Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Yamaha Tech
90 XT EAC Starting troubles 90 XT EAC Starting troubles
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 8 Jan 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10
90 XT EAC Starting troubles
After letting the bike sit for approx two weeks it was running fine. Occasionally the bike has a hard time getting going in the cold mornings so I need to jump it in order to not kill the battery dead trying to get to to start. However, not it seems I have busted the bike. My problem:

Whenever the battery is hooked up it sparks, and the starter cranks over and over again, even with the key out of the ignition, or with the key in the off position. I don't know what to do and the yamaha manual isn't much help as I only have a shitty voltmeter and don't understand electronic diagrams all that well. There is a wire running from the negative terminal of the battery, and it is cooked, the insulation has melted. The battery also all but boiled dry just cranking over and over again when I was trying to get the bike to die.

What I have done:

Replaced the battery
Cheked started regulator and it is working.

Any help or suggestions before I take it to the shop?

Thanks!

James
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 8 Jan 2009
bacardi23's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: XXX<-Portugal->Azores->Santa Maria (island)
Posts: 1,544
change the burned piece of wire if you can...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 8 Jan 2009
BlackDogZulu's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: West Wales, UK
Posts: 753
From your description, either a major short circuit somewhere, or a faulty ignition switch. I'd start by checking the wiring out. No need for any expertise - just dismantle enough to see every inch of every wire from front to back of the bike, and concentrating on wiring around and above the engine. If you can see any naked wires touching or shorting to the frame, there's your problem. It's a cheap and easy solution before you go throwing money at a mechanic.

And yes, replace the damaged wire. It's been subjected to a load it was never designed for.
__________________
2006 XT660R daily ride, 1994 XT600E about to be reborn, Blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 8 Jan 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Denmark
Posts: 1,417
Stop, it usually is real simple.

I'll bet it's the starter relay that has gone stuck. Sometimes you can just knok on it with a screwdriver and it will breake free. Mine did, and some buddys did as well. Do it while the battery is disconnected. Recharge your're battery, and you shold be game again.

Mine has worked fine after that.

I saw a guy on a forum having the same problem on his yamaha R1, so its okay that it happens for our "cheap" bikes i guess =)

Good luck.


With that said, how cold is "cold" for you?

The bike shoukld start fine even in cold weather, how thick is your're oil? try look for false air intake and such. My XT starts fine in -10 degrees celsius. (5W40 fullsynthetic oil)

Something sound wrong when its so hard to start, that you drain the battery. Start with checking the color of the sparkplug.



Cheers.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10 Jan 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: dublin
Posts: 101
Starter Relay!!
Hi,

What you describe happened to me 3 times already, I had a weak battery because I left the hot grip overnight, and even after recharging the battery it never fully recovered the starter relay was going and going...

I would simply change the starter relay and make sure the battery is fully charged before thinking starting the bike again
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10 Jan 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10
I am going to have to replace the starter relay becuase I have done everything else and it just doesn't seem to be working. I have to replace the wiring still and then possibly replace the battery as well. I am contemplating just ordering a new wiring loom and doing the whole thing becuase a lot of my connections are very old or broken and are limping along. I will also replace the sparkplug once I get everything ripped out!

Anyone know where I can order a wiring loom/starter relay to OEM without destroying my wallet? this is stateside as well FYI.

Thanks for all of the replies!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10 Jan 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 26
Don't buy a new relay yet! I agree with Jens. Disconnect the old relay. Clean up the connectors and give it a few firm taps with a screwdriver. The relay is just a switch. It's either on or off, yours is stuck on which is why your bikes trying to start even without a key in the ignition. A tap may well free it off. It often does.

I think you probably cooked your wiring and battery when you jumped it from the car.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11 Jan 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10
so I should definitely order a new wiring harness. I only ask becuase some of the plastic connectors are very worn and broken, so I might as well start replacing it now when the bike is all ripped apart.

Spark plug is definitely a go too then?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11 Jan 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10
Ok when I was searching again for any burnt up wiring i found out the the Ignition coil assembly and the spark plug cap had a bunch of corrosion in their connection, which might be another cause for bad spark? looking at the schematics i am not even sure if they are supposed to come apart, so any information would be helpful!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11 Jan 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10
Tapping the relay did the trick, but now I still have no spark so it must be something on the spark plug end. I don't have a nice enough voltmeter to test the spark plug cap and don't have a deep socket to remove the spark plug, which I hope is the problem. I will be running to the auto parts store tomorrow to buy a socket and a new plug to try that! Thanks for all the replies so far!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 11 Jan 2009
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: London,England
Posts: 358
Quote:
Originally Posted by jfarlin View Post
Tapping the relay did the trick, but now I still have no spark so it must be something on the spark plug end. I don't have a nice enough voltmeter to test the spark plug cap and don't have a deep socket to remove the spark plug, which I hope is the problem. I will be running to the auto parts store tomorrow to buy a socket and a new plug to try that! Thanks for all the replies so far!
If you remove the plug cap from thr HT lead (should just unscrew) you should see the wire core of the HT lead if not just cut a couple of mm of lead hold the lead so the core is a couple of mm from the engine and check for a spark when engine is turned over.
The plug caps do fail and are cheap enough so maybe get a spare and a new plug you may need the one day, To remove the plug I use a deep 18mm socket 3/8 drive and an extension.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 14 Jan 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10
Thanks for all of the replies, turns out the plug wasn't in the best condition, it was covered in like black soot, PLUS the connection between the cap and the wire going into it was filled with a copper-patina colored crust. cleaned it out, replaced the plug and my baby runs again! Now my only problem is that it seems starved, starts, but dies after sputtering for 20-30 seconds and seems to die waiting for stoplights, so I might have to search the forums for some answers!

once again thanks for all of the help!

James
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Troubles between Libya and Switzerland Ulrich North Africa 1 26 Jul 2008 13:34
Starting troubles Billy Jones Yamaha Tech 3 7 Aug 2007 10:45
Troubles in Nepal NamasteBuzz Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 9 30 Apr 2006 07:11
troubles in nepal janhonda Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 0 16 Oct 2005 18:35
Police Troubles in Argentina javkap Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 0 14 Nov 2004 08:25

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:03.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top