2003 YAMAHA YZ250F oil

6 - 4
–+ELEC

IGNITION SYSTEM
SPARK GAP TEST
1. Disconnect the spark plug cap from spark
plug.
2. Remove the ignition coil cap.
3. Connect the dynamic spark tester
1
(ignition checker
2
) as shown.

Ignition coil
3


Spark plug
4

Å
For USA and CDN
ı
Except for USA and CDN
4. Kick the kickstarter crank.
5. Check the ignition spark gap.
6. Start engine, and increase spark gap until
misfire occurs. (for USA and CDN only)
Minimum spark gap:
6.0 mm (0.24 in)
Å
ı

COUPLERS, LEADS AND IGNITION COIL
CONNECTION INSPECTION
1. Check:

Couplers and leads connection
Rust/dust/looseness/short-circuit
→

Repair or replace.

Ignition coil and spark plug as they are
fitted
Push in the ignition coil until it closely
contacts the spark plug hole in the cyl-
inder head cover.
ENGINE STOP SWITCH INSPECTION
1. Inspect:

Engine stop switch conduct
No continuous while being pushed
→
Replace.
Continuous while being freed
→
Replace.
Tester (+) lead
→
Black/White lead
1

Tester (–) lead
→
Black lead
2

B/W
1
B
2
Tester selec-
tor position
PUSH IN
Ω

×
1
FREE
B/W B
11 2 2

6 - 5
–+ELEC

IGNITION SYSTEM
EC626002
IGNITION COIL INSPECTION
1. Inspect:

Primary coil resistance
Out of specification
→
Replace.
Tester (+) lead
→
Orange lead
1

Tester (–) lead
→
Black lead
2

Primary coil
resistanceTester selector
position
0.08 ~ 0.10
Ω
at
20 ˚C (68 ˚F)Ω × 1
2. Inspect:
Secondary coil resistance
Out of specification → Replace.
3. Inspect:
Sealed portion of ignition coil a
Spark plug terminal pin b
Threaded portion of spark plug c
Wear → Replace.
CDI MAGNETO INSPECTION
1. Inspect:
Pickup coil resistance
Out of specification → Replace. Tester (+) lead → Spark plug terminal 1
Tester (–) lead → Orange lead 2
Secondary coil
resistanceTester selector
position
4.6 ~ 6.8 kΩ at
20 ˚C (68 ˚F)kΩ × 1
Tester (+) lead → Red lead 1
Tester (–) lead → White lead 2
Pickup coil
resistanceTester selector
position
248 ~ 372 Ω at
20 ˚C (68 ˚F)Ω × 100
W
RBr
GP
B
1 2
21

6 - 6
–+ELECIGNITION SYSTEM
2. Inspect:
Charging coil 1 resistance
Out of specification → Replace.
3. Inspect:
Charging coil 2 resistance
Out of specification → Replace. Tester (+) lead → Brown lead 1
Tester (–) lead → Green lead 2
Charging coil 1
resistanceTester selector
position
720 ~ 1,080 Ω
at 20 ˚C (68 ˚F)Ω × 100
Tester (+) lead → Pink lead 1
Tester (–) lead → Black lead 2
Charging coil 2
resistanceTester selector
position
44 ~ 66 Ω at
20 ˚C (68 ˚F)Ω × 10
W
RBr
GP
B
2 1
21
2 1
W
RBr
GP
B
21
NEUTRAL SWITCH INSPECTION
1. Inspect:
Neutral switch conduct
No continuous while in neutral → Replace.
Continuous while in gear → Replace.
EC628000
CDI UNIT INSPECTION
Check all electrical components. If no fault is
found, replace the CDI unit. Then check the
electrical components again.Tester (+) lead → Sky blue lead 1
Tester (–) lead → Ground 2
Sb
1Ground
2Tester selec-
tor position
NEUTRALΩ × 1IN GEAR
2 1

–+ELEC
6 - 7
THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR SYSTEM
THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR SYSTEM
INSPECTION STEPS
If the throttle position sensor will not operate, use the following inspection steps.
*marked: Refer to “IGNITION SYSTEM” section.
NOTE:
Use the following special tools in this inspection.
Pocket tester:
YU-3112-C/90890-03112Inductive tachometer:
YU-8036-B
Engine tachometer:
90890-03113
Check entire ignition
system for connection.Repair or replace.
Check throttle position
sensor.Throttle posi-
tion sensor coilReplace.
*Check CDI magneto. Charging coil Replace.
Check CDI unit.Throttle posi-
tion sensor
input voltageReplace.
OK
OK
OK
No good
No good
No good
No good

6 - 8
–+ELECTHROTTLE POSITION SENSOR SYSTEM
HANDLING NOTE
CAUTION:
Do not loosen the screws (throttle position
sensor) 1 except when changing the throt-
tle position sensor due to failure because it
will cause a drop in engine performance.
1
EC624000
COUPLERS AND LEADS CONNECTION
INSPECTION
1. Check:
Couplers and leads connection
Rust/dust/looseness/short-circuit →
Repair or replace.
THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR COIL
INSPECTION
1. Inspect:
Throttle position sensor coil resistance
Out of specification → Replace.
Tester (+) lead → Blue lead 1
Tester (–) lead → Black lead 2
Throttle posi-
tion sensor coil
resistanceTester selector
position
4 ~ 6 kΩ at
20 ˚C (68 ˚F)kΩ × 1
2. Loosen:
Throttle stop screw 1
NOTE:
Turn out the throttle stop screw until the throt-
tle shaft is in the full close position.

