Hey everyone, went out to ride my '99 Wolverine today and it would not start. When I press the button the Oil Temp light comes on, but that's it, the engine doesn't turn over or anything. The switch was on Run, the bike was in neutral, and I even went up the gear range and into neutral to make sure it was really in neutral, still no luck. I turned on the lights and they're as bright as ever, so that kinda ruled out the dead battery theory....I have no backup starter (wish I did), anyone have any clues?

 

Check to see if you have power going to the starter by checking the wires at the switch, and at the starter.

 

Taco,
You have the dreaded "Yamaha Syndrome"... try one or two things and see if either of these help... First, disassemble and clean all your contacts such as the battery terminals, and solenoid connectors. (this one was unlikely your problem.. but BASICS first)
Second, put the machine in neutral, key on, run switch on, and attempt to start it... NOTING happen? turn on the headlights and hit the start switch.. Do the headlamps dim slightly?
After all that, push in hard on the start button, and "roll" your thumb around the switch to see if its just dirty contacts inside the start switch.. If that doesn't do it, hold down firmly on the start switch with the machine in neutral, and SLOWLY start pulling the rear brake lever in and see if at any point, the starter kicks off.. If you've been it deep water, its possible that the soleniod is bad... you can try holding on the start switch and tapping the solenoid with the PLASTIC end of a screwdriver..
My brothers Yamahas (both bigbears) do the same thing on occasion... One is getting a weak solenoid (the 99) and the 98 is the loss of a ground I think... it only does it after being in DEEP mud for awhile.. after being washed it settles down.. and Im NOT fixing it for him.. hahaha... If it ends up being the solenoid, if the Yamaha part is pricey... u might try buying one for a FORD car... and convert it..
Its just a process of elimination..

 

I have never had this problem, but mine will not start in gear even thought it is supposed to.

 

You have to pull the brake lever to make it start in gear..mine does.

 

Thanks for ya'lls help. I've checked and it's getting power at the switch, and back near the battery at the fuse. I also checked some little distribution block under the left fender and it's getting power. There was quite a bit of corrosion on the positive terminal. I cleaned it up good with a wire brush but still no luck. Also on the battery I noticed the fluid was low, so I'm going to add some more distilled water today and see what that does. The weird thing is the lights come on bright as day and they don't dim at all when I hit the start switch....it's like it's not even trying!

 

my twolf will start in gear, mainly because of a loose wire some where, and im not gonna fix it. i might try to find it but im not gonna fix it because i like having not to have to put it in neutral and start it.