2018 crf250r STARTING PROBLEM FIX

sledneck43
Edited Date/Time 7/9/2022 5:52am
Hello I am new to the forum!
I know that there are many threads on this already but I’ve been scattering trying to find all the information I am looking for.
So I just picked up a last years model 2018 crf 250r only put 1.2 hours on the bike. And it is pretty hard to start when cold, as soon as it’s warmed up fires up no problem.
Battery is charged
Air filter is spotless
Fresh premium gas in the bike,
I know it is cold here is Canada this time of year but it’s a fuel injected bike and man this thing shouldn’t be so hard to start.

Also any helpful tips that have been discovered about this bike would be really helpful and fixes would be awesome!
Thanks, liam
|
Rohr144
Profile picture for user Rohr144
Posts
236
Joined
10/17/2017
Location
Wentzville, MO US
Rohr144 3/31/2019 2:24pm
3/31/2019 2:24pm
A buddy of mine had to get a new battery for his 18 crf250r, after maybe 5 hours on the bike. Now it starts up no problem. Just a thought.
Paul_Pitzonka
Profile picture for user Paul_Pitzonka
Posts
693
Joined
5/1/2018
Location
Grand Terrace, CA US
Paul_Pitzonka 3/31/2019 3:39pm
3/31/2019 3:39pm
sledneck43 wrote:
Hello I am new to the forum! I know that there are many threads on this already but I’ve been scattering trying to find all the...
Hello I am new to the forum!
I know that there are many threads on this already but I’ve been scattering trying to find all the information I am looking for.
So I just picked up a last years model 2018 crf 250r only put 1.2 hours on the bike. And it is pretty hard to start when cold, as soon as it’s warmed up fires up no problem.
Battery is charged
Air filter is spotless
Fresh premium gas in the bike,
I know it is cold here is Canada this time of year but it’s a fuel injected bike and man this thing shouldn’t be so hard to start.

Also any helpful tips that have been discovered about this bike would be really helpful and fixes would be awesome!
Thanks, liam
Crf’s have known weak batteries from the factory(as stated above), or the TPS may be set too lean (does it die easily or decel pop?) the cold air would definitely exaggerate that problem... Also check to see if your bike has had the recall performed on the clutch basket, they love to explode on that model.
sledneck43 4/1/2019 5:36am
4/1/2019 5:36am
sledneck43 wrote:
Hello I am new to the forum! I know that there are many threads on this already but I’ve been scattering trying to find all the...
Hello I am new to the forum!
I know that there are many threads on this already but I’ve been scattering trying to find all the information I am looking for.
So I just picked up a last years model 2018 crf 250r only put 1.2 hours on the bike. And it is pretty hard to start when cold, as soon as it’s warmed up fires up no problem.
Battery is charged
Air filter is spotless
Fresh premium gas in the bike,
I know it is cold here is Canada this time of year but it’s a fuel injected bike and man this thing shouldn’t be so hard to start.

Also any helpful tips that have been discovered about this bike would be really helpful and fixes would be awesome!
Thanks, liam
Paul_Pitzonka wrote:
Crf’s have known weak batteries from the factory(as stated above), or the TPS may be set too lean (does it die easily or decel pop?) the...
Crf’s have known weak batteries from the factory(as stated above), or the TPS may be set too lean (does it die easily or decel pop?) the cold air would definitely exaggerate that problem... Also check to see if your bike has had the recall performed on the clutch basket, they love to explode on that model.
Well now that you say that I did hear a bit of back firing almost on deceleration I was riding with some other guys and I thought it was their bikes to be honest, I recharged the battery and left it maintaining for a few hours inside in the house to let it warm up too, I think my issue may be the weak battery as mentioned above aswell. I think I’m gonna give that a try, I also emailed the dealer to see if the recall has been done on the bike,

