clear itself the more you start or it could have lost a magnet or a dead winding.
How does it sound during cranking? Normal or is it labouring?

 

[Irv]

Behind secondary clutch. Above left footwell.

I can't tell you which ones are which. You'll hafta look up a schematic.

And yeah, damp storage conditions certainly will accelerate any corrosion.

Thanks Catman. I'll try to locate them and may pull them apart to have a look see. I still think I am going to chance a ride tomorrow but I am going to hang tough around the clubhouse first to make sure it starts a bunch of times before venturing to far. I assume some schematics are available on here or will these be shown in my service manual?

 

[Irv]

I shared this on another post about dielectric.
The dielectric is a great insulator for electrical as I have found out. Daughter's car died 30 miles from home after I just installed a new battery. I coated the terminals and clamps with dielectric grease. This prevented a good connection between the terminals and clamps. Cleaned off the dielectric grease and she was good to go. I now go back to grandpa's way and use plain old gun grease to protect electrical connections from the elements.

As far as storage , humidity is a killer for starters and other bare metals used in electrical devices. Its amazing how fast a car can deteriorate when parked for an extended time.
Your starter may have a rust build on it and may clear itself the more you start or it could have lost a magnet or a dead winding.
How does it sound during cranking? Normal or is it laboring?

Interesting about the dielectric. I actually thought it protected more and wasn't an hindrance to an electrical charge? When I started it this morning the 1st time, it fired right up easily. After the 3-5 clicks after I tried to restart it, it started right up again with no hint of anything struggling, imo.
Still think I am going to chance a ride tomorrow. I haven't been out yet but I will stick close to the C/H and try it a bunch of times before venturing too far.

I appreciate the info/help. Thank you!

 

[theCATman]

The starter relay is under the hood. Trace the positive battery cable towards the starter. It's inline between the two.