Yamaha TRX850 Enthusiasts Forum

ok, some of you might remember my last post where i explained that pressing the starter gave a clicking sound from under the seat and not a lot else?

We still have problems, maybe someone will be able to help!

the clicking/buzzing is the starter relay (/solenoid, call it what you will). so, im pressing the button, the starter relay is 'buzzing' and not a lot else happens. once in a blue moon it will turn over for 2 secs before reverting to the buzzing sound.
i go through the haynes manual 'checking the starter relay' and its checking out fine. the battery has plenty of charge too.

im thinking at this point it is either the starter motor itself or the lead between the relay and motor. it looks like an arse to feed the cable through to get the motor off though. does anyone have any other suggestions or, failing that, know how much a starter motor costs?

cheer again guys!

The lead can be disconnected from the starter motor if need be.

As the motor does turn over for a short while occasionally I would still go for the battery. I would only expect the solenoid to buzz or click if the battery is low. Have you tried jumping it from a car?

The starter motor drives a one way clutch, which could be jamming or have teeth missing at some point.

ive hooked the battery up to my optimate and its reading full charge.

ive got my fingers crossed its the starter motor and not the one-way clutch... that sounds expensive!

hmm well not really cos I've got a starter clutch sat in the garage!!

you can buy new brushes for the starter motor, so that may help.

there's normally a couple of starter motors on ebay.

hmmm, thats interesting. ill check out the motor and update this once done. cheers!

are you sure the cut-off relay is ok?

err.... and where might i find that little blighter?

under the seat next to the flasher relay. it's the larger of the 2.

pull it out and short out the 2 blue/white wires. this bypasses the cutoff relay, and if the bike starts ok shows this unit is breaking down.

i think it's unlikely to be the problem, but worth eliminating.

excellent, ill check it this week. simply a case of finding a dry evening that isnt dark by the time i get home!

if it turns out you need the starter clutch drop me a line

Have you tried bumping it in 5th gear? just a thought but it could just be sticking.

Dave E

Or the old trick, whack it with a lump of wood.

Dave E

slow codger wrote: Or the old trick, whack it with a lump of wood.

Dave E

Out of interest Dave,
1: where exactly would one "whack it"? and
2: is one required to use any specific wood size ?
3: I assume it is somewhere around the motorcycle that one is required to "whack"?

I only ask, just in case I need to do apply the same method.

Kidding

See Avatar, but don't hit it too hard!!

Dave E

I'm almost convinced that it's the battery. I've had a similar experience. I've had a battery on charge for a couple of days and it shows fully charged but once installed it winds over twice and then clicks. I figure it must have dropped a cell. Try as one of the other blokes suggested and jump it of another battery. Hopefully thats all it is, good luck.