I’ve also heard about oil pick up issues on these bikes does anyone know anything about that? I’ve heard people say to run 300ml extra of oil but I’m really not too sure about that,
Crower
Profile picture for user Crower
Posts
4
Joined
11/18/2018
Location
SE
Crower 4/1/2019 8:08am
4/1/2019 8:08am
sledneck43 wrote:
Hello I am new to the forum! I know that there are many threads on this already but I’ve been scattering trying to find all the...
Hello I am new to the forum!
I know that there are many threads on this already but I’ve been scattering trying to find all the information I am looking for.
So I just picked up a last years model 2018 crf 250r only put 1.2 hours on the bike. And it is pretty hard to start when cold, as soon as it’s warmed up fires up no problem.
Battery is charged
Air filter is spotless
Fresh premium gas in the bike,
I know it is cold here is Canada this time of year but it’s a fuel injected bike and man this thing shouldn’t be so hard to start.

Also any helpful tips that have been discovered about this bike would be really helpful and fixes would be awesome!
Thanks, liam
Do you use the cold start plug on the injection?

The Shop

See All »
sledneck43 4/1/2019 8:14am
4/1/2019 8:14am
sledneck43 wrote:
Hello I am new to the forum! I know that there are many threads on this already but I’ve been scattering trying to find all the...
Hello I am new to the forum!
I know that there are many threads on this already but I’ve been scattering trying to find all the information I am looking for.
So I just picked up a last years model 2018 crf 250r only put 1.2 hours on the bike. And it is pretty hard to start when cold, as soon as it’s warmed up fires up no problem.
Battery is charged
Air filter is spotless
Fresh premium gas in the bike,
I know it is cold here is Canada this time of year but it’s a fuel injected bike and man this thing shouldn’t be so hard to start.

Also any helpful tips that have been discovered about this bike would be really helpful and fixes would be awesome!
Thanks, liam
Crower wrote:
Do you use the cold start plug on the injection?
Yes I did, I’m thinking because it is a lithium battery that could be part of the issue aswell, I know they don’t like the cold and they lose a bunch of power that way aswell.
Paul_Pitzonka
Profile picture for user Paul_Pitzonka
Posts
693
Joined
5/1/2018
Location
Grand Terrace, CA US
Paul_Pitzonka 4/1/2019 9:03am
4/1/2019 9:03am
sledneck43 wrote:
Hello I am new to the forum! I know that there are many threads on this already but I’ve been scattering trying to find all the...
Hello I am new to the forum!
I know that there are many threads on this already but I’ve been scattering trying to find all the information I am looking for.
So I just picked up a last years model 2018 crf 250r only put 1.2 hours on the bike. And it is pretty hard to start when cold, as soon as it’s warmed up fires up no problem.
Battery is charged
Air filter is spotless
Fresh premium gas in the bike,
I know it is cold here is Canada this time of year but it’s a fuel injected bike and man this thing shouldn’t be so hard to start.

Also any helpful tips that have been discovered about this bike would be really helpful and fixes would be awesome!
Thanks, liam
Paul_Pitzonka wrote:
Crf’s have known weak batteries from the factory(as stated above), or the TPS may be set too lean (does it die easily or decel pop?) the...
Crf’s have known weak batteries from the factory(as stated above), or the TPS may be set too lean (does it die easily or decel pop?) the cold air would definitely exaggerate that problem... Also check to see if your bike has had the recall performed on the clutch basket, they love to explode on that model.
sledneck43 wrote:
Well now that you say that I did hear a bit of back firing almost on deceleration I was riding with some other guys and I...
Well now that you say that I did hear a bit of back firing almost on deceleration I was riding with some other guys and I thought it was their bikes to be honest, I recharged the battery and left it maintaining for a few hours inside in the house to let it warm up too, I think my issue may be the weak battery as mentioned above aswell. I think I’m gonna give that a try, I also emailed the dealer to see if the recall has been done on the bike,

