What does the starter relay-cutoff do?

[Nimbus]

Hello folks, I need some help. My bike ran fine one day and then wouldn't start the next. It isn't the "hard start" situation as I've had that before to varying degrees and have been able to get it started with WOT. Currently my bike just cranks over. I had my battery load tested and they said to replace it so I did. As I mentioned, the bike will crank easily. After a bit of cranking (WOT, 1/4 throttle, etc) it smells like fuel.

I took off the starter relay cutoff and tested it per the manual and I don't read that it has any continuity. Is it possible for the starter relay cutoff to fail in such a way that it lets the starter turn but doesn't supply spark?

 

[Nimbus]

The answer to my own question is: no, the starter-cutoff didn't fail. Yamaha fails! In spite of a new battery, pulling the fuel pump fuse and clearing the "flooded" situation I may have caused by cranking, recharging the new battery after cranking and cranking, the bike still wouldn't start. So, it being what it is (POS), I figured that I'd try one more time 'to see' if it'd start. It had a few firings and finally coughed itself to life under WOT. That's the final straw. I'm done with Yamaha. Both my bikes' clutches rattle, neither bikes' thermostat keeps them warm below 50F, both CCT failed, both had horrible fuelling issues and both have required reflashes (well...the S10 was OK except for the power limit in gears 1-3 that was maddening), the S10 has repeatedly tried to kill me with the stupid 'high idle/low idle' runs 3500 rpms with no throttle input thing. My FZ-09's valves were super tight from the factory and on and on.... Thanks Yamaha, you make awesome products but they don't work like they should.

Anybody want a very well maintained S10 or FZ-09? Both for sale.

 

[Checkswrecks]

A lot of people have a problem or to with any vehicle, but your tale is strikingly different than most. It doesn't matter why you soured on th brand, I hope you find happiness with whatever you end up with.

 

[BadNews]

The odds of having issues with one Yamaha is pretty low, much less two at the same time. Sorry about the bad luck. I'm with CW, I hope you find a brand you can love.

I'm on my third Yamaha and will agree the Super Tenere has fueling issues that my first two Yamaha's didn't have. I had the ECU reflashed.

 

[Juan]

I think it is a very unfair assessment of Yamaha. I do not know of any brand that is perfect in all respects and gives absolutely no trouble over a period of time. I've owned Yamaha bikes for many years and can vouch that they are reliable machines if taken care of.

 

[RonH]

My first Yamaha was in 1971. I liked every Yamaha except a 1977 XT500 and a 1989 FJ1200. Those two pieces of junk were just that, but the others have been fabulous, most fabulous of all though is the super tenere.

 

[2daMax]

Sorry to hear about the problems u r facing. The high idle....it could be a plug coil being broken or rather corroded from water exposure. The right most plug wells are known to let in water. There r 2 orings per coil n these orings r not fully O. It was designed to evacuate air when the coils r pushed in. But it also let in water.

 

[Cycledude]

Very sorry to hear of your starting issues, did u buy the new improved more cranking amps battery ? what year and miles on your Tenere ?