This is an archived version of the Road Star Clinic. The Road Star Clinic can now be found at www.roadstarclinic.com. Please join us there!

Road Star Forum
Welcome, Guest
Please Login or Register.    Lost Password?
Go to bottom Post Reply Favoured: 0
TOPIC: Re:Firing on one cylinder
#1023552
ctkog (User)
Expert Boarder
Posts: 523
graphgraph
User Offline Click here to see the profile of this user
Re:Firing on one cylinder 4 Months, 3 Weeks ago  
Paladin wrote:
Thanks, I suppose it could be that however, I already went through all of that prior to finally discovering the problem was the worn out/damaged lifter and cams. I went through the entire electrical system and even replaced the ignition module. Current starter solenoid has maybe 24 hours on it and all power/ground cables have been recently double checked. When I had the decomp solenoid out of the bike I cleaned it up and verified it's working and adjusted to where there's maybe a paper thin space between the plunger and the spoon. Thanks for the suggestions though and it never hurts to double check things.


Have you checked the kick stand kill switch? I've had them get gummy and stick before. Check to see if it's moving in and out freely. You can lube it up some and it should begin to function fine again.

If you heard the engine turn over when you tried to start it then everything in your starting system is generally functioning in order for that to happen (really including the kick stand switch)... insufficient CCA??, or decomp solenoid. They will both give you roughly the same outward symptoms.

You've put some miles on it since the cam was replaced so it doesn't sound like you left a wrench inside the engine or anything like that.
 
Logged Logged  
 

---------- NOTHING STRAIGHTENS MY HEAD OUT BETTER THAN AN ENTIRELY CROOKED ROAD-----------
  The administrator has disabled public write access.
#1023559
Paladin (User)
"Have Bike - Will Travel"
Junior Boarder
Posts: 106
graphgraph
User Offline Click here to see the profile of this user
Gender: Male cwayneb.com Location: Lexington, KY Birthdate: 1954-10-09
Re:Firing on one cylinder 4 Months, 3 Weeks ago  
No wrenches in there (hopefully)

I'll double check the kickstand switch but I haven't had any problems with it up to this point. When I tried to start it, the kickstand was down, it was in neutral, and the motor "moved" (odd sound). I say it that way because it sounded like the pistons moved about half a cylinder length without firing and then that was it. After that it didn't sound like the starter was even trying to move anything at all, just a click from the solenoid. Lights don't even dim like there's any drain on the battery when I hit the starter. Battery is 310 cca and is a brand new Yuasa (replaced about 5 weeks ago).

I'll start testing various things tomorrow and see what I can find. I didn't have time to do anything but roll it into the garage after this happened yesterday.
 
Logged Logged  
 
Last Edit: 2017/10/06 18:08 By Paladin.
 
  The administrator has disabled public write access.
#1023563
ctkog (User)
Expert Boarder
Posts: 523
graphgraph
User Offline Click here to see the profile of this user
Re:Firing on one cylinder 4 Months, 3 Weeks ago  
Paladin wrote:
No wrenches in there (hopefully)

I'll double check the kickstand switch but I haven't had any problems with it up to this point. When I tried to start it, the kickstand was down, it was in neutral, and the motor "moved" (odd sound). I say it that way because it sounded like the pistons moved about half a cylinder length without firing and then that was it. After that it didn't sound like the starter was even trying to move anything at all, just a click from the solenoid. Lights don't even dim like there's any drain on the battery when I hit the starter. Battery is 310 cca and is a brand new Yuasa (replaced about 5 weeks ago).

I'll start testing various things tomorrow and see what I can find. I didn't have time to do anything but roll it into the garage after this happened yesterday.


Yep you'll hear the faint noise (that odd sound) of the motor spinning for only a second if there's not enough power to overcome the internal resistance of the motor. When the piston almost reaches the top of it's compression stroke is when there is the most resistance and it will stop and not continue cranking if.... typically one of the below is going on. I realize you've checked most of these already. Have you done #4?

