2009 YAMAHA VMAX check engine

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-27
2
3
4
5
67
8
9
NOTICE

ECA10590
If any damage is found or the front
fork does not operate smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
pair it.
EAU23283
Checking the steering
Worn or loose steering bearings may
cause danger. Therefore, the operation
of the steering must be checked as fol-
lows at the intervals specified in the pe-
riodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
1. Place a stand under the engine to
raise the front wheel off the
ground. (See page 6-36 for more
information.)
WARNING! To
avoid injury, securely support
the vehicle so there is no danger
of it falling over.
[EWA10751]

2. Hold the lower ends of the front
fork legs and try to move them for-
ward and backward. If any free
play can be felt, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair the steering.

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-36
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

EAU46403
Replacing the auxiliary light
bulb
If the auxiliary light bulb burns out, re-
place it as follows.
1. Remove the headlight unit. (See
page 6-32.)
2. Remove the auxiliary light socket
(together with the bulb) by turning
it counterclockwise.
3. Remove the burnt-out bulb by pull-
ing it out of the socket.4. Insert a new bulb into the socket.
5. Install the auxiliary light socket (to-
gether with the bulb) by turning it
clockwise.
6. Install the headlight unit.
EAU24350
Supporting the motorcycle
Since this model is not equipped with a
centerstand, follow these precautions
when removing the front and rear
wheel or performing other maintenance
requiring the motorcycle to stand up-
right. Check that the motorcycle is in a
stable and level position before starting
any maintenance. A strong wooden
box can be placed under the engine for
added stability.
To service the front wheel
1. Stabilize the rear of the motorcycle
by using a motorcycle stand or, if
an additional motorcycle stand is
not available, by placing a jack un-
der the frame in front of the rear
wheel.
2. Raise the front wheel off the
ground by using a motorcycle
stand.
To service the rear wheel
Raise the rear wheel off the ground by
using a motorcycle stand or, if a motor-
cycle stand is not available, by placing
a jack either under each side of the

1. Auxiliary light bulb socket
1

1. Auxiliary light bulb
1

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-38
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

EAU46790
Troubleshooting charts
Starting problems or poor engine performance
Check the fuel level in
the fuel tank.1. Fuel
There is enough fuel.
There is no fuel.
Check the compression.
Supply fuel.
The engine does not start.
Check the compression.
Operate the electric starter.2. Compression
There is compression.
There is no compression.
Check the ignition.
Have a Yamaha dealer
check the vehicle.
Remove the spark plugs
and check the electrodes.3. Ignition
Wipe off with a dry cloth or replace the
spark plugs.
Have a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.
The engine does not start.
Have a Yamaha dealer
check the vehicle.
The engine does not start.
Check the battery.
Operate the electric starter.4. Battery
The engine turns over
quickly.
The engine turns over
slowly.
The battery is good.Check the battery lead connections,
and charge the battery if necessary.
DryWet
Operate the electric starter.

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-39
2
3
4
5
67
8
9 Engine overheating
WARNING

EWAT1040

Do not remove the radiator cap when the engine and radiator are hot. Scalding hot fluid and steam may be
blown out under pressure, which could cause serious injury. Be sure to wait until the engine has cooled.

Place a thick rag, like a towel, over the radiator cap, and then slowly rotate the cap counterclockwise to the de-
tent to allow any residual pressure to escape. When the hissing sound has stopped, press down on the cap
while turning it counterclockwise, and then remove the cap.
TIP

If coolant is not available, tap water can be temporarily used instead, provided that it is changed to the recommended coolant
as soon as possible.
Wait until the
engine has cooled.
Check the coolant level in the
reservoir and radiator.
The coolant level
is OK.The coolant level is low.
Check the cooling system
for leakage.
Have a Yamaha dealer checkand repair the cooling system.Add coolant. (See TIP.)
Start the engine. If the engine overheats again,
have a
Yamaha dealer check
and repair the cooling system.
There is
leakage.
There is
no leakage.

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-4
2
3
4
5
6
78
9

EAU26242
Storage
Short-term
Always store your motorcycle in a cool,
dry place and, if necessary, protect it
against dust with a porous cover.
NOTICE

ECA10810

Storing the motorcycle in a
poorly ventilated room or cover-
ing it with a tarp, while it is still
wet, will allow water and humid-
ity to seep in and cause rust.

