Ya Mahn
Veteran
I just got off the lake after a short drive. I was parking the sled and the engine began to labour then it started to backfire. The guages then went blank. I shut the engine off. There was nothing when I tried to start it again, like a dead battery. I found out that the starter enguaged had itself and melted the armature to the windings. My Yamaha dealer told me that they have only heard of this once before. It may be caused from a low battery charge causing the starter relay to arc closed. I tested the battery and it showed 330 CCA, which was good. Has anyone else come across anything like this? I just would not want to have this happen when I'm screeming down the lake!
LazyBastard
TY 4 Stroke God
I've heard of it a couple of times. Your starter solenoid went bad. Something I always do (on EVERY vehicle I own) is listen carefully to make sure that the starter is stopped after starting the engine. If you train yourself to be in tune with the sounds it makes, then its very easy to tell if the starter doesn't stop.
Friends Warrior did that last year. Those aren't cheap starters either!
Ya Mahn
Veteran
I would not think that the starter would be enguaged for two miles. You got the price right, expencive $490 cdn. Plus the $50 for the starter relay.
The other one your dealer talking about might be the one i have heard of locally. A month ago, as he said, ran for 50 km before figuring the starter was moaning... The sled never started again.
A low battery is not the cause for this; to the contrary. This is a sign of an under rated starter relay where the chattering caused primarely by back EMF would vaporize the silver/copper coating on the the relay contact. Once there is enought messed area, a good start current might fuse one contact relay which will stay close even if the signal is gone. That is the only explanation i can think of, provided with the little info we have. I will attempt to suck some from the local tech. at time.
A low battery is not the cause for this; to the contrary. This is a sign of an under rated starter relay where the chattering caused primarely by back EMF would vaporize the silver/copper coating on the the relay contact. Once there is enought messed area, a good start current might fuse one contact relay which will stay close even if the signal is gone. That is the only explanation i can think of, provided with the little info we have. I will attempt to suck some from the local tech. at time.
STAIN
Lifetime Member
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2004
- Messages
- 4,267
- Location
- Vermont
- Country
- USA
- Snowmobile
- 2022 SIDEWINDER LTX GT
- LOCATION
- Vermont
this happened to my 05 RX and it was my starter RELAY that stuck, repaired all under warrenty. I installed a small light next to my key that comes on when the relay closes and goes off when it opens insuring that this will never happen again, if the light stays on I can disconnect my battery or relay.
LazyBastard
TY 4 Stroke God
I once had an air conditioner with a sticky relay. Whenever it stuck, I gave it a sharp kick, and it always turned off. If the starter stays running, give the relay a whack and it should go off.
snowmotion
Expert
Where exactly is the relay I can see the starter
Where exactly is the relay I can see the starter but I am not sure where the relay is located
Where exactly is the relay I can see the starter but I am not sure where the relay is located
Ya Mahn
Veteran
The relay is located beside the battery on the left side of the sled, under the air box. I have ohmed the old relay and it was shorted. What an expensive lesson for a fifty dollar part! No way to see it comming. The light idea is great and I now have an led mounted to the relay.
