Viper starter drive failure

[stingray719]

Had a no start situation this weekend, with only 785 miles on the XTX she left me left me stuck in the woods, and at the farthest point of our intended loop that day. A couples of miles on a tow rope to get out of the woods and $400 two hour flatbed drive back to the trailer.
Our family 07 phazer had the starter go bad after one ride.

Battery is good, solenoid functioning, starter just clicking.
Dropped off at dealer and hope I'll have it for next weekend. We still have snow, but the long days are eating the exposed trail surfaces up.

The past two rides I noticed the starting acting up. It would crank a few revolutions and then kick back with a metallic sound. This was a random occurrence and happened either hot or cold.

I never did like the idea of not having a pull starter.

Check youtube for the manual starting a Nytro with a strap. I have never done it but looks interesting.

 

[shagman]

Dealer here has seen several starters fail this year on any sled with 1049 motor. 1 was on a viper. has not figured out what is causing the problem. has also informed Yamaha.

 

[weasel33]

My friends starter went out on his 2012 vector with around 500 miles on it. It's not just the viper, it's the 1049 motor.

 

[Grimm]

It does sound like the starters are failing on the Vipers with a higher rate than the Nytros, despite the starters being identical. I feel the issue of warm starts and cold starts that riders are having is causing excessive stress on the starter and burning them out prematurely. Hopefully, Yamaha and Arctic Cat can figure this out for next year with fuel mapping.

 

[TJ-R]

Had a no start situation this weekend, with only 785 miles on the XTX she left me left me stuck in the woods, and at the farthest point of our intended loop that day. A couples of miles on a tow rope to get out of the woods and $400 two hour flatbed drive back to the trailer.
Our family 07 phazer had the starter go bad after one ride.

Battery is good, solenoid functioning, starter just clicking.
Dropped off at dealer and hope I'll have it for next weekend. We still have snow, but the long days are eating the exposed trail surfaces up.

The past two rides I noticed the starting acting up. It would crank a few revolutions and then kick back with a metallic sound. This was a random occurrence and happened either hot or cold.

I never did like the idea of not having a pull starter.

Check youtube for the manual starting a Nytro with a strap. I have never done it but looks interesting.

Good suggestion Sting, I found this one; both humor and a working solution if your stuck. I'll have to look for my old Renegade tool kit!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E3bUASfVCA

I feel the issue of warm starts and cold starts that riders are having is causing excessive stress on the starter and burning them out prematurely. Hopefully, Yamaha and Arctic Cat can figure this out for next year with fuel mapping.

I agree. The inconsistent starting and restarting conditions are putting undue stress on the start. However, the starter ought to be way tougher than to only last for a dozen rides.

Another thing I noticed and failed to share about my situation was that the engine could not be turned over clockwise by hand. You normally could rotate it either way, at least that is what I think I recall. If my recollection is right then I'd say my starter jammed up.

 

[cannondale27]

A jammed starter is possible. If starter goes I would highly advise getting the Starter Solenoid replaced at same time. The Solenoid is why the starter failed in most cases. They can stick on even with engine running.

 

[DeerHuntr]

FYI I am pretty sure I read on the Nytro forum that these engines should never be turned over the wrong way. Something about the tensioner on the timing chain I think?? Not 100% but I think I remember reading something about this.

 

[cannondale27]

Correct. I would only turn motor over counterclockwise. Good advise. It would normally go either way though. Best would be to take starter out and see if its locked up though.

 

[asrx600guy]

Think it might be sabotage in Japan? People get pissed when they see jobs going overseas like putting one of Yamaha's best engines in some "garbage American" Cat.