KTM 250 SXF Won't start, Starter Button Not Working - Wiring Issue with Late Model SX-F Dirt Bike

Here we'll show you why your motocross bike won't start on the button. And the first thing to do to confirm it is the button before you start taking the bike apart.

This fix applies to late model 2 & 4 stroke KTM bikes.

BONUS Tip: How to prime the injectors before you hit the button! Save your electric starter!

[Croseb]

You are an absolute legend. I’ve watched probably a dozen videos trying to figure out why my FC 250 would not start and your suggestion with spinning the wheel in gear to check the overall system was a game changer. It ended up being a cut wire coming off the starter button’s wire harness.Thank you!!!

[batipapo]

Same exact issue here. Major thanks for the tip. Took just about the whole electrical apart and boom last thing was this broken cable. My wires were bent and zip tied and as my handlebar spins from left to right it puts a tremendous tension on the cable/cable harness causing the cable to split.

[seatroutadventures]

Thanks for sharing the "Prime the injector" tip. It helped me to solve my start issue.

Yesterday it was my turn to experience the "no start feature" on my FC 450 -22.
It has been a little shaky when starting the bike, long crank time about 5-10 sec, but this time it was cranking but the motor didn´t start. I did a 20 sec try, released the start button and tried again- nothing happened. As is nothing...
Very confused I brought some tool, took about 5 min, and just for fun I pressed the start button again. It cranked but the motor didn´t start. 2nd try nothing. OK battery you say.
Got some jump starter on, and tried again. Nothing. We set power directly on the start motor, it worked but motor didn´t start. We tested the solenoid, the start motor cranked. It didn´t start when we pushed the start button.
Back home I looked at the fuse, it was not burned. Checked battery. 13+ volts. Tested the "secret" test by put the bike in 2nd or 3rd gear and pulled the tire backwards, that should trigger the fuel pump. It didn´t start as expected.

So the symptoms was.
- start button had worked, but was now not working. It worked some times but just to engage the starter and then it just stop working.
- start cable down to the connector behind the number plate was working. The connector needed some cleaning and got some oil - still dead start button
- no broken wires
- battery OK
- fuel pump not starting when cranking
- fuse not blown

My issue was actually a bad fuse! You couldn´t see it, but it was bad. I used an instrument to check it, and there was no connection at all.
Changed the fuse, the bike started at once. I did the turn back wheel backwards, and the fuel pump started.

So check you fuse!!!!

[Mash_shorts-]

Thank you!! One of the wires coming off that white connector had completely snapped on mine but further back under the black part that is shrink wrapped. Not a clue how…. It’s a 2022 with only 20 hours on it

[Dirtbiker-guy]

Thank you! I had the exact same problem with my 2018 300XCW, sadly I purchased a new solenoid before seeing your video.

[Xcolombox]

thx dude lol
I've been messing with my ground for an hour. I didn't think of this

[davea]

Exactly same issue on 2021 FC 450, going to the track became a real workout.... I've dug around and all seemed fine and i've ended up at exactly the same point you are talking about. I'm going to try this - thanks for the vid - legend.

EDIT: So it was this but instead of breaking at the connector, it was the small brown wire itself had broken further down in the wiring harness (like it had been cut in half with wire cutters). Strange to me for a wire to able to do this taped up secure in a wiring harness but nonetheless it happened somehow.

[Mark-pyzc]

Thanks for this, it was the connector on mine, proved by bypassing it with a wire!!

[DarkTideOffroad]

Had same issue. Brown wire was cut. Replaced it, still didn't start. One of the black loop wires in the molex connector wasn't passing juice. Replaced that and it started. Thanks.

[samuelmurza]

Man you saved my butt really appreciate it

[AxisDSTC]

Cheers for the video! I will try this when I get home. But how do I bypass the white connector to the other side? Do I just hot wire the cables from one side to the other and bypass the white connector?

[fezenko]

Thanks! It's what was wrong with our 16 200 xcw. All looked fine until I pushed the wires into the plug and it started.

[justinadams]

Thanks for the help! I’ve got the same exact problem. How do you bypass the broken wires?

[justinblazevic]

So their is the black/white wire, orange wire, and the black looped wire. Which wires did you snip and connect together to bypass? Having the exact same issue you had

[samuelmurza]

If you are wondering it’s the same thing for a Husqvarna

[Mash_shorts-]

Are you able to show a video of how to bypass the connector?

[uncleale_]

hi, how do you bypass the broke wires? and what did you buy?

[knudsendriver]

Hi mate, thanks for the video!!!!
Had the same problem. Now the bike is running again.
Do the bridges have any sence, or can I connect the wires directly and leave the bridges out?
Greetings from Germany

[quietstorm]

Get video. Im chasing an electrical gremlin on my 2015 690 enduro r that won't start. I'm gonna give this a try

[Jordancapz]

Bypass meaning cut the wires from your switch and reconnecting to the wiring harness ?