[1999 FourTrax]

I got a FourTrax 300 1999 fwd in good condition but after I’m done riding it and turn it off, the high temp oil light comes on and won’t let me start it. The oil is very old and does look a bit black but would that cause the over heating? Please help

 

[fishfiles]

I have 300's and didn't know that the high temp light wouldn't let it start up --- Are you sure about that ? or maybe it just won't start cause it is seizing up from excess heat

 

[_Wilson_]

That's a new one to me to, if that high temp warning system is working right... Your looking at a temperature of plus 330 f (haven't nailed it exactly) some place in the forums it's said to be a temp of 380 f ....... I'd change that oil 1st! Are the cyclender cooling fins clean ?

I’m done riding it and turn it off, the high temp oil light comes on and won’t let me start it.

that light is on with key in the off position?

 

[shadetree]

could be wrong here ? ( go figure ! ) but ...if that model has the alarm unit on it ?, and the oil temp sensor is bad , going out ?, it will shut down the c.d.i. .

 

[1999 FourTrax]

To start off thanks for all the responses, and the atv only shows the red high oil temp in the on position (don’t worry)

 

[shadetree]

To start off thanks for all the responses, and the atv only shows the red high oil temp in the on position (don’t worry)

if the light stays on when the key is on, and is running ?, then your alarm unit is bad ?, or the oil temp sensor is bad ?.

 

[shadetree]

chances are, your oil temp sensor is bad .

 

[1999 FourTrax]

Also when the high temp light does go on I just have to leave the four wheeler and comeback in like 2 hours and then it starts up perfect (sometimes I only have to wait like 30 mins) but nothing is certainly wrong until I get an oil change. Also I was wondering if I actually have to get Honda oil for it or just regular 10w-40 4 stroke oil

 

[1999 FourTrax]

@shadetree the four wheeler key is turned but the engine isn’t on when the light comes on (it won’t go on in the first place though when that light comes on)

 

[_Wilson_]

Also I was wondering if I actually have to get Honda oil for it or just regular 10w-40 4 stroke oil

No just agood wet clutch approved motor oil, alot the guys here like rotella .... The choices are endless.......lol!

 

[1999 FourTrax]

Lol thanks @_Wilson_

 

[1999 FourTrax]

Is bad oil know to cause over heating though?

 

[shadetree]

@shadetree the four wheeler key is turned but the engine isn’t on when the light comes on (it won’t go on in the first place though when that light comes on)

the way they work: key gets turned on, bike starts ( either by kick start or electric start ) once its running , the oil temp light should go off after a sec or two ?, if it stays on ?, then the oil temp sensor is bad ?, or the alarm unit is bad.

 

[shadetree]

Is bad oil know to cause over heating though?

no, bad oil wont make it over heat. lack of air across the cylinder ?, or running lean from a bad fuel mixture makes it over heat.

 

[1999 FourTrax]

@shadetree I do have electric start on it because I got a new battery yesterday, but the four wheeler doesn’t do anything if I hit the electric start button when the oil temp light is on, but it will turn on if the oil light isn’t on is that normal?

 

[shadetree]

@shadetree I do have electric start on it because I got a new battery yesterday, but the four wheeler doesn’t do anything if I hit the electric start button when the oil temp light is on, but it will turn on if the oil light isn’t on is that normal?

yep, normal. means the alarm unit is keeping the motor from seizing up from being too hot. you do know what the alarm unit is...correct ??. black box, sits right next to the c.d.i. unit. most have a green plug-in made onto it.

 

[_Wilson_]

Shade....i just went and looked at mine (August 1999) machine, the cdi box is there, but there's no second alarm box.... On later models wasn't (asking) the alarm integrated into the cdi box ?

The OP has a 99 model too, so...... Does yours have those two boxes or just one ?

 

[shadetree]

Shade....i just went and looked at mine (August 1999) machine, the cdi box is there, but there's no second alarm box.... On later models wasn't (asking) the alarm integrated into the cdi box ?

The OP has a 99 model too, so...... Does yours have those two boxes or just one ?

you are correct, some models have them, some don't. if they don't have it ?, its made into the c.d.i. .

 

[1999 FourTrax]

Yeah when I get home I will check to see if I can find the alarm unit or if there’s just a cdi because just before I left I went to look at the four wheeler and the oil temp light was still on so it has to be either cdi or alarm unit. Do you guys k ow if there is any way to test which one is bad?

 

[_Wilson_]

Thanks for clearing that up shady

I'd take shades advise, (oil sensor) before ever messing with the cdi, to test it ?? you could...... Plug it in to a later year model 300 (like yours) that you KNOW is running good to start with.

There is another test.........tap test (i WOULD NOT do this test till you check oil sensor) you gently tap on the cdi while you try and fire the bike up.