2020 YAMAHA VX-C check engine

Important manual information
EJU30193
To the owner/operator
Thank you for choosing a Yamaha watercraft.
This owner’s/operator’s manual contains in-
formation you will need for proper operation,
maintenance, and care. If you have any ques-
tions about the operation or maintenance of
your watercraft, please consult a Yamaha
dealer.
This manual is not a course on boating safety
or seamanship. If this is your first watercraft,
or if you are changing to a type of watercraft
you are not familiar with, for your own com-
fort and safety, please ensure that you obtain
proper training or practice before operating
the watercraft by yourself. In addition, a
Yamaha dealer or boating organization will be
pleased to recommend local sea schools, or
competent instructors.
In this manual, information of particular im-
portance is distinguished in the following
ways:
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used
to alert you to potential personal injury haz-
ards. Obey all safety messages that follow
this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.
WARNING
EWJ00072
A WARNING indicates a hazardous situa-
tion which, if not avoided, could result in
death or serious injury.
NOTICE
ECJ00092
A NOTICE indicates special precautions
that must be taken to avoid damage to the
watercraft or other property.
TIP:
A TIP provides key information to make pro-
cedures easier or clearer.
EJU45451
Engine data recording
This model’s ECM stores certain engine data
to assist in the diagnosis of malfunctions and
for research, statistical analysis and develop-
ment purposes.
Although the sensors and recorded data will
vary by model, the main data points are:
Engine status and engine performance
data
This data will be uploaded only when a spe-
cial Yamaha diagnostic tool is attached to the
engine, such as when maintenance checks or
service procedures are performed. Engine
data uploaded will be handled appropriately
according to the following Privacy Policy.
Privacy Policy
Yamaha will not disclose this data to a third
party except in the following cases. In addi-
tion, Yamaha may provide engine data to a
contractor in order to outsource services re-
lated to the handling of the engine data. Even
in this case, Yamaha will require the contrac-
tor to properly handle the engine data we
provided and Yamaha will appropriately
manage the data.
With the consent of the boat owner
Where obligated by law
For use by Yamaha in litigation
For general Yamaha-conducted research
purposes when the data is not related to an
individual engine or owner
https://www.yamaha-motor.eu/eu/
privacy/privacy-policy.aspx
UF4G74E0.book Page 2 Tuesday, July 16, 2019 10:27 AM

Table of contents
Draining the bilge water ................ 55
Draining the bilge water on land ...... 55
Draining the bilge water on water .... 55
Transporting on a trailer ................ 56
First-time operation ........................ 57
Engine break-in ............................. 57
Pre-operation checks ..................... 58
Pre-operation checklist .................... 58
Pre-operation check points........... 60
Pre-launch checks ........................... 60
Post-launch checks ......................... 66
Operation ......................................... 68
Operating your watercraft ............. 68
Getting to know your watercraft ...... 68
Learning to operate your
watercraft ...................................... 68
Riding position ................................. 69
Launching the watercraft ................. 69
Starting the engine on water ............ 69
Stopping the engine ......................... 70
Leaving the watercraft...................... 70
Operating the watercraft .................. 70
Turning the watercraft ...................... 71
Stopping the watercraft ................... 73
Operating the watercraft in reverse
or neutral (VX / VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser / VX Limited)................ 74
Boarding the watercraft ................... 74
Starting off........................................ 77
Capsized watercraft ......................... 78
Beaching and docking the
watercraft ...................................... 78
Operating in weeded areas .............. 79
After removing the watercraft from
the water ....................................... 80
Care and storage............................. 81
Post-operation care ...................... 81
Flushing the cooling water
passages....................................... 81
Cleaning the watercraft .................... 82Battery care ...................................... 82
Long-term storage ........................ 85
Cleaning ........................................... 85
Lubrication ....................................... 85
Rustproofing ..................................... 85
Maintenance .................................... 87
Maintenance ................................. 87
Periodic maintenance chart ............. 88
Engine oil and oil filter ...................... 90
Specifications .................................. 91
Specifications ............................... 91
Trouble recovery ............................. 92
Troubleshooting ............................ 92
Troubleshooting chart ...................... 92
Emergency procedures ................ 95
Cleaning the jet intake and
impeller ......................................... 95
Raising the reverse gate (VX /
VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser /
VX Limited) .................................... 96
Jumping the battery ......................... 96
Towing the watercraft....................... 97
Submerged watercraft ..................... 97
Index................................................. 99
UF4G74E0.book Page 2 Tuesday, July 16, 2019 10:27 AM