I’ve also heard about oil pick up issues on these bikes does anyone know anything about that? I’ve heard people say to run 300ml extra of oil but I’m really not too sure about that,
if you’re hearing decel pop on a new bike it’s more than likely that the TPS is set too low in the range causing it to be lean... But yes, definitely replace that factory battery first they are terrible...
1
sledneck43 4/1/2019 10:49pm
4/1/2019 10:49pm
Thanks for all the help guys I think I’ve got it figured out gonna bring it to dealer for the clutch recall anyway so I’ll talk to them about the tps while I’m at it!
harescrambled 4/5/2019 3:41pm
4/5/2019 3:41pm
sledneck43 wrote:
Thanks for all the help guys I think I’ve got it figured out gonna bring it to dealer for the clutch recall anyway so I’ll talk...
Thanks for all the help guys I think I’ve got it figured out gonna bring it to dealer for the clutch recall anyway so I’ll talk to them about the tps while I’m at it!
You might want to look into getting your ECU reprogrammed as well. I had Phoenix Honda Racing do some custom mapping on my 2018 CRF450RX, and it eliminated flameout issues, and the decel pop. Also smoothed out the response quite a bit. Also, if you have to haul anywhere to go ride and it's cold, pull the battery and keep it in your heated passenger compartment in your truck/hauler. starting will be easier
1
sledneck43 4/28/2019 3:50pm
4/28/2019 3:50pm
Figured I’d update everybody on how everything went, so I got the clutch recall done and was told “lithium batteries don’t like the cold”. Anyway I started looking into it deeper and saw the starter grounds through the case and doesn’t have a ground wire.
So I ran a wire from the negative battery terminal down to the starter mounting/ground bolt and followed the stock wire routing to keep it clean and tidy,
Now it cranks way quicker and fires up right away no problem at all,
3
CarlinoJoeVideo
Profile picture for user CarlinoJoeVideo
Posts
7519
Joined
11/30/2013
Location
Portland/Los Angeles, CA US
CarlinoJoeVideo 8/30/2019 10:22pm
8/30/2019 10:22pm
Hey guys, bringing this back to life as I’m having a similar problem on a 2019 CRF250r and I’m stumped!

Rode the last 2 days, hit 33 hours and after my moto the e start won’t crank. Just click once at the starter relay and nothing. Sometimes the starter will turn a 1/8 or 1/4 but that’s all. It will bump start easy and run fine. Fuel pump turns in every time.

-It’s got Firepower battery that is full, also tried the oem and jumping it with an extra power supply.

-Tried to disconnect kill switch

-Checked main fuse

-Auto Decompressor is in tack and moves freely.

-I removed the spark plug and still nothing(I was thinking the auto decompression broke.

-tried grounding the starter to negative battery, still nothing.

Any thoughts before I buy a starter relay and starter?
Paul_Pitzonka
Profile picture for user Paul_Pitzonka
Posts
693
Joined
5/1/2018
Location
Grand Terrace, CA US
Paul_Pitzonka 8/30/2019 10:38pm
8/30/2019 10:38pm
CarlinoJoeVideo wrote:
Hey guys, bringing this back to life as I’m having a similar problem on a 2019 CRF250r and I’m stumped! Rode the last 2 days, hit...
Hey guys, bringing this back to life as I’m having a similar problem on a 2019 CRF250r and I’m stumped!

Rode the last 2 days, hit 33 hours and after my moto the e start won’t crank. Just click once at the starter relay and nothing. Sometimes the starter will turn a 1/8 or 1/4 but that’s all. It will bump start easy and run fine. Fuel pump turns in every time.

-It’s got Firepower battery that is full, also tried the oem and jumping it with an extra power supply.

-Tried to disconnect kill switch

-Checked main fuse

-Auto Decompressor is in tack and moves freely.

-I removed the spark plug and still nothing(I was thinking the auto decompression broke.

-tried grounding the starter to negative battery, still nothing.

