Removing and repairing a Yamaha Ride motor

The electronic reverse system used on new yamaha waverunners called Ride can get stuck or cause a number of various codes, including ydis 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158 and possibly even more.
And when it stops working, it doesn't work anymore. I guess that goes without saying.
I have been unable to find any information about whats inside these units, and absolutely zero information about repairing them.
I'm not sure this video is any kind of guide to repair your Ride system, but if nothing else, it does at show you how to remove the Ride motor so it can be replaced with a functional assembly.
Tools and things used in this video:
➡Socket set: amzn.to/2XoNKR4
➡Hex set: amzn.to/2XB8XaV
➡Multimeter: amzn.to/3EyFG1o
➡Needle probes: amzn.to/3ApbOBM
➡Multimeter probes: amzn.to/3hNc1aG
➡Dewalt impact: amzn.to/39f6eGk
These links may be affiliate links, which will earn me a small commission if you choose to purchase from one.

[@trythistv]

Tools and things used in this video: Socket set: amzn.to/2XoNKR4 Hex set: amzn.to/2XB8XaV Multimeter: amzn.to/3EyFG1o Needle probes: amzn.to/3ApbOBM Multimeter probes: amzn.to/3hNc1aG Dewalt impact: amzn.to/39f6eGk These links may be affiliate links, which will earn me a small commission if you choose to purchase from one.

[@AndTodaysProjectIs]

Yep! Works like a charm LOL. Attached everything and the reverse bucket now does its thing. YOU DA MAN for posting this video bro!

[@trythistv]

Awesome!!! I'm not sure why they get stuck or act up but at least it isn't a terrible job to disassemble and test it all. Glad you got yours up and working! Beats replacing the whole assembly, those things are crazy pricey the last time I checked!

[@rchawaiianstyle]

Dude, You’re awesome took Much longer than you to get it all done but with your help it’s all fixed new ride motor installation not as hard as I thought thank you

[@trythistv]

Awesome! Glad it helped you out.

[@marlinjohnson7008]

Just replaced my ride motor. Still stuck in F won't crank ugh! I even had it diagnosed at the dealer. Stumped!

[@justingeturgun]

I’m getting code 151 on my 2017. But I’m not getting fuel pressure? And it’s not starting ?

[@josealmonte6049]

Your a great guy bro, Thanks for showing us this video is legit!

[@h20mxracer222]

Great video! I'm having an issue with my Ride system on a new 5hr '21 GP svho. The new system revs up engine when reverse lever is pulled.

[@trythistv]

Correct, tapping the lever goes to neutral, and holding just a little will go to reverse and then pulling further will rev the engine up. Talk about a shock if you're used to ibr on a seadoo.

[@andrecunha142]

Thanks for the video! Followed your procedure, but couldn't get the motor assembly out because I broke the setscrew off the arm. But I guess trying to pry it off and spraying it down with penetrating oil got the shaft loosened up or jarred something. Code 159 gone!! Ride control working!!! 2020 waverunner VX

[@trythistv]

Glad it helped out, breaking the setscrew is a bummer but as long as you got it working now that's a win! I wish I knew more about these, but there just isn't much info out there, figure any tidbit I put out helps pave the road for others to dig deeper!

[@AndTodaysProjectIs]

I just spent ALL DAY in the garage trying to figure all of this out. Man! I wish I would have watched your video first. I tore apart the RIDE motor itself (all 4 screws) and fought for about 30 minutes trying to put that little motor back together. There are a couple little buttons in the way that keep you from installing the shaft back in. Took a bit to figure out how to relieve the spring tension on those but finally I got it together. What I was too worried about trying was putting a 12 volt battery on the motor exactly like you did so THANK YOU very much for posting this. I have no idea if mine is going to work at this point but I'm heading to the garage right now (2am) to find out. Hopefully I net the same results!

[@one_day_at_a_time9915]

SUBBED

[@thierrylisondeloma865]

Hey bro, thanks so much for your super clear vid. Saved so much of my time. Seawater had leaked inside and had the lever axle totally stuck. 3 hrs of wrestling, moving the lever back and forth, until normal pivoting, with a ton of grease and I was able to get it back in the water the next day. You're the man!

[@trythistv]

Awesome! Glad the video helped you out and got you back on the water!

[@mjmj2566]

mine have code 151

[@nguoicotoi380]

HI MJ MJ - Have you clear your - if so, how did you clear it ? I am getting same code 151 .. 19 fx cruiser HO.. Thanks,

[@alanmcaleenan6765]

Hi my 2017 vxr wont start when i try its in forward gear not nuetral iim getting codes 157 161 your reckon this cud be my problem? When I look the codes up its saying replace the ride motor

[@trythistv]

I've not seen a ride motor cause a no-start, but codes 157 and 161 could absolutely be fixed by doing this.

