honda atv starting problem

[firefighter6625]

I have a 1998 Honda 300 fourtrac two wheel drive. The atv runs good but will not start with the electric push button. The battery is fully charged. When I push the starting button I hear a clicking noise coming from a unit to the left of the battery. Please help me in this problem.
Thank you, firefighter66255

[dman66]

It sounds like the starter solenoid is not engaging,when you try to start engine. Did you try bypassing/jumping out the solenoid ?

[firefighter6625]

How do you do that? Is that the starter selenoid to the left of my battery?

[dman66]

Yes it is the thing with the battery wire going to it and the other terminal goes to the starter on the engine.Just take a screw driver and jump the two terminals together, and the engine should crank,as long as you are in neutral gear and the switch on handlebars is set to ON.

[firefighter6625]

Thank You, I will try to do that as soon as my son gets 4 wheeler back home

[firefighter6625]

I tried to jump the item on the left(starter solenoid), no responce. Does not do anything. Fuses next to battery are good. Any other sugestions, please.

[450rJam]

check connections

[dman66]

Do you have a DC voltage meter? If so, check the voltage at battery at battery post - should =12 to 13 volts DC. If you do have that voltage,while trying to crank over engine,take a voltage reading - one side of DC volt meter to ground on quad,and test each terminal of the solenoid while trying to crank engine from handlebar push button - you should get 12 to 13 volts Dc. If you don't, you need to check fuses and wiring from battery to solenoid. We'll start here and post back to us.

[firefighter6625]

Yes, I do have 12v on battery, 11.8v on one of soleniod when pushing start button. the other terminal has 12v without pushing electric button and 11.8 when I push start button. What should I do now? Thank You

[dman66]

Go to the quads under 350cc section, and download a 300ex manual - one is being offered up now,or do a search for a 300 fourtrax manual.I'm not sure which quad you have-sport or utility?.The next thing to check,is the starter.Has this quad been sitting for a while? The starter brushes may need to be replaced.Sometimes, I have to put my Kawasaki 220 in gear = rock the quad back and forth,through it back in heutral,then it will rerstart.TRY THAT. Or take your meter and test for voltage at the starter to see if you get 12 volts dc when cranking.If you are getting 12 vdc, then you probably need a starter.

[firefighter6625]

I did what you said and it is the starter. I also tapped on the starter with a hammer will I pushed the button and it did start. Do you think I would be able to rebuild the starter? And if not, would I have to buy a starter for a 1998 model or are there other models and years that would fit my 300 foretrax utility two wheel drive.

[dman66]

Cool, I think you can rebuild the starter, but I'm not positive on that. I would check ebay for a used one/you can get alot of good parts for cheap on ebay with usually a good track record.More than likely, the brushes need to be replaced and the brush stator cleaned.

[firefighter6625]

Thanks, one other thing. Where is my brush stater and how do I clean it?

[dman66]

The motor starter has brushes inside of it. The starter is a motor,with a metal shaft on both ends of it.The brushes go into the motor, and push up against one end of the motor which is called the stator or stack,I believe.Once you figure out how to gently pull out the brushes, look inthe hole where brushes came out and you'll see the stator or stack.To clean the stator some same use like a pencil erasure.You do not want to score or sand the stator or stack!!!!It is only meant to be fine polished.That's the best I can tell you.

[firefighter6625]

Thank You Very Much, You have helped out greatly,
Jim Markel, Cambridge Ohio-firefighter66255@yahoo.com

[dman66]

I just got back into riding quads about a year ago,after 20 years.People helped me out alot on here and another site.I feel I can help out others too.No problem, any time...