Having starting issues

[mike3770]

Well i bought a 04 YFZ last night. I got it for a good deal $4000, its in mint condition, elks suspension, ac nerfs, bumper, skidplates, fasst bars, K&N airfilter and Big Gun full exhaust. But im having some trouble now, i went out to my shed and fired it up. It warmed up for like 5 min and died so figured it was because of the cold weather, its between 20-40 degrees. I went to start it back up and it started to turn over then it seemed like the battery started to drain and it wouldnt turn over. I let it sit and tried again, it seemed to have more juice but still didnt have enough to turn it over then it just stoped and i heard clicking comin from soemwhere near the battery. I mean the guy had it sitting from march until thanksgiving and then from thanksgiving until last night when i bought it. Could it be the cold weather? Or is my battery dead and i just have to buy a new battery? Another question, should i re-jet it for this cold weather? I live at around 1000 feet above sea level. thanks

[Splatter Matter]

first get the battery charged up then try this.

Unique Charging System Characteristics - Yfz450
The YFZ450 Charging System is designed to
supply at low to medium engine rpm a maximum
charging rate with the headlights in the
ON position. Under some conditions (e.g., low
speed with cooling fan running frequently or
continuous high rpm riding), it may be necessary
to ride with the headlights in the ON position
continuously to maintain a fully charged
battery.
If a customer complains of the battery discharging
while riding, first check the condition
of the battery.
NOTE: If improperly charged or boost charged,
these compact batteries could overheat and
become permanently damaged. To prevent
overheating, charge the battery using a low
output charger (e.g., Optimate III, ACCOPTIM-
AT-E3), and test the battery to make
sure it is in good condition. Next, Check the
output of the charging system.
To avoid mis-diagnosis, follow these procedures
and specifications in the order below:
1. Minimum key off (battery voltage must be
12.80 VDC).
• Voltage too low: recharge and load test
the battery.
2. Measure the battery voltage at idle. *It
should be 14.0 ~ 14.9 VDC before the cooling
fan starts to cycle ON and OFF.
• Voltage too low: check the stator coil
resistance. The correct specifications
are:
– Yellow to Ground = 0.22 ~ 0.60 ohms
– White to Ground = 0.29 ~ 0.84 ohms
– Out of Spec: replace stator assembly
• Voltage is too high: check wire continuity
(particularly the black wire which
should have continuity between the
Ground). The Yellow/Red wire should
have continuity between the lighting
coil and the regulator.
NOTE: If continuity checks good, replace the
regulator assembly. (Commonly, both headlights
are burned if the regulator has failed.)
• Voltage Okay:
–
–
–
NOTE: Do not check the battery voltage at
5000 rpm as explained in the Service Manual.
Charging output will decrease as rpm increases.
This is a normal characteristic of this
model.
*Since the system normally discharges anytime
the cooling fan is ON, all testing must be
done before the fan starts to cycle on and off.
Otherwise, the maximum measurable battery
voltage will be lower than 14.0 VDC.
SUBJECTS: 1. Unique Charging System Characteristics - YFZ450
2. Introducing YFZ450 Charging System Resistor Kit -
Resistor Kit for Competition Usage
3. YFZ450 Resistor Kit Installation Instructions

Check the radiator for blockage and
correct as required.
Advise the customer to use the key
switch to turn the engine off. Only
use the engine switch (on the handle
bar) in an emergency.
Advise the customer to switch the
headlights ON to increase the charging
output.
Introducing YFZ450 Charging System Resistor Kit -
Resistor Kit for Competition Usage
Symptom:
As explained in the previous subject (page 1),
the YFZ450 Charging System is designed to
supply at low to medium engine rpm a maximum
charging rate with the headlights
switched to the ON position. If the headlights
are removed for competition use, the unit may
experience battery discharging.
Remedy:
Install the YFZ450 Resistor Kit. The kit contains
a ceramic resistor which takes the place
of the headlights to maximize the charging
rate, plus it provides a higher temperature fan
thermoswitch to minimize current draw. The switch is
located sitting on the bike the upper right switch
NOTE: This higher temperature is still low
enough to not cause engine overheating.
The kit is optional for competition use and warranty
does not apply. The kit was developed to
allow maximum charging and reduce battery
load.