[@IconicCypher]

Thanks for this info! Can't wait to start testing it but can't get it out yet.. Motor is like the alternate version from 2018 ski shown at end which has slightly different way lever attaches to shaft. Took plate & everything apart no problem until snapping that 'set screw/lock screw' off & should have been easiest to remove vs the plate bolts ! Guess going to need a bigger drill bit now.. damn you salty Yamaha bolts!😢

[@trythistv]

Yamaha seems to really love their loctite on newer models as well. I had to remove the top deck thing from a 2021 EX and man all 6 bolts felt like they were going to snap off all the way out. Glad the video helped you get some progress at least!

[@charliexzi]

I have pretty much identical problem with my 2017 fx ho code 159 the beeps and runs but won’t go in reverse, forward etc. Had to switch jet pump out to get it starting at all. Now getting 159. My repair shop has been taking so long 4+ mo so far they are saying now probably just needs a new fuse box to get working? I’m really tempted go get it and fix myself try n do what you did here. My question is do you think a new fuse box assembly will help get ride motor working or just take out and inspect like u did? Thanks for help awesome vid one of the only ones I could find!

[@trythistv]

I highly doubt the fuse box is to blame. I was curious about the relays that control the ride system when diagnosing this problem, I traded them every which way, jumpered and everything trying to track this down. it ended up being the ride motor was bound up (as you can see in the video lol). I do know If the reverse bucket can't move freely, and I mean freely (with the arm disconnected), it won't do the calibration stuff properly, where you see it stuttering and stuff in the video it is learning the positioning, and with the motor not running because of the stuck brushes or whatever, it wasn't changing position and was throwing the code. I'd pull it apart and take a look, but I tend to do that with everything.

[@Mancamp1000]

It sucks that your video is among hundred other videos concerning Sea-Doo you are the only video I found on Yamaha ibr I have my neighbors ski and tomorrow I'll give it a shot

[@trythistv]

There is a surprising lack of information about the Yamaha ride system out there, Hopefully this video helps you out with the ski you're working on!

[@Steven-xj2rf]

Great video. Mine seems to only have issues in the water. I got a 159 and had low voltage less then 12. I put in a new battery and it is 14+ when riding, but after a while it through a 163.

[@trythistv]

Is your battery charging while the engine is running? Any cables corroded or loose terminals on the battery? Being in the water could put extra load on the ride motor, and any bad connection could make it throw codes

[@Steven-xj2rf]

@@trythistv yeah, it is charging. I checked the codes with my map tuner and it showed it had a code 153 stored. It didn't show any of the codes that popped up on the dash. I put the details of my problem on Greenhulk yesterday as I have gotten random codes 151, 159, 163 on my 2021 FX SVHO

[@Steven-xj2rf]

I am thinking it has something to do with control unit in Ride. The motor is fine, but something is causing an intermittent failure. The wire harness and connectors look like new. The MpatunerX I have ahs a code reader and the only code stored 151. The stuff that displayed on the dash didn't log into the ECU.

[@trythistv]

It could very well be something going wrong with the control unit, I'm not sure exactly how smart that is, but it could be almost a second ecu and communication problems would cause erratic behavior and error codes. The low voltage is my confusion. In order for the voltage to drop there has to be a large load on the battery, it could be the position sensing portion of the ride motor is failing and the ride control ecu thing is trying to move the motor to get the bucket into the proper position and it's already against the stop so the motor is just locked rotor essentially perhaps.

[@Steven-xj2rf]

@@trythistv the voltage drop is after it dies and struggles to start. The different control unit seemed to fix it, but the control unit is from the wrong model and throws a TDE ERR on the dash. No codes, but reduced power.

[@rmccool70]

Great video

[@faykeurti]

Thank you so much

[@trythistv]

You're welcome! Glad it was helpful for you!

[@KevinSteiger-j3c]

Where is the fuse/ relay for the ride system.

[@baseballplayer2121]

On my 2017 vx1050 it only shows a dash where the F, N, R should be. The ride motor works because it does the self check when you first start it but it stays in forward and nothing happens when I hit the reverse lever. Think it’s the position sensor?

[@trythistv]

It does sound like the motor assembly is not reporting its position, which could be something as simple as a bad connection somewhere, or the position sensor itself has failed in some way.

[@baseballplayer2121]

I’ve gone through the whole wiring harness and cleaned every connection and dielectric greased all of them so I don’t think it’s a connection issue anymore. Do you know where I can find a new position sensor? I couldn’t find just the sensor anywhere on the internet. Thanks for the fast reply btw!