Safety information
13
in certain kinds of accidents and that it
could injure you in others.
A helmet is designed to provide some head
protection. Although helmets cannot pro-
tect against all foreseeable impacts, a hel-
met might reduce your injuries in a collision
with a boat or other obstacle.
A helmet may have potential safety haz-
ards, as well. Falling into the water could
risk the chance of the helmet catching wa-
ter, commonly known as “bucketing”, and
the resulting strain on your neck could cau-
se choking, severe and permanent neck in-
juries, or death. A helmet could also
increase the risk of an accident if it reduces
your vision or hearing, or if it distracts you
or increases your fatigue.
How should you decide if a helmet’s poten-
tial safety benefits outweigh its potential
risks for you? Consider your particular rid-
ing conditions. Consider factors such as
your riding environment and your riding
style and ability. Also consider the likeli-
hood of traffic congestion, and the water
surface conditions.
If you decide to wear a helmet based upon
your riding circumstances, choose one
carefully. Look for a helmet designed for
personal watercraft use, if possible. If you
will be engaging in closed-course competi-
tion, follow the helmet requirements of the
sanctioning organization.
Never operate the watercraft after consum-
ing alcohol or taking other drugs.
For reasons of safety and proper care of
the watercraft, always perform the pre-op-
eration checks listed on page 58 before op-
erating the watercraft.
The operator should grip the handlebars
firmly with both hands and the passengers
should hold on firmly, either to the personin front of them or to the handgrip provid-
ed.
The operator and passengers should al-
ways keep their feet on the floor of the foot-
well when the watercraft is in motion.
Lifting your feet increases the chances of
losing your balance, or hitting objects out-
side the watercraft with your feet. Do not
give a ride to children if their feet cannot
reach the floor of the footwell.
Never allow a passenger to ride in front of
the operator.
Always consult your doctor on whether it is
safe for you to ride this watercraft if you are
pregnant or in poor health.
Do not attempt to modify this watercraft.
Modifications to your watercraft may re-
duce safety and reliability, and render the
watercraft unsafe or illegal for use.
Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) to
y o u r l ef t w r is t an d k ee p i t fr e e f r o m t h e h an -
dlebars so that the engine stops if you, the
operator, fall off. After riding, remove the
engine shut-off cord (lanyard) from the wa-
UF4G74E0.book Page 13 Tuesday, July 16, 2019 10:27 AM

Safety information
16
help keep the watercraft from moving in ei-
ther direction, although some movement
may occur.
VX / VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited:
To avoid rear-end collisions while operat-
ing the watercraft, check behind you be-
fore using the RiDE lever to slow down or
stop the watercraft. Make sure that there
are no obstacles or people behind you be-
fore shifting into reverse.
Keep away from the intake grate while the
engine is on. Items such as long hair, loose
clothing, or PFD straps can become entan-
gled in moving parts, resulting in severe in-
jury or drowning.
Never insert any object into the jet thrust
nozzle while the engine is running. Severe
injury or death could result from coming incontact with the rotating parts of the jet
pump.
Stop the engine and remove the clip from
the engine shut-off switch before removing
any debris or weeds, which may have col-
lected around the jet intake.
1“N” (Neutral position)
11Intake grate
2Jet thrust nozzle
1Clip
2Engine shut-off switch
1
2
2
1
UF4G74E0.book Page 16 Tuesday, July 16, 2019 10:27 AM

Control function operation
29
zle is changed, and the direction of the water-
craft is changed accordingly.
Since the strength of the jet thrust determines
the speed and degree of a turn, throttle must
always be applied when attempting a turn,
except at trolling speed.
This model is equipped with the Yamaha En-
gine Management System (YEMS) that in-
cludes an off-throttle steering (OTS) system.
It will activate at planing speeds should you
attempt to steer the watercraft after releasing
the throttle lever. The OTS system assists in
turning by continuing to supply some thrust
while the watercraft is decelerating, but you
can turn more sharply if you apply throttle
while turning the handlebars. The OTS sys-
tem does not function below planing speeds
or when the engine is off. Once the engine
slows down, the watercraft will no longer turn
in response to handlebar input until you apply
throttle again or you reach trolling speed.EJU35975Cooling water pilot outlet
When the engine is running, some of the
cooling water that is circulated in the engine
is discharged from the cooling water pilot
outlet.
There is a cooling water pilot outlet on the
port (left) side of the watercraft. To check for
proper operation of the cooling system, make
sure that water is being discharged from the
cooling water pilot outlet. If water is not being
discharged from the outlet, stop the engine
and check the jet intake for clogging. (See
page 95 for information on the jet intake.)
TIP:
It will take about 60 seconds for the water
to reach the outlet after the engine is start-
ed.
Water discharge may not be constant
when the engine is running at idling speed.
If this occurs, apply a little throttle to make
sure that water discharges properly.
EJU40323Water separator
The water separator prevents water from en-
tering the fuel tank by collecting any water
that has entered the fuel tank breather hose if
the watercraft was capsized.
1Handlebar
2Jet thrust nozzle
1
21Cooling water pilot outlet
1
UF4G74E0.book Page 29 Tuesday, July 16, 2019 10:27 AM

