ASK THE MXPERTS: WHY WON’T MY 2016 KTM 350SXF RUN?

In 2016 KTM switched to a smaller condenser (right). It often failed. You can use the larger condensor from the 2017 KTM (left). It won’t fail.

Dear MXA,
I own a well-used, hand-me-down, 2016 KTM 350SXF and it quit running while I was at the track. I tried to change the fuse with the spare one that is in the main relay box, but it blew also. A guy at the track told me that it was possible that my condensor or capacitor went  out. I don’t know what a condensor or a capacitor is. What’s the difference? How do I fix it?

There is no difference in the working mechanism or the structure a capacitor or condenser. It’s just that capacitor is a newer term that has replaced the word condenser, but there is no difference in how they work or their structure, it’s just that condenser is an older term, but still correct. For some reason, In 2016 KTM switched to a smaller condenser. This new condenser proved to be erratic and had the bad habit of failing. It is easy to upgrade to the large condenser that comes on the 2017–’18 models. It is KTM part number 777-110-3500.

This should be a no-sweat deal. It is easy to upgrade to the large condenser that comes on the 2017–’18 models (or even the previous 2015 one). The KTM part number is 777-110-3500. Condensors work like a tiny rechargeable battery. The condensor stores electrical energy and discharges its electricity in a split second and recharges just as quickly. The most common use for a capacitor on a fuel-injected motocross bike is to give a jolt of power to start the engine. When a rider strokes the kickstarter on an EFI bike, he is essentially building the electrical charge in the condensor/capacitor. When not being used to provide a jolt of electricity, the capacitor absorbs electrical spikes to keep the voltage at a constant level.