Why Doesn't My Electric Start Work? KTM

How do you diagnose an electric starter issue on a ktm?
125XC, two stroke
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[@glennaltschwager5234]

Nice work mate 👍 It still baffles the crap out of me...why the bike manufacturers are taking the kick starter backup away from us.

[@highlandcycles]

Amen. At least make it an option

[@Crosshatch1212]

@@highlandcycles bro hope you see this my ktm I just bhought dnt start on frst button it takes like three pushes every time .is this it on its way out .cheers .

[@Crosshatch1212]

I’m amputee and I hate kick starts the wrst thing was my xs engine had been sent to Tony halco of faumous halco tuning .now passed rip Tony . To get my engine oil cooled hydraulic clutch and the 840 conversion .I came out hospital with new leg .I had done away with the electric start on her .oh boy the few weeks that it took me to get it sussed on the frst kick was brutal on my thigh muscle ,lol if it had been there luckily it was just a lovely thud .lol but it does take its toll on you’re stump .keep electric starts ,

[@twowheeled1]

Thanks! Had the exact same problem with my 500, a good cleaning of the starter terminal fixed it. Thought I would have to new starter…

[@acameron7189]

Thanks Morgan. You're the best, I hope Baja is going well

[@trunk2x481]

Hey man me and my dad took it apart and fiddled around with stuff and it works now

[@Daniel.Palmer183f]

was having the same problem, cant believe I overlooked the ground connection(face palm) . Thanks, probably saved me some money and definitely time banging my head on the wall. Stupid me. Nexts weekends race will certainly be less stressful knowing i wont have to kick the bike when im already tired

[@Whit0331]

Exactly the video I was looking for. New to the dirtbike world. Got a new starter. No idea how to hook everything up. Now I at least know how it works. Thanks!

[@highlandcycles]

Awesome

[@zacharythompson2307]

Amazing you are a legend!!!

[@vondrz1391]

This video fixed my issue 👌

[@highlandcycles]

Awesome

[@orijinalgamesta9738]

I had this issue with my 250, ended up being a dirty ground to the chassis. The starter on my 150 died at 40 hours.

[@painsrides3616]

thx

[@stevenbernier4206]

2019 300 XCW. Half the time when I would depress the starter button no solenoid click or starter. Checked the battery, fuse, solenoid etc. Replaced the starter switch thinking it had issues. Same problem, ends up it was the connector on the frame where the starter button harness plugs into it. Was a loose crimp in the harness. A few drops of blue loc tite on the starters cable nut would not be a bad idea if it loosens up again....

[@highlandcycles]

Good to know

[@zxcvbnmnz]

Pretty big starter on the 125/150 KTM's, I'm expecting at least 300hrs before the brushes are worn on mine. I trust it so much I removed the kick starter, makes the motor a bit more responsive and a little power gain.

[@carlosmadureira8522]

Hi Morgan . I have the same problem on my exc 250 2017 after pass a little river. It’s possible is the starters don’t make the connection to the earth? my speedometer flashes and the flashing reserve light comes on. the motorcycle clicks but does not start. Do I have to remove the engine to remove the starter motor? thanks. your videos are awesome

[@mrskywalker115]

The 125xc and TE150/150xcw have alot of issues with burning out starters. I picked up a 18 TE150 with about 100hrs and starter was already gone. Picked up an HD unit from a scooter(yes these starters are originally from a 50cc scooter) and it burned out after 10-15 starts with 24v setup. Finally just spend the money on the ktm part and it was working but I only used it after it was warm AND I couldnt easily kickstart it(awkward side hill situations). Ended up selling the bike and now on a TC125 so no need to worry about it.

[@highlandcycles]

Yeah, we will see if it holds up. Already have 70hrs on the bike so far

[@zxcvbnmnz]

2020-2022 has a way bigger starter, might be possible to update but it would need the gears/jack shaft and the little housing between the cases and starter motor. It looks like it would swap over but I'm not 100% sure. If I had a 2017-2019 150XCW I would just buy some cheap starters of Aliexpress and swap them as needed.

[@mrskywalker115]

@@zxcvbnmnz I hadn't realized they updated it. Makes sense that they would update it bc the old ones was bad but it just needed to be a little bigger and it would be more reliable

[@bikevault2302]

had this on a WR450 - it was very random. I think the starter internal winding insulation was breaking down as it seemed to be worse when hot. I think your problem will return.

[@highlandcycles]

It definitely could. That’s why I love a kick starter

[@Smiling_mike]

Morgan, unrelated to the video above but I'm curious if you can sometime post a video on your opinion or advice on the KTM tpi power valve settings/adjustment /effect and wether to try and adjust it from stock the setting or not? I have a 2020 KTM 300 xcw and will bring it to you for power upgrades but am curious as to your thoughts? 👍🇺🇸👍

[@highlandcycles]

I think you should definitely adjust it. You can definitely get more out of that bike with some power valve adjustment

[@ethancolby1972]

Sounds like the starter winding has swelled and it’s finding spots to un. Stick. My diesel did the same thing. It works till it doesn’t no rhyme or reason.

[@josephforcino6399]

So much for e-start. Kicker never fails

[@highlandcycles]

Yep

[@ewa2929]

Check the blinker fluid.

