My 2007 xt225 is not starting with the handlebar button. It only produces a click at the solenoid. If I jump the terminals with a screwdriver it fires off.

Before I buy a new starter solenoid, is there anything else that could be causing the starter side of the solenoid not to fire? Click, click, click...no joy.

thanks,
John

Probably not...but worth a try, since it's simple.

When it's clicking, put it in gear and push it an INCH or so in order to slightly turn/rotate the starter motor. The thought being that a bad commutator surface may play into this.

But, like I say, doubtful.

Alexd

Thanks Alex,

I didn't know if the clutch, neutral and kickstand safeties can play a factor. Sounds like I just have a bad relay.

Also, I can buy this relay on ebay for $12, but boats.net sells for $69. They look like the exact same part. Whats up with that?

John

John - Small point, the XT225 doesn't have a starter solenoid but a starter relay. It allows the high current starter circuit to be controlled by lower current switches. But does nothing mechanically to engage the starter pinion.

I believe the safety switches in that circuit operate on the relay's coil. Breaking that circuit if a start command isn't appropriate. So the relay clicking rules out that aspect. This makes diagnosis much easier.

First check to see if you are getting 12 VDC at the starter motor connection when the relay clicks in. If so you have a dead spot on the starter motor commutator. If 12 VDC doesn't appear at the motor, you have several possibilities.

1) Bad starter relay.
2) Poor connection between starter relay and motor.
3) Poor connection between starter relay and battery.

If bridging the relay contacts at the relay starts the bike, then replace the relay.

As for pricing, cheap relays aren't made as well. And I doubt they will provide the service life of an OEM part. I would buy the OEM relay if faced with that repair. Just make sure you're getting an OEM part if you pay the bucks. Good luck.

Revivng old thread, but I am having the same problem. Starte intermittently, but now only clicks. Starts fine with jumping the terminals on the relay. I haven't looked to see how that relay comes out to replace. The whole assembly feels rubber mounted.

I do believe the relay is in rubber mounts with a spare blade fuse in there. The click is most likely the relay armature closing. No guarantee that the contacts are closing. A VOM or test light will help. Clip that on the +12V starter terminal and see if hitting the start button (w/click) shows power. If not, most likely bad contacts and/or connection. You'll need to trace that back towards the battery.

The other possibility is a dead spot on the starter motor's commutator. This causes intermittent loss of the motor depending on where it stops. Using a rubber mallet you can tap the motor's case to see if it starts. The mechanical bump sometimes gets the brushes to conduct. If this happens it's your starter motor.

It's a good idea to replace those parts as preventative maintenance. Especially if the bike is an older model. You'll find Yamaha parts, assemblies and diagrams HERE. Good luck.

Are you jumping the two large terminals on the relay, one from the battery+ terminal and the other that goes to the starter? If so, and that operates the starter and starts the engine, the relay is likely bad, unless you have a bad connection somewhere in the circuit TO the relay that is allowing some current through, enough to click the relay but not enough to close it. That is unlikely. If the battery has enough power to start the engine, it certainly has enough power to trip the relay.

Yes on jumping the 2 terminals on top of the relay. Bike starts right up when I do that, so riding without the right side cover for now.
I ordered a new OEM relay, so hopefully that fixes it.

If you get a click, usually battery duff or loose/corroded terminals. Start with the simple stuff, get the multimeter on the battery, ensure fully charged.

In this case, if there was a problem with the battery or battery connections, the engine would not start easily by jumping the two main terminals on the relay. The hot terminal on the relay connects directly to the positive post on the battery. The negative side uses the frame and engine as most of the circuit. The negative battery cable connects directly to the frame, and the negative side of the starter motor also connects to the engine/frame. All he is doing is bypassing the relay.