1) any one of the 5 Battery connections points are corroded or not tight
2) the battery is not strong enough. (new but needs charging?? some require an initial charging when new out of the box)
3) the decomp solenoid is not functioning correctly
4) or the starter brushes need cleaning or replacing

[re: No dimming of the headlight] My '08 it's wired so that the headlight is not in the loop until the motor is running. In other words when I turn the key to the on position, the gauges and fuel pump are activated but the headlight stays off. I crank the motor and it still stays off. When the motor is running it then comes on. That was a nice feature by Yamaha. I don't know if your year is the same way or not. Doesn't sound like it. That it's not dimming is not abnormal and is more likely a sign of good battery charge and the battery's low internal resistance being a new battery.

I would take the starter apart and inspect and clean the brushes and commutator if you haven't already.
 
Logged Logged  
 
Last Edit: 2017/10/06 20:31 By ctkog.
 

---------- NOTHING STRAIGHTENS MY HEAD OUT BETTER THAN AN ENTIRELY CROOKED ROAD-----------
  The administrator has disabled public write access.
#1023571
Paladin (User)
"Have Bike - Will Travel"
Junior Boarder
Posts: 106
graphgraph
User Offline Click here to see the profile of this user
Gender: Male cwayneb.com Location: Lexington, KY Birthdate: 1954-10-09
Re:Firing on one cylinder 4 Months, 3 Weeks ago  
No sound at all coming from the starter after whatever happened on Thursday. I had it apart a couple months ago, checked it, and cleaned it up even though it didn't need it. About 4 months ago I rebuilt it with a rebuild kit, cleaned the commutator, etc. I keep the battery on my trickle charger all the time when I''m not riding it (NOCO Genius charger). All the battery connections should be clean and tight, but I'll double check. Wasn't that long ago I cleaned them all and put a new light coat of dielectric grease on them to help keep them from oxidizing. I know the ground cable is good to go because I just double checked it last week.
Wish I could say Yamaha had done that headlight mod on mine, but no such luck. However back when I was trying to fix starting problems I installed a switch on it so that I could turn it off while starting to reduce the drain.
 
Logged Logged  
 
  The administrator has disabled public write access.
#1023574
SKWEARpeg (User)
Platinum Boarder
Posts: 12885
graphgraph
User Offline Click here to see the profile of this user
Gender: Male Location: Milton, Florida Birthdate: 1958-00-00
Re:Firing on one cylinder 4 Months, 2 Weeks ago  
Use your voltage tester, and check the battery voltage, when you push the start button. Or take it and have it load tested. If the battery has an internal problem, it'll show top off and charged, until you put it under a load.
It's pretty common on here to read where somebody started their bike, rode it somewhere and shut it off, and then it wouldn't do squat when they tried to return home. 90+ percent of the time, its simply a bad battery.
 
Logged Logged  
 
Last Edit: 2017/10/07 08:47 By SKWEARpeg.
 
  The administrator has disabled public write access.
#1023575
ctkog (User)
Expert Boarder
Posts: 523
graphgraph
User Offline Click here to see the profile of this user
Re:Firing on one cylinder 4 Months, 2 Weeks ago  
Paladin wrote:
No sound at all coming from the starter after whatever happened on Thursday. I had it apart a couple months ago, checked it, and cleaned it up even though it didn't need it. About 4 months ago I rebuilt it with a rebuild kit, cleaned the commutator, etc. I keep the battery on my trickle charger all the time when I''m not riding it (NOCO Genius charger). All the battery connections should be clean and tight, but I'll double check. Wasn't that long ago I cleaned them all and put a new light coat of dielectric grease on them to help keep them from oxidizing. I know the ground cable is good to go because I just double checked it last week.
Wish I could say Yamaha had done that headlight mod on mine, but no such luck. However back when I was trying to fix starting problems I installed a switch on it so that I could turn it off while starting to reduce the drain.


If battery checks out after trying what Skwearpeg says you could bench check your starter motor with 12v, and with an ohm meter see if you have any flat spots while rotating the little gear slowly.

