I replaced the brushes in the starter on my 2001 VK540 today. I was having problems and all i got was a klick from the relay. I took the startermotor apart and it was actually missing a brush since it had disintegrated completely. It was a pain to rebuild but now it works again.
Oh wow! Mine turned out to just need a new battery. The battery tester I used kept showing it was okay but the e-start still didn’t work. Finally I just said the heck with it, bought a brand new battery and that fixed the issue 100%. I had a really hard time believing the battery crapped out after only 2 years but it did. At the same time my ‘07 Grizzly 450 is still using its original battery. I don’t get it? I maintained both batteries the same way on their off seasons.
I'm in Northern Alaska. On my second VK. So many of my buddies have the 4 stroke liquid coolers, they're lots of trouble on ice or Hardpack, and no recoil. I pull them home on the ahkio. They all want to find an aircooler. I love the simplicity of the VK. Great sled for slow work on weasel trails. Pulls a bull moose in one load. Also own a Bearcat lt 570, Cheyenne 501 lt and tundra 1 lt. Each has its purpose. Steering is a little tough on the VK, but I'm used to it. Love your channel. Keep it up.
Thanks for the kind words. 😀 It’s always great to hear from people who also love fan cooled sleds and the simplicity they offer. For me, the cons of the 4-stroke sleds outweigh the pros and I absolutely hate dealing with cooling issues in the conditions you mentioned.
Great honest review, you can tell this dude knows what he's talking about👍 the single carb sleds are the best bush sleds you can find any single carb sled IS SIMPLE TO KEEP RUNNING SMOOTH AND FLAWLESS AND CAN LAST FOR YEARS.
Thanks! I did get the starter issue fix. The original battery finally crapped out this year. Installed a new battery and the starter works perfectly again.
Get a multi meter and check the large red wire coming out of the relay to see if it is reading 12v going to your starter when you turn the key. If not, make sure you have continous power on the other large red wire. If that is good, find the key signal wire in one of those on the cluster plugged into the relay and if that is sending power to the relay when you turn the key 100% of the time then the relay is faulty.
+ it is very important that the engine compartment is clean, since there it takes air from the engine compartment into the carburetor... using a car vacuum cleaner to clean up forest debris
I saw that in the Snowtraxtv video but it sounded temporary, just for the ‘23 models? I got the impression they built enough ‘22 sleds to fulfill their anticipated sales for ‘23 models. If it does go away, I guess I wouldn’t be completely shocked as California is banning 2-strokes. I’m glad I have mine and plan to keep it forever too! Cheers 🍻
I read zero Snowmobiles no longer being produced in Japan going forward which means VK540 and VKPro are done as rest of entire line being made in Arctic Cats facility in Thief River Falls Minnesota USA.
I am now desperate to get one or Three spare 11" inch OEM Ski Skins to have on a personal stock shelf as they have been on Backorder for 8 months now and I called Yamaha and they said they are not certain they will be available for sale again. On open ended unfilled production with no dates or information available on them on Yamaha's end. Also not a single pair in stock at any dealer in North America and zero for sale privately on eBay or other sites on globe!!
@@thatalaskaguy BTW, I would like to communicate with you regarding the VK540,I have many things I did to my 2021 VK540 that have worked great and would like to share them with you as your videos have been a big help to me!
@@nickelms1588 yes, you can email me at thatalaskaguy907@gmail.com That’s a bummer about the ski skins, mine took months and months to arrive in ‘21. I’d read a rumor on a sled forum about Yamaha teaming up with Argo to start producing sleds with some of the former Arctic Cat staff who Textron forced out. I’ve not read anything official about Yamaha stopping sled production permanently in Japan.
Glad you keep posting, you’re good at it! I find that mine occasionally grinds when trying to put it in gear. Even though the handle “locks” in to place, the transmission clatters while going in…just sometimes but I cringe at the sound. Anyone else have this and is it going to blow up the the tranny?
Thanks for the kind words 😄. I’m thinking you’ll want to adjust your linkage tighter as it sounds like it’s not engaging fully and grinding until it slides into gear. My VK was doing something similar when I first got it until I tighten the linkage. Also make sure your drive chain adjustment it tight.
It depends on the context of what is available. I really, really like fan cooled sleds and I believe this is the last of fan cooled wide tracks available to buy anymore. I’m not presently wanting or looking for anything to replace it. In my ideal world it would be nice if this sled was smaller and much lighter but still have the same track. But I don’t think that kind of machine exists? I’m really curious and excited about electric powered sleds and the future prospects there. The VK will very likely be the last gas powered work sled I’ll own.