6 - 9
–+ELECTHROTTLE POSITION SENSOR SYSTEM
3. Inspect:
Throttle position sensor coil variable
resistance
Check that the resistance in increased
as the throttle grip is moved from the
full close position to the full open posi-
tion.
Out of specification → Replace.
Tester (+) lead → Yellow lead 1
Tester (–) lead → Black lead 2
Throttle position sen-
sor coil variable
resistanceTester
selector
position
Full closedFull opened
kΩ × 1 Zero ~ 3 kΩ
at 20 ˚C
(68 ˚F)4 ~ 6 kΩ at
20 ˚C
(68 ˚F)
THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR
REPLACEMENT AND ADJUSTMENT
1. Remove:
Throttle position sensor coupler
Screw (throttle position sensor) 1
Throttle position sensor 2
NOTE:
Loosen the screws (throttle position sensor)
using the T25 bit.
2. Replace:
Throttle position sensor
12
3. Install:
Throttle position sensor 1
Screw (throttle position sensor) 2
NOTE:
Align the slot a in the throttle position sen-
sor with the projection b on the carburetor.
Temporarily tighten the screws (throttle posi-
tion sensor).
21
b
a

7 - 13
TUNSETTING
EC722011
Front fork setting
The front fork setting should be made depend-
ing on the rider’s feeling of an actual run and
the circuit conditions.
The front fork setting includes the following
three factors:
1. Setting of air spring characteristics
Change the fork oil level.
2. Setting of spring preload
Change the spring.
Install the adjustment washer.
3. Setting of damping force
Change the compression damping.
Change the rebound damping.
The spring acts on the load and the
damping force acts on the cushion
travel speed.
EC723001
Change in level and characteristics of fork
oil
Damping characteristic near the final stroke can
be changed by changing the fork oil amount.
CAUTION:
Adjust the oil level in 5 mm (0.2 in) incre-
ments or decrements. Too low oil level
causes the front fork to produce a noise at
full rebound or the rider to feel some pres-
sure on his hands or body. Alternatively,
too high oil level will develop unexpectedly
early oil lock with the consequent shorter
front fork travel and deteriorated perfor-
mance an characteristics. Therefore, adjust
the front fork within the specified range.
* For EUROPE
ÅAir spring characteristics in relation to oil level
change
ıLoad
ÇStroke
1Max. oil level
2Standard oil level
3Min. oil level
Standard oil level:
140 mm (5.51 in)
* 130 mm (5.12 in)
Extent of adjustment:
80 ~ 150 mm (3.15 ~ 5.91 in)
From top of outer tube with
inner tube and damper rod fully
compressed without spring.

7 - 21
TUNSETTING
EC72H002
Suspension setting
Front fork
NOTE:
If any of the following symptoms is experienced with the standard position as the base, make
resetting by reference to the adjustment procedure given in the same chart.
Before any change, set the rear shock absorber sunken length to the standard figure 90 ~
100 mm (3.5 ~ 3.9 in).
SymptomSection
Check Adjust
JumpLarge
gapMedium
gapSmall
gap
Stiff over entire range

Compression damping
Oil level (oil amount)
SpringTurn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Decrease oil level by about 5 ~ 10 mm (0.2 ~ 0.4 in).
Replace with soft spring.
Unsmooth movement
over entire range

Outer tube
Inner tube
Under bracket tightening
torqueCheck for any bends, dents, and other noticeable
scars, etc. If any, replace affected parts.
Retighten to specified torque.
Poor initial
movement

Rebound damping
Oil sealTurn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Apply grease in oil seal wall.
Soft over entire range,
bottoming out

Compression damping
Oil level (oil amount)
SpringTurn adjuster clockwise (about 2 clicks) to increase
damping.
Increase oil level by about 5 ~ 10 mm (0.2 ~ 0.4 in).
Replace with stiff spring.
Stiff toward stroke end
Oil level (oil amount) Decrease oil level by about 5 mm (0.2 in).
Soft toward stroke end,
bottoming out
Oil level (oil amount) Increase oil level by about 5 mm (0.2 in).
Stiff initial movement
Compression dampingTurn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Low front, tending to
lower front posture

Compression damping
Rebound damping
Balance with rear end
Oil level (oil amount)Turn adjuster clockwise (about 2 clicks) to increase
damping.
Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Set sunken length for 95 ~ 100 mm (3.7 ~ 3.9 in) when
one passenger is astride seat (lower rear posture).
Increase oil level by about 5 mm (0.2 in).
“Obtrusive” front, tend-
ing to upper front pos-
ture

Compression damping
Balance with rear end
Spring
Oil lever (oil amount)Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Set sunken length for 90 ~ 95 mm (3.5 ~ 3.7 in) when
one passenger is astride seat (upper rear posture).
Replace with soft spring.
Decrease oil level by about 5 ~ 10 mm (0.2 ~ 0.4 in).