Yamaha Warrior Electrical

[GrahamMalia]

Hello YFM350 forums!

I've had my Warrior for about a year and I love it. However, it's in pretty rough shape. I'm slowly but surely turning it into a decent machine. Redid all the brakes and calipers. New front and rear master cylinders, gonna redo the whole exhaust end to end, etc. However, there's one major problem with this machine. I got a great deal on it, but there are some serious electrical problems with it. When the guy sold it to me, he told me he had to bypass something (I cant remember what to save my life), and now it has to be started by touching two wires together. I switch the key on, and touch the wires together and it fires up without a problem. However, this means that none of the electronics work. No head or tail lights, the reverse and neutral lights don't work, the built in starter button does nothing, etc. When I first bought it, I figured I didn't need any of that stuff, and I don't really, but I'm just trying to get it closer and closer to a fully operational machine in case I ever intend on selling it.

What am I in for to get this thing working normally again? Simple fix or world of pain?

If you have any ideas, I would love to hear them, and don't hesitate to ask for more information.

Thanks!

 

[Warrior1996]

It sounds like you are bypassing the starter solenoid by touching the two wires together. Can you trace those two wires anywhere? I'm thinking they will be connected to the terminals on the solenoid. As for the other lights not working, it sounds like the harness has been cut else where. You need to get a multimeter and a wiring diagram and start checking all the lighting circuits.

 

[GrahamMalia]

If I remember correctly, one goes to the pos on the battery and the other goes directly to the starter.

 

[Warrior1996]

Oh sorry, you're bypassing the switch wire. By touching those two wires together you are basically hitting the start switch on the handle bars.

 

[GrahamMalia]

Ok, Ill look into that. But if hes connecting right onto the battery, then hes also bypassing the starter solenoid, right?

 

[Warrior1996]

Yes, he could be. It's hard to tell without seeing it in person. Most people bypass the starter solenoid by crossing the two terminals of the solenoid. However, it could be done with one lead at the battery and one at the starter as well, if I'm picturing this correctly. So yes, essentially removing the solenoid from the circuit. If you could, I'd connect everything like stock, and then troubleshoot the electrical. I bet the starter solenoid is bad and the PO didn't want to replace it.

 

[GrahamMalia]

Ok, thanks for the help. Does this explain why none of the handlebar controls do anything? Like the light switch doesnt do anything, and the kill switch on the handle bar doesnt work. It looks like this guy really screwed things up, and maybe I would be best off starting fresh with a replacement wiring harness used on ebay or something.

I'm also wondering what years warriors are compatible with each other in terms of electrical and wiring. I am not entirely sure what year this one is, but I believe it is either an early 1990s model or a 97/98. So if I end up buying parts on ebay I know what years to look for.

 

[Warrior1996]

Check the vin number on the frame. The tenth digit will give you the year. This is assuming you have the original wiring/motor to your frame. Some of the connectors on stuff like the CDI and stator can help identify the year it is as well.