Hi.

I have a XT660Z Tenere 2011 with +-7400Klm on it. I am having problems with the bike cutting out. It started at around 7000Klm. It starts, I ride it for +- 11Klm then the orange motor warning light comes on. After a minute or two the dash completely blacks out, with all warning lights off. Lights, and flickers etc still work, but not the dash lights. Then a minute or two later the bikes speedo drops to zero. Then a minute or two later the bike cuts out. If I stop the bike when the orange light comes on, I can not start it again at all. The starter solinoid starts buzzing, as if the battery is flat.
This has happened three times now.
After standing for some time and fiddling with battery and terminals, the bike again starts as if nothing happened, only to do the same pattern again.

I took it to YAMAHA, and they said it was either a flat battery (Which they charged) or the TFI unit, which they originally fitted, and have now removed, but still the problem persists.

Has anyone had similar problems? Could it just be a faulty battery?

Thanks!!!

Marcel - Hermanus South Africa

Hi Marcel,

Do a search on "rectifier connector" and I think you may find your problem. (Connector breaks down resulting in no charge to the battery). It's well documented. Annoying and fairly common issue but easily.....umm.......rectified!

Cheers, Rick

+1

It does sound like the early stages of regulator/rectifier problem, plug terminals are on there way out, but not quite lost all contact, which explains why its a bit intermittent. Is the engine trouble light flashing any code at you with ignition on/engine not running? I'd pull off the reg/rec multiplug and have a look inside at the terminals, if there is any sign of scorching, blackening or melting then you've found your problem. First fault like this I've heard on a 2011 bike, usually the early ones are affected? The bonus is your bike is well within warranty and this fault is a warranty issue, you shouldn't have any trouble extracting a new wiring loom from Yamaha. Surprised your dealer didn't investigate this first up?

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I'm not sure this is a problem outside of the UK/Europe. Unless someone knows different, I've not heard of this problem in SA.

I thought the same when I read the post, but I'm not 100% sure it is the 'usual' problem. I would certainly take the plug apart and take a look, also check out the resistance over the rectifier terminals at the same time (the details of how/what to expect are in the workshop manual) to see if the reg/rec is working properly ,this I would expect the dealer to check though, batteries go dead at times, but on a running bike, either the battery is faulty, or the charging circuit is (or you are using more power than the bike is delivering). If you charge the battery it presumes that you think the problem is in the charging, if you thought it was the battery, you'd replace it.

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Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

BTW, what's a TFI unit? The only TFI I know of has something to do with Fridays!!

Its a fueling device, the simple version is a bit like a kev mod and the fancy one's a bit like a Power Commander.

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Hi Rick

Many Thanks for the response. I think you are spot on! YAMAHA have ordered a new rectifier, connector and wiring lume for that circuit. They should have it by today, and then have it fitted. They realised that the battery was not getting charge.

This is what I suspected, but the first tme they ruled the charge out. Well at least they have it sorted now.

Thanks again for your response!!! It is appreciated!!

Marcel

Result!

For those owners out of warranty the best option is to fit a compatible rectifier that has a connector on a fly lead and fit the opposite connector on the loom.
(in good ol' courier style I just dug out the existing connector on my oem rectifier and repotted it with a fly lead).

So, do you have those flappy cardboard leg protectors like the other couriers in the 'big smoke' ?

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Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Nah, I never said I was a propper courier!!