That fuel line isn't where a primer would go. A primer actually needs to go directly into the carb. Priming into that connection that you pointed out will do nothing.
Im debating gettin a vk, ive got a 22 850 pro 155 but sometines I just want to fart around, pull stuff and do work. The pro can do that stuff but is not the ideal machine.
If you can locate a VK I wouldn’t hesitate as it appears they won’t be available new after this season. For doing work tasks and towing a big widetrack like the VK is a much better and easier to use machine than your 850. But, they are two completely different types of machine and each has its pros and cons. The VK won’t be anywhere near as fun to ride recreationally in the mountains as your 155, nor will it feel nimble in any way, shape or form. It’s like riding a 90’s 4WD four wheeler as it plods along and gets you where you need to go and can run over many alders and willows that get in the way. I like my VK and was surprised by how much I ride it for fun. My longest track regular sled is a 600 RMK and I ride the VK away more often than it. The biggest difference between the VK and your 155 besides the power will be the ability to back up in all different kinds of snow. It’s fricking amazing! Plus the widetrack gets so much traction that I seldom have issues with trenching out. It also takes less effort to ride though deep, unpacked snow as you can creep along in low range and not worry about trying to keep up your momentum or dealing with jumpy power and harsh belt engagement.
If at some point it stopped starting with the key, then the problem is in the relay on the battery. There is a thin wire there, it is not designed for such currents and it needs to be serviced
Thanks for the info. The problem comes and goes. It sometimes starts and other times nothing. Sometimes the e-start works when cold, first thing in the morning and other times it doesn’t until the sled is ridden around a while and warm under the hood. Even then, once warm, the e-start still works intermittently.
Mine too! Sometimes it’s difficult to get the seat broken free. Yesterday the backrest kept snagging my boot as I was hopping back and forth over the seat riding through tight woods. I’m going to pull that dang thing off this weekend.
It’s a jaw dropping 730lbs! That is wet, ready to ride spec right out of the owner’s manual. I didn’t realize the big girl was quite that heavy!! library.ymcapps.net/library/om/contents/pdf/13/8KX-28199-73_02.pdf
@@thatalaskaguy What?? That’s really heavy! If it wasn’t for the 20 inch wide track it would be a submarine under the snow! I guess the all steel chassis and frame does it. I wonder if the new Yamaha Transporter Lite 2up would do everything the VK does? It seems like a solid small workhorse with a beefy little single banger liquid engine.
@@normneufeld9688 Yeah! Crazy huh!? I was pretty shocked as well. I just looked up the weight of a gallon of gas and a quart of oil and the VK is packing roughly 75 lbs in gas and injector oil when fully filled. There’s probably another 5 or so pounds of oil for the shocks and chaincase. Therefore 730-80= 650lbs dry so that’s a little more relatable. But it’s a heavy sled, no way around that. With the Transporter Lite it all depends what you want to do with it. It’s like comparing a Ford F-350 to a Ford Maverick. Both those trucks will haul people, haul things in the bed and tow but the F-350 can haul and tow a lot more. Both the VK and T-Lite will haul a passenger, some stuff on the rear rack and pull a couple kids in a sled but a guy will find the limits of the T-Lite pretty quickly. The T-Lite just won’t have the floatation, traction or pulling power off trail that the VK does. For me the VK is generally way more sled than I need. But for those times I’m pulling a groomer, a broken down sled or breaking trail though deep snow (while occasionally also pulling those things) the VK is excellent at that task. I actually seriously considered the Blast LT before buying the VK, but at that time the prices were not that far apart and the VK looked like a better, more capable value for the money but definitely not as fun or easy to ride.
@@thatalaskaguy Thanks for the thoughts regarding the TL. Some of my logic for the VK is for its simplicity and lack of computer etc. I just don't trust the sensors etc on the new sleds and feel like less to go wrong with the VK. I use for 1.. Getting firewood off our back woods 2. Ice fishing on Lake Winnipeg and 3. then some pleasure/trail riding. I haven't had it very long as I bought it last March. Probably not great of a machine for riding groomed trails with buddies but I'm in my 60's and dont need the speed rush like I did!
