The yamaha big bear 400 is a popular all terrain vehicle that is known for its consistent reliability and durability.
Like all machines, it can experience issues like starting problems.
Starting problems can be frustrating and can prevent you from enjoying your ride.
There are several causes of yamaha big bear 400 starting problems which ranges from issues with the battery and starter solenoid to problems with the carburetor or fuel system.
In this guide, we will explore the various causes of starting problems in Yamaha Big Bear 400 and also provide great tips on how to prevent these issues from occurring.
Common Yamaha Big Bear Starting Problems
1) Engine Not Starting
Engine not starting is a problem a lot of yamaha big bear 400 ATV owners face.
It is a situation in which the engine does not crank or start at all when the starter button or ignition key is turned on.
Causes of Problem And Solution
a) Low battery voltage: If the battery is not providing enough voltage, the starter motor may not have enough power to easily turn the engine over at all.
A low battery voltage can cause a no start problem in a yamaha big bear 400 ATV.
This is because the battery supplies power to the starter motor that turns the engine over when the starter button or ignition key is engaged.
If the voltage of the battery is too low, the starter motor will not have enough power to turn the engine of the yamaha big bear.
This will result in stopping the engine from starting.
To solve this problem, you have to troubleshoot the battery charging system to make sure that it is not faulty.
Also check the health of the battery too to make sure that the battery is functioning well.
If the battery is damaged, make sure that you replace it with a new one.
b) Faulty starter motor: If the starter motor is faulty or damaged, it may not be able to turn the engine at all.
A faulty starter motor can cause a no start problem in a yamaha big bear 400 ATV because the starter motor is responsible for turning the engine during the starting process. If the starter motor is not functioning properly, it may not be able to turn the engine.
This will prevent the engine from starting.
When the starter button is pressed, the starter motor draws power from the battery to turn the engine.
If the starter motor is faulty, it may not be able to effectively utilize the battery’s power to turn the engine.
This can show up in a number of ways which include no noise or activity when the starter button is pressed,a grinding or clicking noise when the starter button is pressed, a slow or weak engine spin when the starter button is pressed.
c) Ignition system issues: Faulty ignition components such as the spark plugs or ignition coil can prevent the yamaha big bear engine from starting.
Ignition system issues can cause a no start problem in a yamaha big bear 400 ATV because the ignition system is responsible for providing the spark that ignites the fuel mixture in the combustion chamber during the starting process.
If the ignition system is not functioning properly, there may be no spark.
A weak spark can be generated when the ignition system is faulty.
This will prevent the engine from starting.
The ignition system consists of several components including the ignition coil, spark plug, spark plug wire, and the CDI (Capacitor Discharge Ignition) unit.
For proper ignition to occur, these parts have to be at a good performance level.
A malfunction in any of these components can cause a no start problem.
d) Fuel system issues: A clogged fuel filter, malfunctioning fuel pump or faulty carburetor can prevent the engine from receiving the proper amount of fuel to start.
Fuel system issues can cause a no start problem in a yamaha big bear 400.
This is because the fuel system is responsible for delivering fuel to the engine which is necessary for the combustion process to occur. If the fuel system is not functioning properly, there may not be enough fuel reaching the engine or the fuel may not be reaching the engine at all.
Due to this, the combustion chamber will not receive the optimum volume of fuel it needs to ignite and start the engine.
Due to this, the engine will not start.
e) Engine mechanical issues: If there is a mechanical problem with the engine such as a damaged piston or damaged camshaft, the engine may not be able to turn at all.
Engine mechanical issues can cause a no start problem in a yamaha big bear 400 because the engine needs to be in proper working condition to start and run.
If there are mechanical problems within the engine, the engine may not be able to start or it may start but quickly stall.
Some common engine mechanical issues that can cause a no start problem include:
Low compression: If the engine has low compression, it may not be able to generate enough pressure to ignite the fuel and start the engine.
Timing issues: If the timing is off, the spark may not be delivered at the right time, which can prevent the engine from starting.
Valve problems: If the valves are damaged or not functioning properly, they may not open and close at the right time which can prevent the engine from starting.
Broken or damaged parts: Broken or damaged engine parts such as pistons, connecting rods or camshafts can prevent the engine from starting.
Overheating: If the engine is overheating, it may be damaged and unable to start.
2) Hard start
Hard start is another common yamaha big bear 400 starting problem.
This refers to a situation where the engine cranks but does not start easily or it may take multiple attempts to get the engine started.
Causes Of Problem And Solution
a) Fuel system issues: One of the most common causes of hard starts in any automobile is a problem with the fuel system. In the yamaha big bear 400, this can include issues with the fuel pump, fuel filter, carburetor, or fuel lines.
A clogged or dirty fuel filter can restrict fuel flow and make it difficult to start the engine.
b) Battery issues: Another potential cause of hard start is a weak or dead battery.
If the battery is not providing enough power to turn the engine, the ATV may have trouble starting.