Instrument operation
38
EJU43760
Multifunction information
center
The multifunction information center displays
various watercraft information.
Multifunction information center initial op-
eration
When the multifunction information center is
activated, all of the display segments come
on. After 2 seconds, the warning indicators in
the information display go off, and then the
center starts to operate normally.
If only the multifunction information center is
activated, the “WARNING” indicator light
blinks once.
TIP:
VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited: The
“UNLOCK” indicator light also comes on as
part of the initial operation.
The “UNLOCK” indicator light will go off
when the engine is started.
Multifunction information center standby
state
If the multifunction information center does
not receive any operation input within 25 sec-
onds after the engine stops, the center willturn off and enter a standby state. When the
engine is started again, the displays return to
their state before the center turned off, and
then the center starts to operate normally.
EJU35027Information display
The information display shows watercraft op-
erating conditions.
EJU43832Speedometer
The speedometer shows the watercraft
speed against water.
1“UNLOCK” indicator light (VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser / VX Limited)
2Information display
3“L-MODE” indicator light (VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser / VX Limited)
4“WARNING” indicator light
123
4
1Tachometer
2Speedometer
3Oil pressure warning indicator
4Engine overheat warning indicator
5Check engine warning indicator
6Shift indicator (VX / VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser / VX Limited)
7Fuel level warning indicator
8Fuel level meter
1Speedometer
12
345768
1
UF4G74E0.book Page 38 Tuesday, July 16, 2019 10:27 AM

Instrument operation
40
TIP:
The accuracy of the fuel level meter varies
depending on the operating conditions. Use
this function as a reference only.
EJU44020Fuel level warning
If the fuel remaining in the fuel tank drops to
about 18 L (4.8 US gal, 4.0 Imp.gal), the low-
est two fuel level segments, the fuel level
warning indicator, and the “WARNING” indi-
cator light blink, and the buzzer sounds inter-
mittently for 30 seconds.
If the fuel level warning is activated, refill the
fuel tank as soon as possible. (See page 50
for information on filling the fuel tank.)
After the fuel tank is refilled, the warning sig-
nals will be cleared when the engine is re-
started.
EJU43720Oil pressure warning
If the oil pressure drops significantly, the oil
pressure warning indicator, the check engine
warning indicator, and the “WARNING” indi-
cator light blink, and the buzzer sounds inter-
mittently for 30 seconds. At the same time,
the maximum engine speed is limited.
If the oil pressure warning is activated, imme-
diately reduce the engine speed, return to
shore, and then check the engine oil level.
(See page 53 for information on checking the
engine oil level.) If the oil level is sufficient,
have a Yamaha dealer check the watercraft.
EJU43901Engine overheat warning
If the engine temperature rises significantly,
the engine overheat warning indicator, the
check engine warning indicator, and the
“WARNING” indicator light blink, and the
buzzer sounds intermittently. After 5 sec-
onds, the engine overheat warning indicator
and the “WARNING” indicator light stop
blinking and remain on, and the buzzer
sounds continuously. After 30 seconds, the
buzzer stops. While the engine overheat
1Fuel level meter
1
UF4G74E0.book Page 40 Tuesday, July 16, 2019 10:27 AM

Instrument operation
41
warning is activated, the maximum engine
speed is limited.
If the engine overheat warning is activated,
immediately reduce the engine speed, return
to shore, and then make sure that water is
being discharged from the cooling water pilot
outlet while the engine is running. If there is
no discharge of water, stop the engine, and
then check the jet intake for clogging. (See
page 95 for information on the jet intake.)
NOTICE: If you cannot locate and correct
the cause of the overheating, consult a
Yamaha dealer. Continuing to operate at
higher speeds could result in severe en-
gine damage.
[ECJ00042]
EJU43731
Check engine warning
If a sensor malfunction or a short circuit is de-
tected, the check engine warning indicator
and the “WARNING” indicator light blink, and
the buzzer sounds intermittently for 30 sec-
onds.If the engine is stopped after the check en-
gine warning is activated, the information dis-
play will indicate an error code.
If the check engine warning is activated, im-
mediately reduce the engine speed, return to
shore, and have a Yamaha dealer check the
engine.
EJU43740Hour meter
The hour meter shows the total number of
hours that the engine has been running since
the watercraft was new.
TIP:
The elapsed time will be kept even if the bat-
tery terminals have been disconnected.
EJU43751Voltmeter
The voltmeter shows the battery voltage.
When the battery voltage is normal, the volt-
meter displays approximately 12 volts.
1Hour meter
1
UF4G74E0.book Page 41 Tuesday, July 16, 2019 10:27 AM