@@normneufeld9688 The VK sounds perfect for what you are doing and the level of technology you wanted. I too wanted a simple, easy to work on, basic sled that’ll still be running 40 years from now. The VK can feel tippy, especially at faster speeds but if you can find a pair, install some wider ski skins and that’ll help it feel much more stable. The TL is liquid cooled, power valve equipped, EFI higher stressed motor. It’ll have issues far sooner than the VK will.
buy one again? absolutely not. I cannot go anywhere w/o out a dozen spare plugs. fouls plugs every other trip.handles like a cement truck. Love my 600 ace tundra ak trapper. reliable and handles like a dream. I just cannot believe Yamaha can let something like this out the door. Have owned several Yamaha outboards and loved them. I liked the idea of simple and fan cooled and the great engine bay access. Dealer act s like I have the plague when ya try to talk about the issue. I do have the three year extended warranty. thinking about my next step. Mine is a 2020 model. 10K boat anchor as far as I am concerned.
I do not understand how you are having so many issues fouling plugs? Sounds like you need to go to a different dealer as it’s one of two things: 1. You have something drastically wrong with the carb or .2 You are not starting it correctly and using the choke in the wrong manner. The sled is a basic, there simply isn’t much to go wrong with it. I’ve never fouled a plug with mine…. Never. The damn thing sat idling, unattended after start up for 15 minutes and still didn’t load up and foul. Take the sled to someone else and have it looked at or sell it if it doesn’t bring you joy. You’ll get good money for it. Life is too short to own a sled that is bringing you this much frustration.
Not to nitpick, but this sounds like operator error. No way you should be fouling plugs like you are claiming. Makes zero sense. You leave the choke on too long on anything and you can foul plugs.
It's a single carb, and a hood that flips open how can anyone not figure out the problem? "It's the driver not the machine" my uncle's quote I accidentally added this to the main comment section and deleted so this is where my comment is supposed to go.
Развлечения
I replaced the brushes in the starter on my 2001 VK540 today. I was having problems and all i got was a klick from the relay. I took the startermotor apart and it was actually missing a brush since it had disintegrated completely. It was a pain to rebuild but now it works again.
Oh wow! Mine turned out to just need a new battery. The battery tester I used kept showing it was okay but the e-start still didn’t work. Finally I just said the heck with it, bought a brand new battery and that fixed the issue 100%. I had a really hard time believing the battery crapped out after only 2 years but it did. At the same time my ‘07 Grizzly 450 is still using its original battery. I don’t get it? I maintained both batteries the same way on their off seasons.
I'm in Northern Alaska. On my second VK. So many of my buddies have the 4 stroke liquid coolers, they're lots of trouble on ice or Hardpack, and no recoil. I pull them home on the ahkio. They all want to find an aircooler. I love the simplicity of the VK. Great sled for slow work on weasel trails. Pulls a bull moose in one load. Also own a Bearcat lt 570, Cheyenne 501 lt and tundra 1 lt. Each has its purpose. Steering is a little tough on the VK, but I'm used to it. Love your channel. Keep it up.
Thanks for the kind words. 😀 It’s always great to hear from people who also love fan cooled sleds and the simplicity they offer. For me, the cons of the 4-stroke sleds outweigh the pros and I absolutely hate dealing with cooling issues in the conditions you mentioned.
Great honest review, you can tell this dude knows what he's talking about👍 the single carb sleds are the best bush sleds you can find any single carb sled IS SIMPLE TO KEEP RUNNING SMOOTH AND FLAWLESS AND CAN LAST FOR YEARS.
Thanks! I did get the starter issue fix. The original battery finally crapped out this year. Installed a new battery and the starter works perfectly again.
Get a multi meter and check the large red wire coming out of the relay to see if it is reading 12v going to your starter when you turn the key. If not, make sure you have continous power on the other large red wire. If that is good, find the key signal wire in one of those on the cluster plugged into the relay and if that is sending power to the relay when you turn the key 100% of the time then the relay is faulty.
Thanks for the help on this, much appreciated!
The starter relay on my 94 Vmax 600 was defective . It has the same set up as the 540.
My old Yamaha Phazer had the same issues! I installed an anti-freezing line to it and that helped wonders! Hope that helps
What was the anti-freezing line you installed? Was it for the starter system?
+ it is very important that the engine compartment is clean, since there it takes air from the engine compartment into the carburetor... using a car vacuum cleaner to clean up forest debris
VK540 End of a Legendary Era! Yamaha ends VK540 year 2023. Will keep mine forever!
I saw that in the Snowtraxtv video but it sounded temporary, just for the ‘23 models? I got the impression they built enough ‘22 sleds to fulfill their anticipated sales for ‘23 models.
If it does go away, I guess I wouldn’t be completely shocked as California is banning 2-strokes. I’m glad I have mine and plan to keep it forever too! Cheers 🍻
I read zero Snowmobiles no longer being produced in Japan going forward which means VK540 and VKPro are done as rest of entire line being made in Arctic Cats facility in Thief River Falls Minnesota USA.
