[genbeau]

Hello and thanks in advance for any help,

My 4 wheeler is a 2014 Honda 4x4 Fourtrax Rancher. It was bought new in late 2014 from a dealer. I have tried looking up this issue somewhat but came here to try to get more details. I went to ride today and when I push the starter button the display flashes and when I let go I hear a clicking sound. It tries to start but goes won't turn over. My first thing I was going to try was to charge the battery. The battery has not been charged ever as far as I know. I do have a battery charger that works on a marine battery for a trolling motor. I think it does different size batteries and allows you to choose the amps or it chooses them. Will that work?
Some other information: Last time I was able to ride it was in January I think. It has rained here so much and our yard has been very muddy until recently. So, it did sit since then under a cover and under the shed. Also, it worked fine last time but the gas indicator got to where it was just flashing. It would not show the gas level. There is plenty of gas in it btw. It I move the red button left or right the display quits flashing but the start doesn't work. It goes back to flashing as soon as I try to start it.
Ok. Any suggestions would be great. I can do some things on my own. I do maintenance on a couple of mini bikes so maybe I can fix this with y'all's help. Thank you!

 

[JohnnySolo]

Hey welcome to the forums! That battery charger would work just fine just be sure it either cuts off when battery is charged or you monitor it and be sure it doesn't damage battery by charging too long.

Could be your solenoid, what you wanna do is locate the battery compartment (first turn key on) and look for a little round thing that should have two rubber boots on it. Should be behind battery kinda. Place screwdriver in between the two posts sticking up. If the quad turns over then your solenoid needs replacing if it doesn't and just sparks then that means solenoid is good and we'll go to next step.

Here's pic of my solenoid on my Honda Recon 250. Honda's have there solenoids generally in same place so this should help you find it

 

[genbeau]

Thank you! I just now got back on here. I wasn't able to charge the battery until today. The charger read it at 80%. It is full now and tomorrow I am going to try it again. Thank you for the photo and info. That helps a lot! It is my brother's 4 wheeler and I told him about that there was a nest in the cargo compartment next to the battery. I even found acorns stashed in the same area with the nest. He is wondering if a rodent chewed into something. I am also going to look for anything that doesn't look right. I'll try to get back on here soon. Thanks again!

 

[JohnnySolo]

Thank you! I just now got back on here. I wasn't able to charge the battery until today. The charger read it at 80%. It is full now and tomorrow I am going to try it again. Thank you for the photo and info. That helps a lot! It is my brother's 4 wheeler and I told him about that there was a nest in the cargo compartment next to the battery. I even found acorns stashed in the same area with the nest. He is wondering if a rodent chewed into something. I am also going to look for anything that doesn't look right. I'll try to get back on here soon. Thanks again!

Lol rodent could've made some damage. Let us know what happens and no problem

 

[genbeau]

So, I put the charged battery back in and it still would not start. Display still flashing and still a clicking sound. Whole display flashes and all indicators blink. I checked all in the battery area and the middle and could not find anything odd looking. So, I thought I would look at the spark plug, while I had the 4 wheeler uncovered, just to see. I opened the tank cover and found more nest and two little baby mice. Should have guessed they were there bc my cat was poking around before she walked off. I removed them and the nest and saw the wire coming from the display. It was chewed. I had barely moved it to look and clean that area and now the display won't even light up with the ignition on. So, would that be the only problem or will someone need to look the thing over? (I got a slight problem if I have to take it somewhere. We always used a ramp to load it in the truck bed but that's while it is running. Guess I will have to borrow a trailer maybe.) Let me know what you think and if it is easy to fix or not. I have not done wiring before. My brother can do all that but he is in the military and not here so will be a new experience for me. Thank you!
It may be a little hard to see the wire but it is definitely uncovered and frayed and I think broken in places.

 

[_Wilson_]

Moth balls , sticky pads, and strong mint spray, will help defend against those pesky rodents.....