[Quad18star]

It's your battery .. it's dead . Mine did the exact same thing the night I bought it and get it home from the dealership ... and then had issues twice after that . What I suggest , is that you get what's called a Battery Tender . It'll charge the battery correctly and keep the Battery Tender hooked up when you're not riding .

Here's another thing ... always run the YFZ with the lights on .... it's a known problem with the YFZ and a common quick fix is to run the lights in the ON position .

Hope this helped .

[mike3770]

yeah it did thanks guys, should i buy the resister kit with a new battery? Or just buy a new battery and keep my lights on and see what happens?

[Quad18star]

Originally posted by mike3770
yeah it did thanks guys, should i buy the resister kit with a new battery? Or just buy a new battery and keep my lights on and see what happens?

My buddy has the resistor kit cuz he races MX ... he hasn't had a problem . I've been running with my lights on , and I haven't had another problem since . It's your choice I guess.

[bullet3z]

Get the Battery Tender and charge the battery. There is no need to get a new one. Or just push start it and it will charge back up.


Here I made it easy for you.
http://batterytender.com/default.php?cPath=11

I love my Tender, it works great and it's pretty fast at charging.

[mike3770]

Ok so when im not riding i just hook the battery tenter to my battery? and its been between 20-40 degrees latly, what should i do so my battery stays good and my quad starts up quick?

[Quad18star]

Originally posted by mike3770
Ok so when im not riding i just hook the battery tenter to my battery? and its been between 20-40 degrees latly, what should i do so my battery stays good and my quad starts up quick?

Ya hook it up to the Tender when you're not riding . The battery tender will automatically turn itself down when the battery is fully charged so that it doesn't overcharge ... it'll also kick in when the battery is low .

As for the temps , my YFZ sits in a cold garage every winter . We've had cold temps ( below freezing) since the end of October and I haven't had any types of problems ( knock on wood) . If you're finding you're having problems starting in cold weather , maybe invest in a small plug in heater and point it towards the engine area . Other than that ... full choke , 3 or 4 pumps of the throttle and push the magic button . It may take a little bit to get it going though .

[bullet3z]

The Tender will come with 2 sets of clips for your battery. 1 set you can mount on there for good and you will only have to plug it in to the Tender when you are finished for the day. The 2nd set is a alligator clamp, you just clamp them on for it to charge. They are colored coated so it is not hard to figure out what goes where.

The Tender can not over charge you battery, it will shut off first.

[fitethesystom]

The clicking you are hearing is indicating your battery is too weak to turn the starter. Charge it slowely in 2 amp mode, as this is a better more thorough charge. If the battery does not work after that, your battery is shot. Typically a battery that sit's uncharged or un-used for long periods of time lose their ability to hold a good charge, and trust me, you dont want a bad battery on these things.

Mike,

[fitethesystom]

BATTERY TENDER????????

What the?????

Some sort of itty bitty battery charger???

Mike,

[bullet3z]

Originally posted by bullet3z
Get the Battery Tender and charge the battery. There is no need to get a new one. Or just push start it and it will charge back up.


Here I made it easy for you.
http://batterytender.com/default.php?cPath=11

I love my Tender, it works great and it's pretty fast at charging.

Follow the link above, the Battery Tender is a battery charger for bikes, quads, cars and boats. Try reading everything on the above link.

[fitethesystom]

I use a 12V 2A charger on my 400. works like a dream.

mikey

[hartnett18]

so if you take the lights off the bike keep the light switch on at all times and you will be ok with out the kit is that what you are sayin?

[hartnett18]

so if you take off your lights just keep the swicth on and you will be ok is that what your sayin?

[fmfracing5]

you got to have your quad in a warm place if it has a battery or the cold will drain the power of battery causing it not to start, but if you did have it in a warm place i dont know what to tell you besides recharge it with a battery charger