I am now desperate to get one or Three spare 11" inch OEM Ski Skins to have on a personal stock shelf as they have been on Backorder for 8 months now and I called Yamaha and they said they are not certain they will be available for sale again. On open ended unfilled production with no dates or information available on them on Yamaha's end. Also not a single pair in stock at any dealer in North America and zero for sale privately on eBay or other sites on globe!!
@@thatalaskaguy BTW, I would like to communicate with you regarding the VK540,I have many things I did to my 2021 VK540 that have worked great and would like to share them with you as your videos have been a big help to me!
@@nickelms1588 yes, you can email me at thatalaskaguy907@gmail.com
That’s a bummer about the ski skins, mine took months and months to arrive in ‘21. I’d read a rumor on a sled forum about Yamaha teaming up with Argo to start producing sleds with some of the former Arctic Cat staff who Textron forced out. I’ve not read anything official about Yamaha stopping sled production permanently in Japan.
would primer help with the plug fouling at start up. I am suggesting avoid using choke altogether. I take choke off immediately upon starting
Glad you keep posting, you’re good at it! I find that mine occasionally grinds when trying to put it in gear. Even though the handle “locks” in to place, the transmission clatters while going in…just sometimes but I cringe at the sound. Anyone else have this and is it going to blow up the the tranny?
Thanks for the kind words 😄. I’m thinking you’ll want to adjust your linkage tighter as it sounds like it’s not engaging fully and grinding until it slides into gear. My VK was doing something similar when I first got it until I tighten the linkage. Also make sure your drive chain adjustment it tight.
Would you buy this machine again?
It depends on the context of what is available. I really, really like fan cooled sleds and I believe this is the last of fan cooled wide tracks available to buy anymore. I’m not presently wanting or looking for anything to replace it.
In my ideal world it would be nice if this sled was smaller and much lighter but still have the same track. But I don’t think that kind of machine exists?
I’m really curious and excited about electric powered sleds and the future prospects there. The VK will very likely be the last gas powered work sled I’ll own.
That fuel line isn't where a primer would go. A primer actually needs to go directly into the carb. Priming into that connection that you pointed out will do nothing.
The tee fitting goes in the fuel line, that’s where the primer draws fuel from to then direct it down a second hose to the carb.
@@thatalaskaguy suction, yes.
Im debating gettin a vk, ive got a 22 850 pro 155 but sometines I just want to fart around, pull stuff and do work. The pro can do that stuff but is not the ideal machine.
If you can locate a VK I wouldn’t hesitate as it appears they won’t be available new after this season.
For doing work tasks and towing a big widetrack like the VK is a much better and easier to use machine than your 850. But, they are two completely different types of machine and each has its pros and cons. The VK won’t be anywhere near as fun to ride recreationally in the mountains as your 155, nor will it feel nimble in any way, shape or form. It’s like riding a 90’s 4WD four wheeler as it plods along and gets you where you need to go and can run over many alders and willows that get in the way.
I like my VK and was surprised by how much I ride it for fun. My longest track regular sled is a 600 RMK and I ride the VK away more often than it.
The biggest difference between the VK and your 155 besides the power will be the ability to back up in all different kinds of snow. It’s fricking amazing! Plus the widetrack gets so much traction that I seldom have issues with trenching out. It also takes less effort to ride though deep, unpacked snow as you can creep along in low range and not worry about trying to keep up your momentum or dealing with jumpy power and harsh belt engagement.
If at some point it stopped starting with the key, then the problem is in the relay on the battery. There is a thin wire there, it is not designed for such currents and it needs to be serviced
Thanks for the info. The problem comes and goes. It sometimes starts and other times nothing. Sometimes the e-start works when cold, first thing in the morning and other times it doesn’t until the sled is ridden around a while and warm under the hood. Even then, once warm, the e-start still works intermittently.
@@thatalaskaguy 100% wire inside the relay. I had a similar problem, I cleaned the connection point and the problem went away
@@thatalaskaguy the problem is not the temperature under the hood of the snowmobile
in the video, this is the relay on the battery that you showed, there is a problem
@@dim2026 would love to see a video of this as i am having the exact same issue with my VK 540 2020. Estart works intermittently.
I took those handles off. do not like the fact that the seat too often freezes to chassis
Mine too! Sometimes it’s difficult to get the seat broken free.
Yesterday the backrest kept snagging my boot as I was hopping back and forth over the seat riding through tight woods. I’m going to pull that dang thing off this weekend.
