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Frozen Starter Solenoid

tomx

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We are having a lot colder winter than normal out here in the PacNW with temps staying low even in city at almost sea level, this has brought to light an interesting problem with my Nytro. Three times in the past two weeks my starter solenoid has frozen. I don't have a heated garage thus if temps don't get over 35 or so, my sled doesn't defrost after a good pow romping. That and while on road trip in Oregon over the holidays, my sled sat in the back of my truck for a few days in 0-8 degree temps.

Anyways, each time, same deal, turn the key, nothing, throws up some error code which is totally wrong (crankshaft position sensor). So then I pull the starter solenoid and replace with the nice warm one from my BC pack and she fires right up. It's a minor annoyance, but still an annoyance. Surprised that east coasters don't hit this all the time. Maybe everyone has a heated garage but me.

Anyone else see this? Any fix ideas minus just swapping it like I've been doing? Really it only takes like five minutes, but give my Cat friends five minutes to clown me and they'll brew up a sh-it-storm.
 
Get the sled thawed out and warmed up. Have you got di electric grease on every connection? I had one do it once and installed a new one and never had another issue....but I have a heated garage:face-icon-small-win
 
Had a stock nytro on a trip last weekend and it did it every morning (temps were -10/-15) It seemed to help if you try and start it and then hold the key in the crank position for 20-60 seconds. It always did start after messing with it. Eric
 
3 nytro mtx's showing the same symptoms

We have three 09 mtx'S doing the same thing. They were flawless last year, but now are showing varying degrees- one is a real pain. Have changed 2 batteries, cleaned all wire ends and still random clicks at starting especially when cold overnight. After they are warmed up, it seems to go away. When in a jam, I will jump across the 2 bolts/nuts on the solenoid while the key is on to get them started. (CAUTION- they will turn over Immediately) I always thought thats what the key was for. The heated shop overnight is not a cure all the time either--HOPEFULLY Yamaha will say whats going on pretty soon- I didn't pay the $$$$$ to look at them in the parking lot. ANY ideas would be greatly appreciated.
 
X2 on the dielectric grease.
Mine was acting up last spring, even above freezing temps. I found mine had some "bromofugian" (green corrosion) on the spade terminals. I think what was happening is moisture was wicking it's way down the terminals into the solenoid itself. Causing it to corrode the contacts inside, or in freezing temps causing the moisture trapped inside to freeze.
I replaced the starter solenoid (Yamaha calls it a relay). Then applied dielectric compound to the terminals and the top of the solenoid, to help repell water away from the terminals.
 
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Mine was acting up this year also. I covered it with a rubber boot made from a headlight seal off of a Yamaha Grizzly. The relay is poorly located on the Nytro allowing it to get wet then corrode or freeze. I have a 05 vector which runs basically the same relay but located in a dryer spot and it has never failed. If the boot doesn't work I'm going to relocate it.

If the relay fails on the trail you can jump across the two large posts (battery to starter) to start it. It might be a good idea to carry a short heavy gauge jumper wire in your tool kit.
 
Thanks for the info everyone. I'll try dielectric grease and wrapping it up. Another cold snap coming Sunday!
 
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