[EdN]

Hi
I need help. Trying to get my fourtrax 4x4 300 1996 going.
The starting has been getting worse over the last few weeks and i have had to kick start sometimes.
Now I cannot kick start it anymore.
All I hear is a click in starter solenoid everytime I hit the start button.
I checked battery and swapped in another from my other fourtrax and it makes no difference. Both batteries crank well in my other machine.
I checked fuses and they are ok. Checked wiring and there are no shorts doing a leak test. Kill switch worked last time i started it. I can start both machines with kill switch in off position. Neutral and reverse lights work when i change gears. The starter does not turn. Do not know what other things i can do besides taking the starter out(which may be above my skill level).
I would appreciate advice.
Thankyou
EdN

 

[mud99]

Welcome to the forums. There will be someone along to help shortly.

 

[bustamove]

Hi
I need help. Trying to get my fourtrax 4x4 300 1996 going.
The starting has been getting worse over the last few weeks and i have had to kick start sometimes.
Now I cannot kick start it anymore.
All I hear is a click in starter solenoid everytime I hit the start button.
I checked battery and swapped in another from my other fourtrax and it makes no difference. Both batteries crank well in my other machine.
I checked fuses and they are ok. Checked wiring and there are no shorts doing a leak test. Kill switch worked last time i started it. I can start both machines with kill switch in off position. Neutral and reverse lights work when i change gears. The starter does not turn. Do not know what other things i can do besides taking the starter out(which may be above my skill level).
I would appreciate advice.
Thankyou
EdN

EdN, I just want to be sure you are talking about two different problems? One is the starter isn't working? And the next is the engine is no longer able to start period?

The starter problem can certainly be a challange depending on what the problem is. The first question is do you have a 1996 Honda Fourtrax 300 Model Specific Service Manual? If not, this is the first thing you need.

Do you have access to a DC Amprobe? If so clamp the arm around the wire going to the starter to see how many amps it draws when you try the start button? A high amp reading will tell you a couple of things. One would be the starter needs to either be rebuilt ot replaced. Or the Bendix teeth are stuck and jaming the flywheel.

If the amp reading is around normal (put the amprobe on one of your other ATV's to see what they run amp wise to give you an idea) it could be a bad stop/start switch, a weak or almost completely blown apart cable, bad ground cable, Loose ground wire, start selonoid. Just a few of these things come to mind. This is why you need a Manual.

If the kick-start is binding? It could be the starter bendix isn't retracting like it should? And is binding the kick start? To give this a quick check you can try and move the engine backward slightly just to listen for a faint click sound. If you hear this, it may be the start bendix causing the problem.

When you rotated the engine backward this released the bound bendix, and freed the flywheel.

If you do hear this click? Chances are you have a bad start selonoid? But then again it could be something else, like maybe the starter itself? So instead of parts replacing (which gets expensive real fast) you need to follow the testing sections of a Model Specific Service Manual. This is way cheaper, and when you find the bad part, you will feel like a million. And you'll know it is the right bad part you're replacing.

Buy yourself a HONDA service manual. You can find these usually on Ebay. Clymers and manuals like these are Ok for some things. But when you get into a problem like you have right now, Get the real McCoy. A Honda Manual.

Good Luck.

 

[Saber6]

Using a test light see if there is power getting to the starter.

 

[EdN]

Thank You Bustamove

Thank You

I have Haynes manual for the atv. It has a lot of test procedures to try.
I do not have an amprobe. I will see if i can source one. When you say to move engine backward- does that mean putting it in reverse and pulling the atv backward? What about putting it in 3rd and pushing it?
I will try these things asap tomorrow.

Thanks again
EdN
N for Newbie

 

[tomgodd]

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[EdN]

Thank You Saber6

Thank You
When you say a test light- do you mean a bulb with 2 wires? If that is what you mean would I put one wire on the terminal that has a rubber cap and the other wire on the engine block?
Thanks again.