Hey does anyone know how much a VK540 (latest style) weighs? I keep looking but it’s like Yamaha doesn’t want anyone to know!
It’s a jaw dropping 730lbs! That is wet, ready to ride spec right out of the owner’s manual. I didn’t realize the big girl was quite that heavy!!
library.ymcapps.net/library/om/contents/pdf/13/8KX-28199-73_02.pdf
@@thatalaskaguy What?? That’s really heavy! If it wasn’t for the 20 inch wide track it would be a submarine under the snow! I guess the all steel chassis and frame does it. I wonder if the new Yamaha Transporter Lite 2up would do everything the VK does? It seems like a solid small workhorse with a beefy little single banger liquid engine.
@@normneufeld9688 Yeah! Crazy huh!? I was pretty shocked as well. I just looked up the weight of a gallon of gas and a quart of oil and the VK is packing roughly 75 lbs in gas and injector oil when fully filled. There’s probably another 5 or so pounds of oil for the shocks and chaincase. Therefore 730-80= 650lbs dry so that’s a little more relatable. But it’s a heavy sled, no way around that.
With the Transporter Lite it all depends what you want to do with it. It’s like comparing a Ford F-350 to a Ford Maverick. Both those trucks will haul people, haul things in the bed and tow but the F-350 can haul and tow a lot more.
Both the VK and T-Lite will haul a passenger, some stuff on the rear rack and pull a couple kids in a sled but a guy will find the limits of the T-Lite pretty quickly. The T-Lite just won’t have the floatation, traction or pulling power off trail that the VK does. For me the VK is generally way more sled than I need. But for those times I’m pulling a groomer, a broken down sled or breaking trail though deep snow (while occasionally also pulling those things) the VK is excellent at that task.
I actually seriously considered the Blast LT before buying the VK, but at that time the prices were not that far apart and the VK looked like a better, more capable value for the money but definitely not as fun or easy to ride.
@@thatalaskaguy Thanks for the thoughts regarding the TL. Some of my logic for the VK is for its simplicity and lack of computer etc. I just don't trust the sensors etc on the new sleds and feel like less to go wrong with the VK. I use for 1.. Getting firewood off our back woods 2. Ice fishing on Lake Winnipeg and 3. then some pleasure/trail riding. I haven't had it very long as I bought it last March. Probably not great of a machine for riding groomed trails with buddies but I'm in my 60's and dont need the speed rush like I did!
@@normneufeld9688 The VK sounds perfect for what you are doing and the level of technology you wanted. I too wanted a simple, easy to work on, basic sled that’ll still be running 40 years from now. The VK can feel tippy, especially at faster speeds but if you can find a pair, install some wider ski skins and that’ll help it feel much more stable. The TL is liquid cooled, power valve equipped, EFI higher stressed motor. It’ll have issues far sooner than the VK will.
buy one again? absolutely not. I cannot go anywhere w/o out a dozen spare plugs. fouls plugs every other trip.handles like a cement truck. Love my 600 ace tundra ak trapper. reliable and handles like a dream. I just cannot believe Yamaha can let something like this out the door. Have owned several Yamaha outboards and loved them. I liked the idea of simple and fan cooled and the great engine bay access. Dealer act s like I have the plague when ya try to talk about the issue. I do have the three year extended warranty. thinking about my next step. Mine is a 2020 model. 10K boat anchor as far as I am concerned.
I do not understand how you are having so many issues fouling plugs? Sounds like you need to go to a different dealer as it’s one of two things: 1. You have something drastically wrong with the carb or .2 You are not starting it correctly and using the choke in the wrong manner.
The sled is a basic, there simply isn’t much to go wrong with it. I’ve never fouled a plug with mine…. Never. The damn thing sat idling, unattended after start up for 15 minutes and still didn’t load up and foul.
Take the sled to someone else and have it looked at or sell it if it doesn’t bring you joy. You’ll get good money for it. Life is too short to own a sled that is bringing you this much frustration.
Not to nitpick, but this sounds like operator error. No way you should be fouling plugs like you are claiming. Makes zero sense. You leave the choke on too long on anything and you can foul plugs.
It's a single carb, and a hood that flips open how can anyone not figure out the problem? "It's the driver not the machine" my uncle's quote
I accidentally added this to the main comment section and deleted so this is where my comment is supposed to go.
I'm curious if you allow your sleds to come up to operating temp before you run'em. Are you running around with your sled on half choke all the time?
it is also very important to check the reliability of the bearing 93306-00507-00. This is a sore spot for them, it can grind everything
100 %, mine went around 4000 KM