Sunday 6 April 2014

Yamaha R1 Starter Problems - Again! Won't start when hot

For the last couple of months, the r1 isn't starting the way it supposed to. The engine would turn over like twice and it would appear that the battery is dead. Being a bit lazy and looking for the easy fix, I thought it was the solenoid. Ordered that off ebay, installed it...same issue. Then I said, it's got to be the battery...ordered the battery, installed it....., nope, that wasn't it either.

A couple of weekends ago, I took out the R1 starter again, and if you've been following my previous blog posts, you know what a pain in the ass it is. Anyway. It appeared to be the starter brushes. Since I didn't have them on hand, I used some brushes from a big disc grinder that I have and filed them off to shape. I didn't think that it would be an issue, but the copper wire on those brushed are half the thickness of the original ones. Result: the R1 starts alright, however, not when the engine is warm. Cold start, no issue, hot start, just the same like before: woo-woo-woo and dead. So, I got it half fixed... Now I am on the look out for the brush kit for the R1 on ebay, but it's like $75... I think I will still try with other brushed from an electrical supply store, just try and find thicker copper wire brushes.

26 comments:

  1. I have the same problem. Bike starts good when cold but wont start when hot. Is it the starter??

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    1. Did you sort your problem out mate?

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    2. Yep, bought the brush kit, and its like new again

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  2. Also same problem. What was the issue? Did the brushes fix it?

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    1. Yes, buying the oem brush kit fixed the issue.

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    2. my r1 08 with new generator motor, new rectifier, new battery, new starter relay, when engine cold the starter motor working, started engine ok, but engine hot the starter motor can't rotate meanwhile the current was decreased and light on Odometer off. i bought the oem brush set and replaced on stater motor already, still won't start when hot, any suggestion please

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  3. Had the same issue and it was in fact the starter. Any easy way to tell is when you try to start it and it won't, touch the positive wire from the battery, see if it's getting hot, if it is, then it's definitely the starter drawing too much current as it tries to spin the engine because it is in fact faulty! And for whatever reason the heat amplifies the issue, and that's why it doesn't start when hot

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    1. I got the same problem cold start good warm no start but also I left it on thinking about charging the battery but in about 10 min turn off and won't start again help

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  4. I have a problem like that but when I changed the brush, the starter motor is spinning wrong way. How can I change the spinning way! Please help I'm I beginning in lifestyle R1. :)

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  5. My 2001 r1 is facing same issue and also my engine suddenly cuts of while ridding if I try to push start her engine missfires.once completely cooled it would start again.are these 2 issue connected anyhow?

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  7. 2010 R1 does the same thing. Has to be less than 175 degrees before it will start again.

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    1. I have an 09 R1 and after 230 degrees it wouldn’t start or crank for that matter push the start button and??? “NOTHING “!!! Plz tell me if you figured it out

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    2. You don't even hear a click? or do you hear your starter trying? If you don't hear anything at all, you can take a screwdriver and short the relay under your seat and see if at least your starter motor will turn. If if does, then you have to look why the starter relay isn't doing it's job. Give 12v power to the starter relay and see if it clicks, if not, then it's the starter relay, if it does click, could be that the contacts inside are bad (so that it doesn't give the power to the starter)

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  8. Here's my question... my r1 is a 2001 and it starts on a cold start but doesn't when I've rode for about 45 minutes... it turns over till the battery dies.... I've put the high test gas in it I've changed the plugs and the fuel pump... my brother Inlaw rode it and got it to start by leaning the bike pretty far over to the left which obviously is the clutch side and it'll start but struggles... can anyone give me something? It boggs down pretty well at full throttle if that tells you anything... no matter what gear I'm in

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  9. I'm having this same issue, anybody have a part number for the brushes?

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  10. Hi all I have a 2011 r1 and I'm having a nightmare starting when hot or cold have it on trickle charge when not in use so battery is charged but still get nothing, will jump start no problems but without it just clicks like battery is dead any help will be much appreciated

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    1. Hi, I would suspect the brushes. When it's hot the resistance is greater and less current from your battery can get through. Just get your starter out, as I've shown here.

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  11. I have a 2009 R1,cold startinv is a bitch,hot start no issue at all.Motor only has 21 000 kms on.Where do start looking???

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    1. Check your engine oil. how old is it?

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    2. I have the same problem, did you ever find out what was wrong?

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  12. I have an 06 r1. When it gets hot it tries to start but it's like it doesn't have enough power. Dash dims completely and the engine turns over maybe 2 or 3 revolutions. I've voltage drop tested the battery and everything is in order. New starter and starter relay as well. One things I've noticed is that when I hit the starter button it makes the fan come on even when the bike isn't hot enough for the fan to be on. Which makes me believe it has a power drainage or a short. But I don't know where to start testing. Any help would be appreciated.

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    1. Ya im having the same issue and im about to change the starter and did the relay already... im hoping a new starter fixes it. Ima be so upset if it dont. Just spent 5k on it? Electrical problems suck the most? Figures nobody replied to the one post we need lol

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  13. Check make sure everything is grounded

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