Frozen starter

[RTX]

I have an 06 rtx and rode all last year with no starting issues.

I just started having a few problems with my starter freezing and not engaging the last few weekends.

Last weekend we rode friday with no issues. parked the sleds for the night. I went out sat morning to start the sled and all it would do is make a clicking noise at the starter. 4th time i turned the key the starter engaged and i was problem free for the day.
this weekend i rode all day friday with no issues. tried to start the sled sat morning and just clicking again. i boiled a pot of water and splashed the starter with it and it turned right over.

Anyone else having this problem??

I think snowdust is getting into my starter and freezing up over night.
anyone have any problems like this? What did you do to resolve it??

easy enough to get the sled started but i really hate the idea of dumping water on my starter every weekend.

 

[flyingpig]

Could you possibly have some loose connections on the battery posts or maybe somehow got some corrosion on the starter posts?

 

[RTX]

I guess anything could be possible. Once it started i didn't look at it again. kinda cold out -5.
I was just happy it started and didn't dig any deeper into it.

once i pulled the pannels off i could hear the starter clicking when i turned the key. it just would not engage.
once i poured a little hot water on it it started right up. no more issues.
I am thinking i am getting snow dust in the starter and it freezes up overnight.

 

[bashley]

No problems with the starter at any temp. The only thing that keeps freezing on me is the reverse linkage.

 

[ROCKERDAN]

i wouldnt put water on it...as it will freeze later...It sounds to me like the gear needs some lube on it,so it kicks over against other gear to engage it.

Im thinking the water freezing might be making this happen even moreso when it gets cold?..

these sleds under the hood are hot..so I dont see it freezing...I think it needs some lube possibly..but ive never looked into how they are setup yet.

keep us posted so others here can learn if you have a fix.

dan

 

[87gtNOS]

Hey, my steering is FREEZING up under there!!! I didn't have the black plastic panel on under the hood in the front storage area (bottle home!) and snow dust is going under there and making my steering real stiff!!

 

[RTX]

i wouldnt put water on it...as it will freeze later...It sounds to me like the gear needs some lube on it,so it kicks over against other gear to engage it.

Im thinking the water freezing might be making this happen even moreso when it gets cold?..

these sleds under the hood are hot..so I dont see it freezing...I think it needs some lube possibly..but ive never looked into how they are setup yet.

keep us posted so others here can learn if you have a fix.

dan

I never poured water on it till this weekend. Also, it only happens when it stays outside for the night. if i put it in the unheated garage it starts fine.
The first time it happened it straightened itself out. I turned the key a few times and all the sudden it started. This time i had no such luck and didn't have any other choices. we dont go riding with any girls so no hair dryers were available "LOL"
Being that it does get hot under the hood i figured the water i poured in would evaporate from the heat.

Obviously i dont like the idea of pouring water on the starter either, thats why i posted. I was hoping someone else was having this issue and they might have a better solution.
I am wondering about the lube/grease idea. i think i might give the dealer a call and see what he has to say, probably wasting my time going that route.

Anybody else have this happen

 

[BlueBlood]

bashley--my reverse froze on me this morning, sprayed some penetrating lube on linkage where it's supposed to slide, problem solved.

 

[Mikecam]

If you have power near by use a hair dryer just don't let the wife see you use it. LOL

 

[bashley]

Thanks BlueBlood,
I picked up some white lithium grease today and thought I'd give that a shot. If it don't help I'll try the spray.

 

[SharkAttak]

i'm be checking it, but haven't had a problem with mine so far

 

[rupprider]

Just a thought on the off/on starter problem. Wife's 1995 Toyota 4-runner with 95k miles had this problem. Trusted Toyata tech said that it was a typical symtom of a bad starter motor. So, if you rule out all other causes, have Yammie dealer check out the starter motor itself. May be under some kind of warrantee? FYI

 

[VT_BluYamaha54]

Have you tried another battery or connecting jumper cables from another sled? That might eliminate another source.
You could have a bad battery(?)

I'd have to be sure the click was from the starter motor/solenoid before condemning it. Does sound like possible high resistance problem at the starter or lack of amperage from battery to starter to allow starter to "kick"

Just a thought

 

[RTX]

Thanks for the input guys. I am positive the problem is not a bad battery or bad connection.
the battery has been maintained since new (last year) with a battery tender. the machine does not struggle at all to turn over.

When left out at night in below zero weather
it clicks at the starter like the solenoid is engaging but the starter gear is not engaging the flywheel.
The 2nd time this happened I tried to jump the sled with my car which made no difference at all.
I poured hot water on it and it started immediatly

My personal belief is the problem is in the starter itself. either it is sticking from a lack of lubrication or freezing from snow dust. Being that it only happens in below zero temps i am leaning more towards it is freezing.

I was kinda hoping someone here might be having a simalar issue so i could pick thier brain.

 

[VT_BluYamaha54]

I would still try connecting jumper cables the next time it happens - it can't hurt and can only help to rule stuff out.

Is it still under warranty? What does the dealer say?