VXR Warm Starting Issue

[kmaher]

Last year my wife's 2013 VXR started acting up. It would start fine cold, and it run like a champ. If we would find a spot to hang out for a while and she shut it off, it wouldn't even crank. The security light comes on, the dash displays, and there is a click from the starter solenoid, but voltage doesn't drop and it doesn't try to start.

I figured it was probably a starter solenoid, so I replaced that at the end of last season, and yesterday she took it out for the first time this season. Sure enough.....we stopped to hang out for a bit, and it wouldn't restart. I ended up towing it to the nearest ramp and we took my ski back to my truck. Then I drove to the ramp where I docked hers. I told her I'd put money on it starting right back up as soon as I got back to her ski since it would have cooled fully, and sure enough, it cranked right over.

I used an OEM started solenoid, so I doubt they sent me a bad one, and it's the exact same symptom as it had before. The starter doesn't "whir", so I really doubt it's the starter, unless they can work intermittently when warm.

I've looked at connections and can't find any bad grounds or anything.

Anyone ever experienced this before and have any thoughts for me? The entire "starts fine when cool" thing really baffles me.

[kmaher]

Uh-oh...no responses in over 24 hours....I was hoping there would be a flood of information from folks with a simple resolution as is the usual.

These starters can't really get heat soaked, right?
Or is there any thermal protection that would kick in? I can't think of anything to prevent the starter from cranking.

The other issue is it being intermittent and only when warm, it's not like I have the convenience of having my tools with me and a good spot to work when/if this happens. I couldn't even jump the solenoid since we were out on the lake, and knowing my luck, I'll be able to run it on the hose forever and won't be able to recreate the situation

[Mr. GP1800]

I would be looking at the starter

[seabrook]

Uh-oh...no responses in over 24 hours....I was hoping there would be a flood of information from folks with a simple resolution as is the usual.

These starters can't really get heat soaked, right?
Or is there any thermal protection that would kick in? I can't think of anything to prevent the starter from cranking.

The other issue is it being intermittent and only when warm, it's not like I have the convenience of having my tools with me and a good spot to work when/if this happens. I couldn't even jump the solenoid since we were out on the lake, and knowing my luck, I'll be able to run it on the hose forever and won't be able to recreate the situation

sorry would have commented already but my wife had my laptop watching sucsession and the fat girl / skinny guy with glasses show... anyway you do have a new battery right?

[seabrook]

oh btw i had the same issue and had to replace a 2 month old battery. Now i carry a rechargeable jump starter from amazon. also you could connect a dvm and see how much it droops on a warm start in the water

[kmaher]

Battery is brand new - it was the first suspect, followed by a bad connection somewhere.

I was worried starter was going to be the next suggestion....I've just never known them to really fail on these, especially in such a strange way, but anything is possible.

[seabrook]

Battery is brand new - it was the first suspect, followed by a bad connection somewhere.

I was worried starter was going to be the next suggestion....I've just never known them to really fail on these, especially in such a strange way, but anything is possible.

have you tested the battery, if so i apologize for asking

[seabrook]

Battery is brand new - it was the first suspect, followed by a bad connection somewhere.

I was worried starter was going to be the next suggestion....I've just never known them to really fail on these, especially in such a strange way, but anything is possible.

yes that's why i keep being annoying about the battery- had a friend that his starter was so rotten on a vx110 that the gear ring was gone but the starter still worked so the starters on these are pretty hardy

[changetires]

Did we ever find out what the culprit was?

[seabrook]

Did we ever find out what the culprit was?

my guess is the battery was bad and he never replied to help others

[kmaher]

Still working on this....no resolution. It is NOT a bad battery (that was the very first thing I checked and replaced)

Actually working with Yamaha on this - I am about to bite the bullet and order a new starter, but I really don't think that's the issue. I hate throwing parts at things and hoping it will resolve.

[kmaher]

After talking with Yamaha, they were stumped as well..

I ended up ordering all new leads and a starter. Through process of elimination I'll determine what item was the culprit and let everyone know. If it still happens after replacing solenoid, leads, AND starter I'll absolutely lose it!

[txgp1300r]

Please let us know what you find out....My GP1800 is doing the same thing ! cleaned injectors , new plugs , etc still hard to re-start unless I wait 20 min then it starts ok.

[K447]

....My GP1800 is doing the same thing … hard to re-start unless I wait 20 min then it starts ok.

See this thread

https://www.greenhulk.net/forum/personal-watercraft-performance-skis/yamaha-pwc-performance/yamaha-open-discussion/6161392-intermittent-hard-starts

[Racerx886]

Please let us know what you find out....My GP1800 is doing the same thing ! cleaned injectors , new plugs , etc still hard to re-start unless I wait 20 min then it starts ok.

I am having the same issue you are. I have a post for a 2017 that is hard to start when warm.