Any thoughts before I buy a starter relay and starter?
If you jump power straight to the starter does it engage? If not then I’d assume the starters damaged... if It does then it’s more than likely a problem with the relay or power delivery to the starter... how much voltage are you seeing in and out of the relay?
CarlinoJoeVideo
Profile picture for user CarlinoJoeVideo
Posts
7519
Joined
11/30/2013
Location
Portland/Los Angeles, CA US
CarlinoJoeVideo 8/31/2019 12:12am
8/31/2019 12:12am
I tried running power from the battery direct to starter but nothing happened. Also tried a jump starter kit.

How would you do it, not sure if I did it correct.

To check the voltage in and out, is that the relay where the main fuse are?
Paul_Pitzonka
Profile picture for user Paul_Pitzonka
Posts
693
Joined
5/1/2018
Location
Grand Terrace, CA US
Paul_Pitzonka 8/31/2019 12:30am
8/31/2019 12:30am
ground the case of the starter to the negative lead and touch the lug with the positive lead should make it engage... and yes see if you have the same voltage coming in and out of the relay/ solenoid while pushing the starter button...
CarlinoJoeVideo
Profile picture for user CarlinoJoeVideo
Posts
7519
Joined
11/30/2013
Location
Portland/Los Angeles, CA US
CarlinoJoeVideo 8/31/2019 8:10am
8/31/2019 8:10am
Paul_Pitzonka wrote:
ground the case of the starter to the negative lead and touch the lug with the positive lead should make it engage... and yes see if...
ground the case of the starter to the negative lead and touch the lug with the positive lead should make it engage... and yes see if you have the same voltage coming in and out of the relay/ solenoid while pushing the starter button...
K, thank you for the advice. I’ll check when I’m back from the holiday weekend.
Lasse
Profile picture for user Lasse
Posts
607
Joined
11/5/2015
Location
DK
Lasse 8/31/2019 4:43pm
8/31/2019 4:43pm
How does one adjust the TPS?
KTMRider533
Profile picture for user KTMRider533
Posts
2
Joined
5/3/2020
Location
Canton, OH US
KTMRider533 7/9/2022 5:51am
7/9/2022 5:51am
sledneck43 wrote:
Thanks for all the help guys I think I’ve got it figured out gonna bring it to dealer for the clutch recall anyway so I’ll talk...
Thanks for all the help guys I think I’ve got it figured out gonna bring it to dealer for the clutch recall anyway so I’ll talk to them about the tps while I’m at it!
So what was the fix? You didnt realy state the specif fix but later mentioned you ran an additional ground wire to the starter. Was that the fix and if so what did the wire improve? Did the motor rotate faster when is was cold vs hot?

folks love to ask for help on these forums and then when they resolve their issues they arent so good about explaining the fix, if at all.

please update you fix so that the people searching for answers after the fact can get good info here

thanks
1
1

Pit Row

See All »
pthomas275
Profile picture for user pthomas275
Posts
1
Joined
10/16/2022
Location
Rainier, WA US
pthomas275 10/16/2022 11:59am
10/16/2022 11:59am
Hey there, I too experienced the situation where my 18’ 250r would not crank over but could bump start the bike.

I disconnected the kill switch with out any changes to it cranking over.

I replaced the original battery.

I grounded the starter with a jumper wire.

I tested voltage at the starter relay/ switch and had 13.2 bolts only on 1 side of the termination post when the start button was pressed in. So I used the same jumper wire across the 2 termination posts on the starter relay and the engine cranked over. So I just ordered a new relay.
1
mattworthing 2/21/2023 7:06pm
2/21/2023 7:06pm

pthomas, did the starter relay help you? Our situation sounds exactly like yours. We replaced the starter relay, but it did not help. Today we were messing with the starter (unscrewed it) and discovered the starter will turn the engine over if we push the starter in about an 1/8 inch. If we pull it back out an 1/8 to line up the two mounting screws, it won't start.

Post a reply to: 2018 crf250r STARTING PROBLEM FIX