Now that I think about it, when I try to start it, you hear like a slapping sound. I just always thought it was something in the starting system. Maybe it could be the chain slapping. It’s a loud slap, almost too loud to be the chain in my opinion but it doesn’t crank like any normal atv, as far as sound goes.

 

I had some people look at my bike and they said that the engine sounds and runs fine. That it’s got to be an electrical issue. The said that it sounds and feels like it’s hitting a rev limiter. Does anyone know if there is a rev limiter on a 2003 Yamaha Wolverine or if the bike has limp mode or something.
i know that the parking brake has a rev limiter if it goes wrong but This bike doesn’t have any electronics left on the handles (except the starter button), someone tore them all out (I assume to stop the exact issue I may be having). They unclipped the harness and left the clip open. Could this have started issues?
How do I know if the parking brake is giving me issues?
Someone else also said that it could be a bad CDI box. Does anyone know if my bike matches the symptoms of a bad CDI?

 

I believe the CDI is your rev limiter. It is built into the electronics of the CDI. So that is a possibility. If you read about replacement CDIs they will often say, improved ignition timing curve and higher rev limiter.

Just another thought. Is there a screw to limit throttle travel?
often on the handle bars behind the throttle there is a screw where you can limit the travel. Like a speed limiter if you are having kids ride it.
If not on the handle bars, maybe someplace on the carb?
You can look down the carb and see if the throttle is opening all the way.

 

Thanks for the response. Throttle is fine, carb is fine. No limiters there. I should also mention I’ve been seeing people with similar issues online but they never posted the solution. My neutral position sensor went bad and now the bike doesn’t want to go into neutral sometimes, it goes from 1st gear straight into reverse and then back to first without touching the reverse switch. I have to play with it and shut off the bike sometimes to get it into neutral. Do you think this could be causing the issue? Is it possible that the reverse rev limiter is stuck or something? The wiring is a mess and some cables are burnt.
I never mentioned it because I was thinking that there was no way but now I’m not sure!

 

Can anyone recommend a replacement CDI for the Wolverine? Do we share a CDI with any other bike? I’d prefer not to spend $450 on a new CDI, I’ll even take some Chinese crap just to see if it works.

 

Well, I don't have that same bike and I don't have a manual for it, But you know logic says it could. I have a couple different machines that have a very low set rev limiter in reverse as opposed to the much higher rev limiter set in forward.

So it is possible that the machine thinks it is in reverse and limiting rpms when it is actually moving forward.

Would be nice to have a service manual to confirm it but it certainly makes sense.

 

I posted this in another thread. You can get a cheap chinese CDI to work. If nothing else think of it as a trouble shooting tool. But one of the problems I ran into is they are often listed to cover multiple years and multiple models. You need to find one if you can specific to your model.

Like I have a 2001 Kodiak. Many of the cheap boxes list they work for 1995-2002 350-400-450 models. But they do not. Those boxes usually create a no start condition. I did find one seller selling boxes that fit 2000-2002 models only and it seems to be working correctly. So it is a crap shoot. Don't believe that the cheap CDI is good just because it is new.

 

Thanks for your help man. I contacted a few sellers to ask for confirmation on fitment. I found a used one also, do you think that’s worth it? Weirdly enough it seems that the CDI box I have in my bike looks different than the ones I’m seeing. Mine looks like to the old wolverine CDIs from the 90s. Maybe they swapped it out?

 

Here is the manual I’ve been using:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/91...ected=3#manual

if you don’t mind maybe taking a look and giving me a hand. I didn’t see any relevant information regarding rev limiters (except the Parking brake). I don’t know if this is the exact manual bc there are so many for the Wolverine but I used it before and it seemed fine so it’s probably alright, just thought I’d mention.

 

Again thank you for your help man I really appreciate it, like a lot. It may not seem like much to you but it means a lot to me because otherwise I’m just screwed figuring it out alone.