1990 Yamaha 115 starting problems

[Daewoo2]

The problem that I am having with my Yamaha is on cold starts. When you turn the key you can hear what I think is the starter engaging (click, click, click, click) and nothing happens. After a few trys the engine will fire up and run perfectly. Once the engine has started running it will fire up all day long without a hitch but when you let it sit overnight the same thing happens all over again. I thought that the battery was losing a charge when it sits for long periods of time. So today I went and bought a new Stowaway battery and installed it. The same thing happened but I only had to turn it over 2 times before it started up. Could the new battery not of had a full charge from sitting on the shelf?? If not then I wonder what the problem could be.

 

[ob]

Re: 1990 Yamaha 115 starting problems

daewoo2,Look for loose connections on key switch,possible faulty points on key switch,loose or corroded ignition wire connections on starter solenoid,loose or corroded large 12v cable to and from starter solenoid,and finally possible faulty solenoid.You can test solenoid next time motor sits overnight by jumping from the large 12v cable on solenoid to the ignition terminal on solenoid and see if motor turns over.BE CAREFUL around flywheel while performing test.Good luck.

 

[Solittle]

Re: 1990 Yamaha 115 starting problems

Are you using the choke when you try to start it?

 

[vinney]

Re: 1990 Yamaha 115 starting problems

WHERE THE CABLES COME OUT OF THE ENGINE AND MAKE THE TURN RIGHT OR LEFT. THE CABLES ROT OUT. WHEN TRYING TO CRANK THE ENGINE AND FEEL THE CABLE FOR HEAT. HEAT IS RESISTANCE. THE 12 VOLT CABLES. IF YOU HAVE A LOAD TESTER. LOAD THE SYSTEM FROM THE STARTER BACK. THEN LOAD TEST THE BATTERY. THERE SHOULD BE HALF VOLT DIFFERENCE. IF HIGHER YOU HAVE A BAD CONNECTION, BAD END, OR BAD CABLE. VINNEY

 

[Daewoo2]

Re: 1990 Yamaha 115 starting problems

OB I know where the starter is but I don't have a clue where the starter seleniod is located on the motor. Is the selenoid hard to replace I am new at this kind of thing and only have a general knowledge on these types of things. You guys are great on this forum and it is much appreciated

 

[ob]

Re: 1990 Yamaha 115 starting problems

daewoo, Trace the large 12v cable from the starter and it will lead you to the solenoid.Solenoid will have large 12v cable hooked to both sides.It will also have smaller 12v ignition wire.Perform test.If it checks out good starting by jumping solenoid that will rule out it and battery as culprit.Problem will then lie in ignition switch ,or wiring to or from switch to solenoid.Not sure on your motor but solenoid may be mounted to starter itself.

 

[vinney]

Re: 1990 Yamaha 115 starting problems

THERE ARE THREE SOLENOIDS ON THIS ENGINE TWO FOR TRIM AND THE THIRD IS STARTER SOLENOID. IT IS THE BOTTOM SOLENOID OF THREE ON THE PORT SIDE. ITS NOT A COMMON FAILURE ON THE ENGINE. V

 

[Daewoo2]

Re: 1990 Yamaha 115 starting problems

Thanks Ob I jumped the selenoid and it engaged the starter. I sprayed contact cleaner inside the ignition switch and on all the contacts inside the console then tried to start the motor, it fired right up. It must have been corrosion in the ignition switch. I think the problem has been solved. You guys are the best. Thanks for all your help.<br /><br />Rob

 

[ob]

Re: 1990 Yamaha 115 starting problems

Daewoo2 ,Glad you got to problem root.Happy motoring.

 

[sloopy]

Re: 1990 Yamaha 115 starting problems

remember to put vasoline on it so you can never have that problem again

 

[Daewoo2]

Re: 1990 Yamaha 115 starting problems

Well guys it seems that the problem has popped back up again. Very frustrating. I have now tested the volt reading on the ignition wire and this is what we came up with. On the first turn of the key it read 1 volt, the second turn 3 volts third try 5 volts finally on the fourth try 12 volts were sent and the motor fired up and ran fine. A new key switch is 150 bucks from Yamaha and I'm not sure if it is the switch or the ignition wire. How can I test to see if which one it is. Maybe it is a ground wire but I don't know where it is.

 

[Daewoo2]

Re: 1990 Yamaha 115 starting problems

My ignition wire is soddered to the starter selenoid how can I replace the ignition wire without damaging the selenoid

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: 1990 Yamaha 115 starting problems

No its not, follow the brown wire and you will see the bullet connector. Just unplug it. That is unless someone has been in there before you and screwed things up.

 

[Daewoo2]

Re: 1990 Yamaha 115 starting problems

Thanks Ken how can I test to see if the Key Switch or the ignition wire is the problem

 

[ob]

Re: 1990 Yamaha 115 starting problems

Daewoo, On your above post you just did.If your voltage changed with each application of the ignition switch,sounds like the contacts are not making clean contact until it is repeatedly applied.Don't feel left out,i just spent 207 bucks on a voltage regulator/rectifier.