To prevent corrosion, avoid
damp cellars, stables (because
of the presence of ammonia)
and areas where strong chemi-
cals are stored.
Long-term
Before storing your motorcycle for sev-
eral months:
1. Follow all the instructions in the
“Care” section of this chapter.
2. Fill up the fuel tank and add fuel
stabilizer (if available) to prevent
the fuel tank from rusting and thefuel from deteriorating.
3. Perform the following steps to pro-
tect the cylinders, piston rings, etc.
from corrosion.
a. Remove the spark plug caps
and spark plugs.
b. Pour a teaspoonful of engine oil
into each spark plug bore.
c. Install the spark plug caps onto
the spark plugs, and then place
the spark plugs on the cylinder
head so that the electrodes are
grounded. (This will limit spark-
ing during the next step.)
d. Turn the engine over several
times with the starter. (This will
coat the cylinder walls with oil.)
WARNING! To prevent dam-
age or injury from sparking,
make sure to ground the
spark plug electrodes while
turning the engine
over.
[EWA10951]

e. Remove the spark plug caps
from the spark plugs, and then
install the spark plugs and the
spark plug caps.
4. Lubricate all control cables and thepivoting points of all levers and
pedals as well as of the sidestand/
centerstand.
5. Check and, if necessary, correct
the tire air pressure, and then lift
the motorcycle so that both of its
wheels are off the ground. Alterna-
tively, turn the wheels a little every
month in order to prevent the tires
from becoming degraded in one
spot.
6. Cover the muffler outlets with plas-
tic bags to prevent moisture from
entering them.
7. Remove the battery and fully
charge it. Store it in a cool, dry
place and charge it once a month.
Do not store the battery in an ex-
cessively cold or warm place [less
than 0 °C (30 °F) or more than 30
°C (90 °F)]. For more information
on storing the battery, see page
6-28.
TIP

Make any necessary repairs before
storing the motorcycle.

INDEX
A
ABS ......................................................... 3-18
ABS warning light ...................................... 3-5
Air filter element....................................... 6-17
Anti-theft alarm (optional) ........................ 3-14
Auxiliary light bulb, replacing ................... 6-36
B
Battery ..................................................... 6-28
Brake and clutch fluids, changing ............ 6-24
Brake and clutch levers, checking and
lubricating .............................................. 6-25
Brake fluid level, checking ....................... 6-23
Brake lever .............................................. 3-17
Brake pedal ............................................. 3-18
Brake pedal, checking and lubricating ..... 6-25
C
Cables, checking and lubricating ............. 6-24
Care ........................................................... 7-1
Catalytic converters ................................. 3-22
Clutch lever.................................... 3-16
,
6-21
Coolant .................................................... 6-14
Coolant temperature warning light............. 3-4
Cowling and panels, removing and
installing .................................................. 6-6
D
Dimmer switch ......................................... 3-15
E
Engine break-in ......................................... 5-3
Engine idling speed, checking ................. 6-17
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ................ 6-9
Engine stop switch................................... 3-15
Engine trouble warning light ...................... 3-4
EXUP system .......................................... 3-28
F
Final gear oil ............................................ 6-12
Front and rear brake pads, checking....... 6-22
Front brake lever free play, checking ...... 6-21
Front fork, adjusting................................. 3-24
Front fork, checking ................................. 6-26
Fuel ......................................................... 3-20
Fuel level warning light .............................. 3-4
Fuel tank cap ........................................... 3-19
Fuses, replacing ...................................... 6-31
H
Handlebar switches ................................. 3-15
Hazard switch .......................................... 3-16
Headlight bulb, replacing ......................... 6-32
High beam indicator light ........................... 3-3
Horn switch.............................................. 3-15
I
Identification numbers ............................... 9-1
Ignition circuit cut-off system ................... 3-29
Immobilizer system.................................... 3-1
Immobilizer system indicator light ............. 3-5
Indicator and warning lights....................... 3-3
K
Key identification number .......................... 9-1
L
License plate light bulb, replacing ........... 6-35
Luggage strap holders............................. 3-28
M
Main switch/steering lock .......................... 3-2
Matte color, caution ................................... 7-1
Model label ................................................ 9-2
Multi-function display ................................. 3-6
N
Neutral indicator light................................. 3-3
O
Oil level warning light ................................ 3-3
P
Parking ...................................................... 5-3
Part locations ............................................ 2-1
Pass switch ............................................. 3-15
Periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart ........................................................ 6-2
R
Rear brake light switch, adjusting ........... 6-22
S
Safety information ..................................... 1-1
Seats ....................................................... 3-22
Shifting ...................................................... 5-2
Shift pedal ............................................... 3-17
Shift pedal, checking and lubricating ...... 6-26
Shock absorber assembly, adjusting ...... 3-26
Sidestand ................................................ 3-29
Sidestand, checking and lubricating ....... 6-26
Spark plugs, checking ............................... 6-8
Specifications ............................................ 8-1
Speedometer unit...................................... 3-5
Starting the engine .................................... 5-1
Start switch ............................................. 3-15
Steering, checking .................................. 6-27
Storage ..................................................... 7-4
Supporting the motorcycle ...................... 6-36
T
Tail/brake light......................................... 6-34
Throttle cable free play, checking ........... 6-17
Throttle grip and cable, checking and
lubricating ............................................. 6-24
Tires ........................................................ 6-18
Tool kit ...................................................... 6-1