[@velminhusic3472]

I have the dash as well I got new ride throttle and wiring harness also ride motor is working I applied voltage to it 157. No communication hmm it’s either ecu in ride or and sensor

[@nguoicotoi380]

Nice Video.. !! MJ MJ - have you clear your code yet ? 151 - I am getting a 151 error code also.. Thanks,

[@trythistv]

Yes, unjamming whatever was jammed in here solved the problem. It has been working flawlessly ever since, I believe it was 2 years ago now that I filmed this, so it's held up for a fair bit of riding

[@coreyhills9368]

Your a magician! Great vid

[@ashokmistri4707]

Thanks!

[@trythistv]

You're welcome! Glad it helped you out.

[@AchikSarih]

Merci beaucoup ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@trythistv]

You're welcome!

[@madman11331122]

NICE!! This is a $1800 part..

[@trythistv]

YUP! And hardly anything out there about them. Glad I got this freed up and working again, last I heard it was still working flawlessly, something just got stuck and I jarred it loose, hasn't gotten stuck again.

[@drfardstumdoingthings]

Love all your videos! I have a old gp1200 that I love and wondering if it’s possible to fit a reverse on it ??

[@trythistv]

I believe the reverse parts from an XL or XLT model of the same era will fit, I'm not certain on that, but I have heard of it being done.

[@drfardstumdoingthings]

@@trythistv thanks I’ll look into it

[@simonwallace699]

This is a great video and I know I might need it someday

[@trythistv]

Hopefully you never have ride issues! But at least you know a little bit about how it works now!

[@bubba.watercraftj7269]

What software did you use to retrieve the trouble codes? And did you have to clear the codes after the repairs?

[@trythistv]

I know on 2016 and newer the trouble code flashes on the instrument cluster, I did use a candoopro (System for Yamaha: ebay.us/1TC15V) to double check what they were, but they will clear without any scantool once the problem has been repaired, and battery has been disconnected for a couple minutes. So it wasn't really needed, but was handy because you can command the ride to move with the scantool so I could verify it went up and down, but of course you can see I did the same thing in the video by starting the engine and tapping the throttle and reverse levers to see the motor move, so again, the scantool was convenient, but not necessary at all. On Seadoo machines you need the scantool to program keys and reset maintenance reminders, but yamaha I haven't found any service or repair that needed a scantool attached. (Seadoo scantool: ebay.us/idXJQn)

[@bubba.watercraftj7269]

@@trythistv do you need to prompt the instrument cluster to read the code or does it show the fault automatically? I have owned many PWC’s over the years, however I have my first 2 late model Yamaha’s. I prefer to do all my own maintenance for quality reasons. ( I was a mercruiser and merc outboard mechanic a number of years back and have been a professional truck mechanic the rest of my over 40 years in the field) I enjoy your videos and thanks for the fast response. Both of my RIDE motors work fine so far. I just wanted to learn whatever I could. Thanks again.

[@trythistv]

@@bubba.watercraftj7269 with this problem the fault flashed on the display immediately along with the horrific warning buzzer screeching and deafening me lol. I'd say you're well equipped to handle all the maintenance and repairs on these, in my mind these are so much simpler than any sterndrive, outboard or inboard boat. Me and my wife run a business doing all kinds of mechanical work on various watercraft and just about every other shop in the area refers all the pwcs to us, they're a little cramped to work on sometimes but usually pretty easy to figure out what's going on

[@bubba.watercraftj7269]

@@trythistv I don’t miss working on stern drives any more with my forearms looking like chopped liver after “routine” repairs on a crusty rusty salt water boat. Lol. I have a 2018 1800 naturally aspirated and a 2019 TR1 VX cruiser. The TR1 is much easier to access for routine service. What part of the country is your shop located? Incase I need to recommend someone to repair a PWC or in the event that I may not feel like doing a major repair in my senior years.(yes I am old)

[@trythistv]

We're in East TN, on Norris lake, so all freshwater stuff here, boy when we see a saltwater machine it makes me cry a little on the inside, everything is so much harder to work on with that corrosion everywhere. A few years back we had a bad zebra mussel problem on our lake and it was miserable, everything that came out of the lake had those little razor sharp shells everywhere, we pressure washed everything before we ever started working on it otherwise we'd end up sliced and diced! I'm on the fence for which I prefer between the TR1 and 1.8L engines, I see a lot of TR1s as rentals, and they hold up pretty well, around 4-500 hours the jet pumps seem to self destruct, and they don't handle water ingestion as well as the older MR1s did, but overall they are great machines. I don't see a huge volume of the 1.8s yet, they seem pretty solid, share a lot of the same ride motor and components like that, and are a bit more cramped to work on, the tr1 powerplant can be pulled out almost as a unit which is super neat, I suspect the 1.8 would require a little trimming of the accessories and manifolds and such to fit out.

[@D3M0z]

Its funny mine did the same exact thing i took it apart as i was told you have to buy a new 1 and it wasnt servicable 🤷

[@trythistv]

Non-serviceable things are my favorite things to service.