1. I was about to go for …
Recently, it has been raining on weekends and I haven’t had much opportunity to ride.
On this day, when I started the engine to ride in the sunshine…
“Kyu-ru…Kyu-ru…Kyu-ru…”
“The engine won’t start!”
(Here it comes, trouble!)
I’m disappointed even though I was just about to get on the moto.
If the engine doesn’t start, I can’t ride.
So, I will immediately check the cause of the problem.
In this time, I have summarized the following.
- Conditions when the engine does not start
- How to disconnect the battery
- How to check the battery
Date | 27th March 2021 |
Subjects | Maintenance, Failure, Repair |
Shop or DIY | DIY |
Difficulty | |
Working hours | 1 |
Costs | 0 Yen (Use of owned goods) |
Goods to use:
No. | Name | Manufacturer | Parts number | Quantity | Amount [Yen] |
1 | 9.5sq. Slide head handle | KTC | BHM3 | 1 | 2,700 |
2 | 9.5sq. Quick spinner | KTC | BE3-Q | 1 | 1,860 |
3 | 9.5sq. Extension bar (250mm) | KTC | BE20-250 | 1 | (2,530) |
4 | 9.5sq. Socket (Hexagonal) (10mm) | KTC | B3-10 | 1 | 800 |
5 | Digital Multimeter | Sanwa Electric Instrument | PM3 | 1 | 4,950 |
2. Engine does not start (STEP 1-13)
Engine does not start
First, let’s sort out the condition of the engine when it did not start.
- The fuel pump makes an operating noise.
- The meter unit works initially. (The tachometer comes and goes.)
- There is no sound of the cell motor turning. (It tries to turn but turns weakly.)
<Low battery indication>
Adapted from YAMAHA OWNER’S MANUAL 5D7-F8199-E6, 3-10>
If I looked closely, I could see ‘Low Battery’ indicator on the meter unit…
“Battery gone?”
Fault codes and indications 1
I tried it with more time, and it finally started on the third try.
However, the meter unit is displaying the following.
<Fault codes and indications 1>
○Er_1 42 and Er_3 42
I’m afraid that I don’t know what the fault code is.
Fault codes and indications 2
<Fault codes and indications 2>
○(Water temperature) HIGH TEMP
The water temperature never gets hot when the engine is not running.
So, it could be a computer malfunction.
I would first suspect and confirm that the battery is under-voltage.
Removing a seat
The battery is located under the seat, so first remove the seat.
<Removing a seat>
Insert the key, turn 90° clockwise and lift.
Check battery voltage
<Check battery voltage>
Check the battery voltage using a tester.
11.69 V is indicated.
This is low, but the voltage is higher than I thought.
For now, I decided to remove the battery and charge it.
Battery terminal disconnection 1
<Battery terminal disconnection 1>
Remove the minus terminal using a socket (10 mm), then the plus terminal in turn.
This time, I somehow used a socket, but is it common to use a Phillips screwdriver (No.2)?
(To prevent shorting, a screwdriver with a plastic handle is better, surely…)
Battery terminal disconnection 2
<Battery terminal disconnection 2>
Slide the removed terminals to the rear.
Battery disconnected 1
<Battery disconnected 1>
Remove the rubber band fixing the battery.
Pull the handle downwards to release the hooks and then pull it towards you.
Battery disconnected 2
<Battery disconnected 2>
Then the battery can be lifted off.
(It is narrow, so be careful not to rub your fingers on the tank cover or anything else to avoid peeling!)
Battery disconnected 3
<Battery disconnected 3>
But then, the drain hose on the right side got caught, so remove this one too.
The hose is just plugged in.
Battery fluid condition
<Battery fluid condition>
I was surprised when I disconnected the battery.
The amount of battery fluid in all cells was below the lower limit.
Extract from inspection record
<Extract from inspection record>
The inspection and maintenance record sent to me by the shop showed battery in the replacement parts column.
Why is the amount of battery fluid below the lower limit?
The battery fluid level was reduced in less than a month??
Next correspondence
The battery capacity is likely to be insufficient if the battery is recharged as it is.
So, the battery fluid is topped up.
Followed by maintenance record ‘Charging the battery’.
3. Summary
Things were going well until the delivery inspection, but not so well.
- Attention ‘Low battery’ is displayed on the meter unit.
- Incorrect fault code displayed.
- Weak around the cell motor
⇒Battery is suspect (perhaps not surprising…)