[@highlandcycles]

Was full. And muffler bearings were greased!

[@johannzitz1357]

Subframe grounding

[@daviddoyle1001]

Having the same problem with my 2021 Rieju MR300

[@highlandcycles]

Crap.

[@user-cs4pj5lt5r]

Would you try to diagnose an opposite starter issue than what you solved above? My bike, a 2017 yz 450fx, will start on it's own. If left in neutral, it will start in the garage while on the stand. I can disconnect the starter button on the bars and it will still do it. If in gear, it won't start, but will engage fuel pump and small dash lights. I assume the whole system gets charged as a "low fuel" light will blink if low on fuel. The situation started, then progressed quite quickly to the point of having to disconnect battery, over about 4 hours riding time. Have you ever seen anything like this before? I ordered a starter relay, just hoping. Any ideas you or anyone else may have would sure be appreciated.

[@highlandcycles]

No, that is a brand new one. I did have a friend with a KTM that would run the fuel pump while sitting. It ended up being a relay that powers the bike up but if never heard of one that tries to start. I think you’re on the right track with the start relay

[@danieldenton5721]

I made a comment about not getting a click noise when I push the start button and asked if you knew what the problem could be. You replied to check the battery. I bought a brand new battery and fuses and replaced both of them. I am still not hearing a click when I push the button. I have had the bike for 3 months and am already having problem. Would you know of any other reasons why it doesn't make the click noise when I push the button? Could it be the switch or possible the relay? This is all new to me and I appreciate you responding to my comment.

[@danieldenton5721]

Nevermind. I figured it out. It was the relay. I appreciate the reply on my other comment

[@highlandcycles]

Awesome

[@prospectorsoils1240]

fair amount of problems are solve running a double battery with series parallel switch...24v volts gets things pretty active!!

[@highlandcycles]

For sure. Just no room for extra battery on the little bike

[@mrskywalker115]

@@highlandcycles two small 4cell lithium batteries fit no problem in stock battery compartment.

[@highlandcycles]

@@mrskywalker115 good to know. Really not that worried since it still has a kicker. Which is the reason I like to have a kick start back up.

[@trunk2x481]

Hey man I really have had a unlucky time with bikes recently my starter on my Yamaha ttr 230 crapped the bed and makes that same clicking when you press the button do you know what that would be

[@highlandcycles]

Not sure. Could be a bad connection at starter or just a bad atarter

[@trunk2x481]

Thanks

[@icebergcustoms7593]

Having this issue right now, it clicks. The stator cover was cracked that's how I bought it so I replaced it put everything back together and now it won't start

[@highlandcycles]

Man I don’t know.

[@icebergcustoms7593]

@highlandcycles I've probably watched 10+ videos on the subject. Pretty frustrated and I've had the bike maybe a month

[@highlandcycles]

@@icebergcustoms7593 I bet. It’s hard to help over the internet. Best of luck man.

[@navyseabee7245]

Bad connection or starter relay

[@danieldenton5721]

Mine doesn't make a click noise. Do you know what the problem could be?

[@danieldenton5721]

I bought my first dirt bike and bought only electric start. I learned my lesson

[@highlandcycles]

Hard to say. Check battery

[@bikersoncall]

I have electric start with kick-start, I start my bike with the Kick Starter 98% of the time, what components if any, (aside from the obvious; start-motor solenoid, and battery), am I saving wear on?

[@highlandcycles]

That’s it

[@gregbacon819]

Is it possible to install e-start on a 2007 KTM 300XC.

[@highlandcycles]

I don’t think so but not sure. It might be. Have to see if the cases are the same

[@nickstevens7369]

What could it be if you hit the button and don’t even get a click? No noise at all… I have a 2022 kx250x so no kick option. Please help

[@highlandcycles]

I’d check the button first. Then the solenoid

[@philipsmith6152]

Great video, my 300 TPI s/motor sometimes spins and doesn't engage when its hot. Could that be a connection issue? Cheers

[@highlandcycles]

I don’t think so. Probably something with the engagement under that left cover

[@parota_7103]

Gday, my starter is turning the motor but it doesn’t keep rolling over, it sounds like it turns once then stops. the bike works when being kick started thiugh

[@highlandcycles]

Could be the bendix isn’t staying engaged. Does it sound like the starter keeps spinning but the motor stops?

[@parota_7103]

@@highlandcycles hey mate sorry for the super late reply, and no the starter motor would try once then cut out, i’m ordering a new starter motor hopefully that’s the issue.

[@flyquickscoper]

​@@parota_7103i have the same problem... Did the new starter fix the problem??

[@andreaphillip699]

So I have a 22 fx450 the starter won’t engage after it get warm like 190-200 but when it cools works normal any ideas?

[@highlandcycles]

Huh. Might be a one way clutch.

[@andreaphillip699]

@@highlandcycles I am new to this but what do you mean by one way clutch?

[@rubenschmidt2229]

Myne doesnt work so ill try that out later en let you know if it worked

[@darrylsmijan9123]

You never have good luck with electric start the last video I seen you in was the Yz250 electric start from Quebec lol

[@highlandcycles]

Hahahaha. That one has been working great now.

[@bikevault2302]

brushes worn out