Relays not working in severe cold weather?

Frozen fuel pump relay left me standing this morning

I had my fuel pump relay freeze up on me this morning although I didn't know it was the relay at the time. My sled started fine this morning in -25 C weather. I let it warm up and loaded it on the trailer. Drove for 1/2 h to a friends house. My sled started up no problem again. Backed it off the trailer and went inside while I waited for my buddy to get ready. When we went out to leave, I went to start my sled and all it would do was roll over. It wouldn't offer at all. We soon realized that the fuel pump wasn't pumping up when the key was turned on but the relay was still clicking so thought it must be something else. Pulled the sled back on the trailer by hand and headed home. I got in touch with my dealer in the afternoon and he said without a doubt, it must be the fuel relay freezing up. I took a hair drier out and gave it a few minutes of heat and the sled fired right up. He said while out on the trail as some of you have already mentioned that you can pop the relay and hold it in your hand or pocket for a few minutes and that will thaw it out enough to get going again. I think I will be carrying a spare just in case in the future. I'm just glad it didn't happen thirty miles back in the bush.
 
i am having a problem with my 2016 RS Venture today, in -20deg C (0 deg F), where instrument panel doesn't display anything when engine first starts up, until after 2-3 minutes of warm up. Engine starts fine - just no instruments or indicator lamps or anything on the display until the engine warms up for 3 minutes - then the display lights up like normal. Sounds like same kind of relay problem? Any idea where this relay is? What can i do to prevent the cold weather problem?
 
No problem. You are fine.
Have had it before on Yamahas when very cold out.
Built in thing to keep draw on battery down until things warm up.
 
Riceburner said:
No problem. You are fine.
Have had it before on Yamahas when very cold out.
Built in thing to keep draw on battery down until things warm up.
Click to expand...
Riceburner...so, that's supposed to work that way then?
 
Happened to me on both my venture and vector. It's the grease inside the relay that's the problem. It freezes in severe cold. You can easily start the sled by putting a hairdryer to them for a few minutes. The relays have been updated to a new part. They are about 15 bucks each and they are colored with red on them.
 
SAB1 said:
Happened to me on both my venture and vector. It's the grease inside the relay that's the problem. It freezes in severe cold. You can easily start the sled by putting a hairdryer to them for a few minutes. The relays have been updated to a new part. They are about 15 bucks each and they are colored with red on them.
Click to expand...
Sab1, do you know where these relays are on my 2016 Venture RS?
 
Hmmm. That was a couple sleds ago. On the vector they were on the low left side behind the side panel sitting just above the running board.. On the venture I believe they were on the right side behind the side panel but up much higher. They were easily accessible and easy to switch out. Take a look I believe there five of them all in a row and they are an inch square and black in color. Sorry I can't recall exact spot
 
Carry the disposable hand warmers with you in your sled. All you have to do is activate one and the place it over the relay with a glove or something over top of it and it warms the relay. Works great when they get froze.


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shagman said:
Carry the disposable hand warmers with you in your sled. All you have to do is activate one and the place it over the relay with a glove or something over top of it and it warms the relay. Works great when they get froze.


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Click to expand...
Shagman, that's a great idea! I gotta find where these relays are located. Do you know where they are on my 2016 RS Venture? Manual doesn't help.
 
Jimboat said:
Shagman, that's a great idea! I gotta find where these relays are located. Do you know where they are on my 2016 RS Venture? Manual doesn't help.
Click to expand...

I’m not sure. I haven’t looked around one of those sleds.


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Yamaha has replacement Relay for the fuel pump. ( Its Red.)
On a '10 Vector its the Second one from the fuel tank, there inside the left foot well, Test them by feeling them and cycling the switch.
I just ordered one and changed it out. It was less than $20
Dealer told me they change them on all their customers sleds when they are in for service.
 
Jimboat said:
Riceburner...so, that's supposed to work that way then?
Click to expand...

I can't say for sure.
That is what dealer told me and everything always lit up after a few minutes so I never worried about it again.
Probably a thread on it here somewhere from 12 to 14 years ago.
 
TRUE BLUE SINCE 1980 said:
Yamaha has replacement Relay for the fuel pump. ( Its Red.)
On a '10 Vector its the Second one from the fuel tank, there inside the left foot well, Test them by feeling them and cycling the switch.
I just ordered one and changed it out. It was less than $20
Dealer told me they change them on all their customers sleds when they are in for service.
Click to expand...

Didn't Yamaha update to the new red relay on the vectors & apex's from 2013 & up to 2018
 
Had my fuel pump relay freeze up a few years ago. It was first thing in the morning and cold out. Sled started but no gauges or headlights and ran horribly. I read about the relay problem in these forums so knew what to look for. Warmed it up in my arm pit for a 5 minutes,and reinstalled it. Fired right up with gauges and headlights working. Bought the new upgraded relay and have never had a problem since. The new relay is red and taller then the originals. About 25 dollars in Canada. I read somewhere that they were assembled in a high humidity environment (Japan?) and that's what causes them to freeze. Some guys drill a small hole, dry them out and seal the hole. Apparently this works as well but for 25 bucks I suggest just getting the new version.
 
CdnCat said:
Had my fuel pump relay freeze up a few years ago. It was first thing in the morning and cold out. Sled started but no gauges or headlights and ran horribly. I read about the relay problem in these forums so knew what to look for. Warmed it up in my arm pit for a 5 minutes,and reinstalled it. Fired right up with gauges and headlights working. Bought the new upgraded relay and have never had a problem since. The new relay is red and taller then the originals. About 25 dollars in Canada. I read somewhere that they were assembled in a high humidity environment (Japan?) and that's what causes them to freeze. Some guys drill a small hole, dry them out and seal the hole. Apparently this works as well but for 25 bucks I suggest just getting the new version.
Click to expand...

As far as the Red Relays go the 2014-2018 Vectors & Apex's come with the red relays & are mounted fullest from the tank. (outside relay)
 
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