[Wolverine99]

Hey gang,

I am knew to the forum and need some help! I recently bought a 1993 fourtrax 300 four wheel drive. My problem is that it randomly won’t start with the electric start but kick starts fine. By won’t start I mean there is no click from the starter or solenoid and no sound at all. Neutral light comes on when I turn the switch on. Like I say if this happens I kick it over and starts right up. If anyone can help it’s you guys!

 

[Goober]

How new is the battery? Possibly dead battery if so don’t run it til you get a new one.

If that battery is new then suspect the solenoid—replace with OEM

Does oil light come on momentarily then go out?

If you cross the solenoid terminals will it crank?

 

[Wolverine99]

Battery is old but holds a good charge. When the electric start does work, it turns over great and starts quick.

 

[mrbb]

you need to have the battery load tested to rule out if its the battery or not
take battery out of atv, take to chain like auto parts store, have it load tested for FREE< and let us know what the test says!

 

[Wolverine99]

Got a load tester at work I will test it. If it was the battery why would the electric start work sporadically? Sometimes it will start 4 or 5 times in a row then nothing.

 

[mrbb]

my guess could be a bad cell in battery, but some times enough juice to start, and then after you run a tad, it recharges and allows to start a few times then again low , not enough to turn starter fast enough or at all!

 

[Wolverine99]

Put the load tester on and tested high on the good scale. I went through all connections and cleaned and dielectric greased all plugs and checked everything to make sure it was tight. Might just be a gremlin.

 

[mrbb]

maybe a bad starter?

 

[KoolBreeze]

Starter would be my guess also. Try tapping on it with something next time it won’t start.

 

[Goober]

Could try contact cleaner in the starter switch—mine hadda buncha little web worms in it

 

[shadetree]

bad starter solenoid ?, or bad starter ? ( worn starter brushes ).

 

[Jeepwm69]

What Shade said.

Next time it won't start, try tapping on the starter. If it spins over, you need brushes.

If that doesn't work, jump your starter solenoid terminals and see if it turns over. If so, you need a starter solenoid.

When batteries get old, or starter brushes get worn, the starter will turn the motor over if the motor is on the compression stroke when you hit the button. If the engine stops at just the right place, a worn starter or low battery doesn't have the oomph to spin it over. If you rotate the motor a hair with the pull start or kick start to get it past that tough spot you'll find the starter will spin it.

 

[Cabledog]

Try twisting handlebars left or right , then hit start button. I have one that does that, and it's a loose connection.