[jcccbr]

Have an 86 fourtrax 350 that I've owned since new. Had an issue that started last fall where the bike would simple shut down while riding. I'd let it sit a bit and then it would start and run. Happened again this spring. When it occurs I have no oil light, neutral light, headlight or ability to engage the starter switch on the handle bars. The battery is new, all the fuses are good and I have power at the starter solenoid. Another odd thing is when I would turn on the key it would take a 10-15 seconds for the neutral light to come on and sometimes it would be very dim. It almost acts like loose connection or a switch that's not operating correctly, but I have been unable to find either. I replaced the ignition switch a year or so ago with a non-oem switch. Would appreciate any thoughts anyone would have.

 

[jcccbr]

Thanks. I haven't checked the relay yet, but will. It's so random. I could go out and try now and it may work. Then again it may not. Then there's the issue of riding along (at night) and it just shuts down. Do you thing the relay or neutral switch could do that?

 

[jcccbr]

Finally had time to look into this a little more. I still have no lights on the dash nor does the starter button engage the start. Battery is good and I can short across the starter solenoid and it spins the starter. I forgot to mention earlier that I installed an aftermarket key switch 2 years ago. Does anyone know if the Kill switch/headlight/ starter button unit on the left handlebar could cause such a problem? CDI box?

 

[jcccbr]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I kinda suspected the key switch because I had power intermittently and now it's totally dead. Just trying to save a buck! The other issue was the fact that the neutral light was at first dim and over the course of a minute or so would brighten up and it would start suggested a poor connection. But it baffled me that I'd be riding along and it would just die, sit for a minute and start back up and be fine. But it has been continually been getting worse and the only think that has changed is the key switch.

 

[jcccbr]

Finally! The new switch did the trick! Back to normal and ready to ride! Thanks for everyone's help! As it turned out, the old switch WAS NOT a knock off but an OEM Honda switch! Only got 2-3 years out of it. Odd for Honda parts. Here's couple pics of the old girl.....