1985 Yamaha 225DR Electric start issues

[fauscettc]

I am having difficulties diagnosing the a starting problem with my Tri-moto. I can pull-start within about 3 or 4 pulls and the three wheeler works fine. However, when I attempt to use the electric start, the starter winds strong, but will never start the engine. I have had this issue for a long time, but I am ready to get it fixed now. I installed a new battery last October, thinking that may resolve the problem, but it didn't. Recently I discovered that the choke plunger was froze in the carb. Yesterday, I freed the plunger and now it works properly. But, I still can't get the electric start to work. Any ideas?

[zppeacock]

I had a starter that would turn over the engine but it would never fire or start.

I purchased a used starter and it works perfect now.

[fauscettc]

I had someone re-build the starter, so he says, back when I replaced the battery last October. The starter seems strong. Could it be the coil, CDI box, ...? It seems like if the pull start works, the coil wouldn't be defective, but I could be wrong. I have no idea what the CDI does or how to test it.

[smvorndran]

I had 3 225's, 2 with reverse, one without. None of them started very easy with the starter. They'd fire right off with the pull starter. I think the Yamaha 225 was plagued with a poor starter design. My SX never fails.

smvorndran

[zppeacock]

Will it fire with one pull of the pullstart?

[fauscettc]

At times, it will start with one pull. I'd say about 70% of the time it only takes one pull. Only when its cold, it may take 3 - 4 pulls. Typically, I'll open the decompression valve, pull with left hand, and about 1/4 turn of throttle, and it will fire right up. By the way, I've owned this 225DR since about 1993. I have never had to use the choke to start it.

I did make a discovery this afternoon though. Even though the battery was brand new in 10/08, it appears that it may be weak. I charged the battery earlier today, and with a full charge, I used a battery tester/volt meter. When the volt meter was attached I had a full charge approx 12.5 volts. I added a load to the battery and the voltage dropped to about 9-10 volts, indicating a weak battery.

Coincidently, I had purchased another battery a couple of months ago, charged it, and volt test/load test.....Same Results! So, maybe both are defective batteries. If that is the case though, I wonder what type of ATV battery will work that will hold a strong charge??? These batteries were purchased from Advance Auto Parts and you fill them with sulfuric acid. Maybe I should buy a Sealed battery??? I just don't want to keep spending money on batteries that don't work. I called Advance to see if a warranty exists, but they said that it's only for 90 days.

[zppeacock]

Say with a fully charged batter, and the bike hot, will it start it with the starter?

Use your volt meter and ground the black end to the battery or bare metal, then where the cable attached to the starter put the red there then push the start button. You should get the batter voltage or a little less.

[fauscettc]

Don't know if the electric start will work after it's hot. I didn't get that far with it today.

You are right, by checking the voltage at the starter I can determine how many volts I am getting. But, what I am saying is that under a load condition, I have about a 2 volt drop, even with a fully charged battery. My experience with batteries (mainly in automotive applications, where an alternator is utilized) the alternator boosts the volts from 12 to about 14. A three wheeler doesn't have an alternator, so I am not quite sure what recharges the battery, unless it has an internal magneto that recharges it. Even if it does, it doesn't seem like 9-10 volts is enough to start a motor of that size. ----Which is probably why it's having a hard time cranking. I have a notion to hook a car battery to it, since it will hold a stronger charge for a longer period of time, and see what happens. If it starts immediately, I know it's the battery, if not, who knows???

[fauscettc]

Is there anything that is supposed to charge the battery? I hooked a voltage meter to the battery while it was running and I had only 12 volts. On a car, with an alternator that works properly, the voltage should be between 14-15 volts.

zppeacock,

I got about 10.5 volts at the starter when using the meter as you suggested. Any thoughts?

[Bryan Raffa]

I'm so glad you brought this up ..If I leave mine on the charger all night it will fire right up..and always on the first pull..I know I need a new battery, as mine is shot..but most of the ones I have seen all have had electric start issues..courious to what you find out ..I dont think they charge the battery..I will be also thinking of getting one of the battery tenders they have for motorcycles..http://www.pacificbattery.com/batterytender0123.html

its almost like they needed a bigger battery right from the get go.

[zppeacock]

mine seems to charge the batter and start fine off it. Though I start it cold with the pullstart because it's faster. But once it's warm it starts fine with the starter. I do have one of those battery tenders that I throw on it when I'm not riding it.

[zppeacock]

Is there anything that is supposed to charge the battery? I hooked a voltage meter to the battery while it was running and I had only 12 volts. On a car, with an alternator that works properly, the voltage should be between 14-15 volts.

zppeacock,

I got about 10.5 volts at the starter when using the meter as you suggested. Any thoughts?

When you had the bike running and the meter on it were you at idle? Try reving it up and see if the voltage increases.

How much load are you putting on the batter when you test it.


I believe that the stator charges the battery on the atvs/trikes. You could try jumping it with a car battery and see if it fires up.

[Erics350x]

The charging system doesn't put out no where near the power of a car system. Its more like 0.2-0.4. You will see a huge drop when under load. Try puttting a meter on at idle and then reving it at about 1/4-1/2 and see what kinda voltage change you get.

[fauscettc]

Problem SOLVED!

I was way in left field on this one! Although, it still doesn't really make sense to me, but here goes:

I decided to use an spiker/aeroator on my yard today. I attempted to Electric start, but it didn't work. So, one pull of the rope, and I was off. So, I pulled the spiker for about 30 minutes, got the 3-wheeler good and warm, then turned it off. I attempted to restart using the Electric Start... still didn't work.

I parked it in the garage. After I got off, I noticed smoke coming from the airbox/filter area under the seat. I had never noticed that before. So, I started inspecting the issue. What I discovered, I couldn't believe!

A mouse, chipmunk, or something, got in the air box and built a nest. The nest filled the entire airbox. The smoke was apparently that stuff burning. I have been running this thing for at least 2.5 years with all of that crap in the airbox. I still don't understand why it ran at all! Prior to the 2.5 years, I had it in a storage building that was deep within the woods. It was parked there for about 3 years. I didn't ride it during that 3 year period. So, I figure that's when the nest was created.

Still though, I don't understand why it ran fine using pull start. All I know is = It works great now! Electric start fires up within 3-5 rotations; and if it's hot, it fires on the first or second rotation. It apparently was lacking appropriate air/gas misture when ES was used.

I appreciate all who tried to help me on this issue. This issue also stumped a motorcycle mechanic! So, I don't feel too bad about not catching this sooner.

[zppeacock]

lol, Glad you got it running