This can be particularly problematic in cold weather when the battery may be less effective.
c) Ignition system issues: The ignition system is responsible for providing the spark that ignites the fuel in the engine.
If there is a problem with any component of the ignition system such as the spark plugs, ignition coil or wiring, the engine may have trouble starting easily.
d) Compression issues: In order for an engine to start, it needs to have sufficient compression.
If there is a problem with the piston rings, valves or cylinder walls, this can result in reduced compression which will lead to difficulty in starting the engine.
e) Overheating: If the engine has overheated, it may be more difficult to start.
This can be caused by a variety of factors such as low coolant levels, a malfunctioning radiator fan or a blocked cooling system.
3) Clicking Sound
Clicking sound is another starting problem that can occur in a yamaha big bear 400.
Clicking sound is one of the problems that occur when you try to start yamaha big bear.
It is a situation in which you hear a clicking sound when you try to start the engine but the engine does not turn or start.
Causes Of Problem And Solution
a) Weak battery: If the battery is weak, it may not have enough power to turn the engine. When you try to start the ATV, you may hear a clicking sound instead of the engine turning. This is because the starter motor is not receiving enough power to function properly.
b) Faulty starter solenoid: The starter solenoid is responsible for engaging the starter motor when you turn the ignition key.
If the solenoid is faulty, it may not be able to send enough power to the starter motor to start the engine.
This can result in a clicking sound when you try to start the ATV.
c) Loose or corroded battery connections: If the battery connections are loose or corroded, they may not be able to deliver enough power to the starter motor.
This can cause a clicking sound when you try to start the ATV.
That is why you have to always check the battery connections and clean them if necessary to ensure a good electrical connection.
4) Engine Starts But Dies Immediately
This is a situation in which the engine starts when the start button or ignition key is turned on but immediately dies.
Causes Of Problem And Solution
a) Dirty carburetor: The carburetor is responsible for mixing fuel and air to create the proper air/fuel mixture for combustion.
If the carburetor is dirty or clogged, it may not be able to supply the engine with the proper volume of fuel which can cause the engine to stall.
A dirty carburetor can be cleaned or rebuilt to fix this problem.
b) Faulty fuel pump: The fuel pump is responsible for delivering fuel from the gas tank to the carburetor at the right pressure.
If the fuel pump is faulty, it may not be able to supply the carburetor with enough fuel which can cause the engine to stall.
A faulty fuel pump will need to be replaced.
c) Clogged fuel filter: The fuel filter is responsible for removing impurities from the fuel before it reaches the carburetor.
If the fuel filter is clogged, it can restrict fuel flow to the carburetor thereby causing the engine to stall.
The fuel filter will need to be replaced to correct this flaw..
d) Faulty ignition system: The ignition system is responsible for creating a spark to ignite the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.
If the ignition system is faulty, it may not be able to create a spark which can cause the engine to stall.
The ignition system may need to be replaced or repaired to solve this problem.
How To Prevent Yamaha Big Bear Starting problems
1) Keep the battery charged: A weak or dead battery is one of the most common causes of starting problems.
To prevent this, you have to make sure that you keep the battery optimally charged or get a replacement when the battery is faulty.
2) Use fresh fuel: Stale fuel can cause starting problems and can also cause damage to the carburetor.
That is why you have to make sure that you always use fresh fuel and avoid leaving a huge volume of fuel in the tank for extended periods of time without use.
3) Maintain the carburetor: The carburetor is an important component of the engine and can be easily clogged or damaged.
Regularly cleaning and maintaining the carburetor will go a long way in preventing starting problems when making use of the yamaha big bear.
4) Check the fuel filter: The fuel filter is responsible for removing dirt and impurities from the fuel before it reaches the carburetor.
A clogged fuel filter can cause starting problems by restricting the volume of fuel that flows out.
That is why it is very important to check and replace the fuel filter regularly.
5) Inspect the ignition system: The ignition system is responsible for creating a spark to ignite the air/fuel mixture that is sent to the combustion chamber.
Regular inspection and maintenance of the ignition system can help prevent yamaha big bear 400 starting problems.
6) Store the ATV properly: When storing the ATV for an extended period of time, it is very important to make sure that you prepare it properly.
This includes draining the fuel, storing the ATV in a dry and cool place and removing the battery or keeping it optimally charged.
7) Always Perform Regular maintenance: as you keep making use of the yamaha big bear, some things will always need to be replaced with a new one when they are due for change.
One of these things is the oil in the engine.
With regular maintenance, this change will not be an issue as oil change is one of the activities that is carried out during maintenence.
Apart from changing oil during maintenance, symptoms of faulty parts are also checked.
This helps in replacing the faulty part early wiithout it getting totally damaged.
This helps in boosting the performance of the yamaha big bear and also prevent damage from extending to other parts of the ATV.
This is one of the best ways of preventing yamaha big bear 400 starting problems.