Hey guys, I recently got a non running 97 Honda Foreman 400 for free. I’ve never owned a four wheeler and so I’m pretty lost now. When I got it home I took the gas tank off and cleaned it, changed spark plug, and put in a new carburetor. Hooked up a lawn mower battery to it with jumper cables and tried to start it both by push button and pull cord and nothing. The motor isn’t stuck and seeems to have great compression. The guy I got it from didn’t know much about it. What would be the next step to try to get it running? I don’t want to put a lot of money into it until I can get it started. Any suggestions and help would be great.
1997 Honda Foreman 400
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
Welcome to the forums!
First thing ya need to do is get a copy of the service manual and read it for reference. You can get one linked in the manuals forum at the bottom of THIS post.
Next, check for spark across the spark plug gap. If ya got good spark continue on to the next step. If not, stop right there and fix it.
Then verify that fuel flows from the tank, through the petcock to the carb.
You'll need an OEM Honda carburetor installed. If you put a china knockoff on it from ebay or amazon you'll have to get that off of there and put the OEM carb back on it, after a thorough cleaning following the instructions in the service manual 100% during reassembly.
After you get the motor running (or possibly before, depending on whether compression is low or not), you'll need to adjust the valves and the clutch before riding it.
Keep us updated as you go so we can help you.
First thing ya need to do is get a copy of the service manual and read it for reference. You can get one linked in the manuals forum at the bottom of THIS post.
Next, check for spark across the spark plug gap. If ya got good spark continue on to the next step. If not, stop right there and fix it.
Then verify that fuel flows from the tank, through the petcock to the carb.
You'll need an OEM Honda carburetor installed. If you put a china knockoff on it from ebay or amazon you'll have to get that off of there and put the OEM carb back on it, after a thorough cleaning following the instructions in the service manual 100% during reassembly.
After you get the motor running (or possibly before, depending on whether compression is low or not), you'll need to adjust the valves and the clutch before riding it.
Keep us updated as you go so we can help you.
Joined
·
8,309 Posts
is the kill switch in RUN or OFF?
and I would also check compression before going to far here, as if compression is not up to snuff, it could be in need of motor work
you need fuel spark and air, good compression and correct timing to run here, miss any of these and your spinning your wheels
and I second you NEED a good OEM carb, not the china junk off ebay and like places.
when you cleaned the tank was it all funky in there, as if so, did you make sure the fuel peacock is clean and flowing properly and DID you change the fuel line, as the same crap in tank will have been in fuel lines, and if you tried running AS IS< you most likely have a dirty NEW carb already
and did you MAKE sure the air filter is clean and good to go??
and LAST the lawn mower battery might NOT be up to snuff to spin the motor fast enough on the ATV these atv;s need a GOOD battery to run and start!
as for spark again, also make sure all fuses are good and get a service manual m and back track wires till you find the issue if not!
and I would also check compression before going to far here, as if compression is not up to snuff, it could be in need of motor work
you need fuel spark and air, good compression and correct timing to run here, miss any of these and your spinning your wheels
and I second you NEED a good OEM carb, not the china junk off ebay and like places.
when you cleaned the tank was it all funky in there, as if so, did you make sure the fuel peacock is clean and flowing properly and DID you change the fuel line, as the same crap in tank will have been in fuel lines, and if you tried running AS IS< you most likely have a dirty NEW carb already
and did you MAKE sure the air filter is clean and good to go??
and LAST the lawn mower battery might NOT be up to snuff to spin the motor fast enough on the ATV these atv;s need a GOOD battery to run and start!
as for spark again, also make sure all fuses are good and get a service manual m and back track wires till you find the issue if not!
There is a troubleshooting process for no spark in the service manual that you should follow step by step. Start with a new NGK spark plug, a fully charged battery, clean and tight grounds on the motor and frame and have a multimeter handy to check fuses, switches and harnesses. Let us know if we can help.
I think the kill switch is in the off position I’ll check tomorrow. It’s got good compression. The gas was definitely bad but cleaned everything it wasn’t dirty or anything. Checked and replaced fuel lines just to be safe. Carb looked good. I replaced the fuses. The wheeler doesn’t have a battery so I did try to connect to a lawn mower battery but nothing happened when I tried to pull start it. It has no ignition so I bypassed it. Again nothing happened when I tried starting. I’m trying to watch throwing money at a lost cause, if I can take a step forward with it I have no problem putting some money into it. Would buying a battery give a better chance at it getting spark?
An OEM ignition switch is a must have item, as well as a proper battery. Don't try to jumper the ignition switch wires... unless you are very wealthy and understand all of the risks. The service manual is your friend... you can lean on it pretty hard.
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