Also check with the little cover off the decom solenoid when you start the bike to make sure that you see the spoon move out (get a visual of it activating - don't assume anything).

If you suspect something is binding in the r* motor itself you can always pull the spark plugs raise the back wheel and rotate the tire forward by hand with it in gear. You should have some resistance but no sticking points or binding.

Without being there it's hard to guess the problem with all that you've done to the bike so far.
 
Logged Logged  
 
Last Edit: 2017/10/07 11:03 By ctkog.
 

---------- NOTHING STRAIGHTENS MY HEAD OUT BETTER THAN AN ENTIRELY CROOKED ROAD-----------
  The administrator has disabled public write access.
#1023584
Paladin (User)
"Have Bike - Will Travel"
Junior Boarder
Posts: 106
graphgraph
User Offline Click here to see the profile of this user
Gender: Male cwayneb.com Location: Lexington, KY Birthdate: 1954-10-09
Re:Firing on one cylinder 4 Months, 2 Weeks ago  
Will do, thanks.
 
Logged Logged  
 
  The administrator has disabled public write access.
#1023593
davej (User)
Platinum Boarder
Posts: 18167
graphgraph
User Offline Click here to see the profile of this user
Gender: Male Location: Toledo Ohio Birthdate: 1957-00-00
Re:Firing on one cylinder 4 Months, 2 Weeks ago  
If you are gonna pull a spark plug just try to turn it over after you remove the plug. If it turns over you likely have an issue with the decomp solenoid. I'll also say that the voltage test are gonna be needed to see where you have voltage and where/if you don't.
 
Logged Logged  
 
dave
  The administrator has disabled public write access.
#1023595
ctkog (User)
Expert Boarder
Posts: 523
graphgraph
User Offline Click here to see the profile of this user
Re:Firing on one cylinder 4 Months, 2 Weeks ago  
davej wrote:
If you are gonna pull a spark plug just try to turn it over after you remove the plug. If it turns over you likely have an issue with the decomp solenoid. I'll also say that the voltage test are gonna be needed to see where you have voltage and where/if you don't.

Great idea dave. just turning it over much easier than what i suggested.

He'll know if his starter is working too.

You always simplify it for us.
 
Logged Logged  
 
Last Edit: 2017/10/07 15:17 By ctkog.
 

---------- NOTHING STRAIGHTENS MY HEAD OUT BETTER THAN AN ENTIRELY CROOKED ROAD-----------
  The administrator has disabled public write access.
#1023598
Paladin (User)
"Have Bike - Will Travel"
Junior Boarder
Posts: 106
graphgraph
User Offline Click here to see the profile of this user
Gender: Male cwayneb.com Location: Lexington, KY Birthdate: 1954-10-09
Re:Firing on one cylinder 4 Months, 2 Weeks ago  
On the road again....... Don't know what it was but I got it up and running again. I did every test everyone has mentioned and it passed all of them with flying colors. Even tried jumping it straight from the battery to the starter and nothing happened. I finally just took the starter off to see if it was bound up and it wasn't, it turned freely. Hooked it up direct to a spare battery I had and it worked fine. I went ahead and took it apart and cleaned it up real good anyway (even though I had just done that a few months ago and it wasn't dirty at all), put it back together, in the bike, and hit the starter button. Lo and behold it fired right up. Tried it several times and it worked fine each time. Took it for a little test ride, came back, shut it off, and started it back up, started just fine. It's a bit of a mystery as to what happened or why it happened all of a sudden like it did when it quit, but does seem like maybe it was something to do with the starter..... or maybe just a combination of everything. Anyway, thanks everyone for the help!
 
Logged Logged  
 
  The administrator has disabled public write access.
Go to top Post Reply
Powered by FireBoardget the latest posts directly to your desktop
...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... -->
New Forum Posts


The Road Star Clinic is a collaborative community of riders who archive and publish user contributed technical data about Yamaha Road Star motorcycles.

Copyright 2003-2007 Road Star Clinic and its respective authors.
<-- -->