[Keoni1246]

Hey everyone I'm new to the site.

So here goes: All I get is a clicking noise from the solenoid near the the battery. I did some research and found that I should clean all the terminals that relate with the starting system. I did all of that! I still get a clicking noise from it. The battery is fully charged. The kick start works. I also found that if you take a screwdriver and touch the top post of the solenoid it tries to start which it attempted to. Would I need to replace the solenoid? Please help!! Thanks.
plus I usually do a lot of riding through water and mud so I don't know if this could be another reason.

I have a 1996 Honda TRX300 (fourtrax)

 

[Helmut]

Welcome to the forums.

I also found that if you take a screwdriver and touch the top post of the solenoid it tries to start which it attempted to.

What do you mean by "it tries to start"? Did you have the key on and jump the two posts on the solenoid with an old screwdriver or something? I can't understand if you're saying the engine turns over but don't start or if you mean that it will actually start by jumping the solenoid. Remember, if the key is off, the engine should turn over but not start when jumping the solenoid. If the key is on, the engine should start when jumping the solenoid.

 

[Keoni1246]

Okay by that I have the key on and I am touching the post and it starts. I did not do it while the key is off. If I kick start it, it runs like a champ, if I try to push start it fails due to the clicking noise.

 

[Helmut]

OK, if it actually started when you jumped the solenoid, then the solenoid is bad. When you jump the solenoid, all you're doing is bypassing the solenoid by jumping battery power from one post to the other post and then on to the starter.

There's a slim chance that the problem could be in the start button, but it's not likely. The solenoid is a common thing to go out on ATVs. If you want to be sure, you can use a 12v test like to check for power at the plug going into the wires on the solenoid. There's two wires, one is hot and the other is a ground. If you test it this way, just make sure you push the start button when you test for power.

 

[Keoni1246]

Awesome I will check this tomorrow! What your saying is lagit. Right now i assume it is the solenoid so I'll just order one.
Thanks for all the info. Very helpful it was!

 

[Helmut]

Awesome I will check this tomorrow! What your saying is lagit. Right now i assume it is the solenoid so I'll just order one.
Thanks for all the info. Very helpful it was!

You're welcome. Yeah, it's more than likely going to be the solenoid.

 

[Keoni1246]

You're welcome. Yeah, it's more than likely going to be the solenoid.[/QUOTE]


You're absolutely right! I ordered one and slapped it in today and it starts right up! Wish I had it today and yesterday while I road all day!

 

[Helmut]

Great, glad you got it fixed!!

 

[dl_rhodes]

I am having the same problem. I have a 96 Fourtrax as well and it is clicking at the solenoid when I try to start it with the push button. It fires right up using the kick starter though. Im thinking that my problem is the solenoid as well so I was wondering if you purchased the solenoid online or at your local atv shop?

 

[shadetree]

I am having the same problem. I have a 96 Fourtrax as well and it is clicking at the solenoid when I try to start it with the push button. It fires right up using the kick starter though. Im thinking that my problem is the solenoid as well so I was wondering if you purchased the solenoid online or at your local atv shop?

from a dealer..it just will cost alittle more..from a after market place..will be alittle cheaper to buy...keep in mind..if you buy it from a dealer..most dealers won't take any elec part back once you buy it.

 

[MNRedneck]

I am having the same problem. I have a 96 Fourtrax as well and it is clicking at the solenoid when I try to start it with the push button. It fires right up using the kick starter though. Im thinking that my problem is the solenoid as well so I was wondering if you purchased the solenoid online or at your local atv shop?

You probably already did this, but.....just to be safe, double check to make sure you have a fully charged battery, and try jumping the solenoid.
I had this same clicking noise from my solenoid, but after checking everything it turned out to be my starter.

 

[dl_rhodes]

After doing what MNredneck said to do. I realized that it is the starter not the solenoid. I also tried tapping on the starter while pushing the start button and acting like it was trying to start for a second but that was about it.

 

[shadetree]

After doing what MNredneck said to do. I realized that it is the starter not the solenoid. I also tried tapping on the starter while pushing the start button and acting like it was trying to start for a second but that was about it.

your starter brushes are worn..either replace them..or get another starter.

 

[Helmut]

After doing what MNredneck said to do. I realized that it is the starter not the solenoid. I also tried tapping on the starter while pushing the start button and acting like it was trying to start for a second but that was about it.

your starter brushes are worn..either replace them..or get another starter.

Yep, I agree.

 

[dl_rhodes]

Well just to give a little update. My father in law took the starter apart and said the brushes are in good shape but it seemed liked something was making it hang up. He tested it after that and said it should work fine and after I put it back on it did. However, after talking to my brother yesterday he said that after about a week of using the quad fairly often he said it has clicked only once when he tried to start it. Im wondering what else couple be happening for it to be doing that. I already changed the solenoid. As of right now the starter is working but that one time it clicked is bothering me. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Pain]

If you've already swapped the solenoid, and are certain you have a fully charged battery that is in working order, then just replace your starter.

I'm assuming that all the connections are clean since you have removed the starter, but just be sure everything is clean and tightened.

 

[Helmut]

I agree with Pain, that's what I would do too.

 

[dl_rhodes]

Okay, Im going to have to put the battery on charge next time im going to be up there for a couple of hours. Hopefully thats it and if not Ill check the other connections. Thanks for the help.

 

[shadetree]

a few things can make a starter seem like it's bad..as i said ealier in a post..brushes are most common thing to go bad..if your brushes checked out ok..then your armature may be bad ( this is where your brushes ride ) when you crank the starter. if all this is good..then i would say your not getting a good ground..like stated on here..make sure all your battery leads are tight to the frame and starter. i always hook the ground from the battery right through the bolt that bolts the starter to the motor...this way i know my starter is getting a good ground.

 

[dl_rhodes]

Im going to have to go through and check the grounds from the sound of it. My father and law said the brushes were in good shape when he had it apart and it only clicked once out of probably 30 times trying to start it. I hooked the ground up to the starter bolt when I installed the starter but Ill have to check up by the battery to see if something isnt right there. Thanks for the info guys.