EdN
N is for Newbie

 

[TRX2fiveO]

You might need to carry it to your local Honda shop or a good motorcycle and atv repair shop

 

[mud99]

Test Light

 

[Country Boy]

probably the starter. Like they said, that has happened on our foreman once/

 

[EdN]

300 fourtrax still a no go-update

Hi Folks - Happy Holidays

Well i goy a test light and there is power going to the starter every time i press the start button. Still do not have an amprobe- maybe santa will bring one.
I also made sure battery was excellent . Starter solenoid still clicks when I start.
I also*put the atv in reverse and 3rd gear and pulled and pushed it with another atv. I heard the engine rollover but I was not going fast enough to start it. It hardly turned the engine at all in reverse. Any more ideas??
My next step is probably going to be to take starter out or drag it to a mechanic.
Best Wishes
EdN
N is for Newbie

 

[tomgodd]

Best of luck and happy holidays. It will not turn the motor over that fast. centrifigal clutch

 

[EdN]

Hi
Tried shorting solenoid and there is no start or clicking when i turned the key on. There still is power going to the starter. The black lead on solenoid sparked when i touched the battery hold down. still mystified.
EdN
N is for Newbie

 

[EdN]

Hi
Tried shorting solenoid and there is no start or clicking when i turned the key on. There still is power going to the starter. The black lead on solenoid sparked when i touched the battery hold down. still mystified. annot kich start it at all.
EdN
N is for Newbie

 

[Country Boy]

Just bring it to a mechanic if you cant do it. 100 bucks at our local shop to get a started rebuilt or replaced.

 

[bustamove]

Hi
Tried shorting solenoid and there is no start or clicking when i turned the key on. There still is power going to the starter. The black lead on solenoid sparked when i touched the battery hold down. still mystified. annot kich start it at all.
EdN
N is for Newbie

Ed, lets forget the starter button and the electric start for right now and focus on the kick start. If you just used the KICK START? Will the engine turn over at all?

Because you are new at this, I'm feeling you are being overwhelmed by too many problems at one time? And this is normal for a lot of people, plus it gets very confusing. So don't beat yourself to death over this.

If the kick start turns the engine over? Remove the spark plug. What does it look like on the end that goes inside of the engine? Black, tan, brown, oily? What does it look like? At this point I would say to go out and buy a new plug to replace the one you just took out.

Take the new spark plug out and hook it up to your plug wire. Now, make sure the metal part of the spark plug is laying against some metal part of the engine.

Make sure all of the switches are on, and then kick the engine over. Does the plug itself get spark?

We'll stop here for now. Let us know so we can help you farther along if we can?

 

[TRX2fiveO]

Good reply bustamove....^^^^ I would also like to add in the air cleaner in this simple test you explained. And to make sure when you do hold the spark plug against the engine be sure to hold the wire and not the plug unless you want some therapy..lol (shock treatment that is) . after you do his test we can move on to the switches. I can walk you through that if you still do not have spark.

 

[mud99]

Hold the spark plug in your hand so you will know the strength of the spark it will also help with dance moves. LOL JK

 

[EdN]

Hello folks

Well i have been gone a bit but am now back at it with this honda 300 4x4 that will not start. I have read everybodies comments and thank you for all the advice.

Here are the simple things i have done so far.

1. Rolled it back and forth- to release starter bendix.
2. Bought a new spark plug.
3. Checked wiring back and forth to switches and starter. All lights work-oil and neutral. 12.8 volts at the starter. Checked fuses.
4. Switched solenoids/battery with my other 300. Works there fine.
5. Kick start will turn over the piston and fuel is getting to the spark plug. But it will not fire.
6. Still hear the solenoid clicking when i push the start button. All lights dim when i hit the start button and the battery drains down.

Anybody know what to do? Do i take starter out and follow manuals checklist on starter repair?

Would the rectifier have anything to do with anything?
I am almost ready to load it up.

Looking forward to more advice.
Thank You

EdN

 

[Helmut]

The starter on a 300 Honda does not have a bendix. It uses a one-way bearing behind the magneta wheel, instead of a bendix.

Try checking resistance across the stator. Sounds like you may have a bad stator.