400ex won't start

[John400ex]

Ok so my 2000 400ex wont start. My headlights turn on but when i hit the start button nothing happens. I dont hear anything happening anywhere. I believe the lights and starter are on same fuse so it cant be the fuse. Is this a dead battery? I hooked up the quad to my jeep (not running) figuring it was the battery but still nothing. Ive been looking around and im lost. I took a screwdriver to the starter solenoid and it did spark and the engine started to crank but wouldnt turn over. What could this be?

[0seven400ex]

First post...

Maybe a dead starter switch?

Good Luck!

[powerbomb400]

If you have test light check and see if the solenoid is working working. Mine was working but I had to replace my starter.

[John400ex]

What do you mean by test light check?

[powerbomb400]

Put one lead of test light on top of starter and the other lead to ground on frame. Push starter button if light comes on the soleniold is working. But starter does not spin then bad starter. Then put one lead of light on the otherside of solenoid and other lead to frame(a ground). Push button if no light then bad button. If light comes on then the solenoid is bad.

[John400ex]

Ok sounds easy enough, i will get back with my results, thanks alot

[dxcody]

Usually if the starter is bad, the silenoid just ticks repeatedly.

[John400ex]

Alright ill check everything and see what happens, i hope its not the starter since im assuming thats the most expensive, funny thing is i rode and it was running fine no issues, i parked in my garage for a few months and now this happened

[John400ex]

No theres no ticking or anything, with that said does it sound like the problem is the solenoid? Once i put the screwdriver bypassing the solenoid it is right about to fire. (ran it out of gas before so i just gotta get gas flowing and it should fire right up with the screwdriver there)

[John400ex]

What do you mean by light will come on? Light on what? Sorry

[powerbomb400]

A test light. Its a multi-meter that test circuits. A multimeter will tell you the same thing. A test light is just more simple.

[John400ex]

I tried all those things and i didnt get anything, but when i do try to start it the headlights dim but hear nothing

[John400ex]

Yea i know what the tester is, when i tested everythin you listed i didnt get readings anywhere besides continuity

[powerbomb400]

When you jumped the solenoid did it turn over. The battery could be weak. Try jumping it off with your car.

[John400ex]

I was able to get it to start to turn over yesterday and today im having trouble getting a spark but i got it for a second and it did start to go, i tried jumping with a car yesterday and still nothing.

[powerbomb400]

I just replaced my starter a couple of weeks ago. Rode on Sat. went to get it off the trailer the next day and it wouldn't do nothing. My solenoid would click but the starter wouldn't turn over. Tried to jump start but still nothing. Took test light put on top of starter push button and the light on test light would light up. Told me that the starter was bad. I would check to make sure you don't have a loose wire if you are not getting any click out of the solenoid.

[John400ex]

Ok so check for loose wires to the solenoid all the way up to the starter button?

[powerbomb400]

Yep. Works just like a car solenoid.

[John400ex]

Ok i hear a clicking from the solenoid now, now what?

[powerbomb400]

Put your test light on the post of the starter and if it lights up then you know its the starter. Make sure your battery is up to par. Try jumping with your car again if the battery is weak.

[John400ex]

So go from where the wire goes to the starter and then to the frame?

[John400ex]

Do i need to try starting it when i have the meter on it?

[powerbomb400]

Yes. The button activates the solenoid which in turn activates the starter.

[John400ex]

Ok, i have to do this tomorrow but thanks for all the help, if you dont mind checking in tomorrow i would really appreciate it, since the solenoid clicks does that mean its good?

[powerbomb400]

Should be. Did you find a loose wire? I know before you said it wasn't clicking at all. Make sure all your connections a tight and clean.

[John400ex]

Yes wire must have been loose cuz i cranked it down and i started to hear a click, as soon as i hit the starter button it clicks instantaneously so it seems to be working properly, any idea how much volts the starter would draw?

[powerbomb400]

Not sure how much. I know that my battery has to have a good charge.

[John400ex]

Ok ill recheck all that in the morning, thanks again youve been a huge help, i will post results

[John400ex]

Battery reads 12.44 under no load, under 12 when i hit the starter, i am charging the battery now, is that too low of volts to make it start or even crank? I mean i dont hear anything when i hit the starter button besides the starter solenoid click, shouldnt i at least here the battery trying to crank?

[John400ex]

Charged battery its good, trued testing starter and reading no volts

[John400ex]

So i looked into it and if a starter reads 0 volts thats good, i got it fired up but only by bypassing the starter solenoid with a screwdriver, would this be the electric start button itself? When i do hit the start button with no screwdriver all i get is the clicking from the solenoid

[powerbomb400]

After what you described I'd say the solenoid is bad. You are getting a signal from the button and the starter is good.