Ask the Editors: Diagnosing Starter Troubles
Would I need to replace the solenoid and how do I test this cause when I short it out, the motor does turn. cheyno
It sounds like you’ve almost solved your problem on your own. When it comes to a faulty solenoid, we simply jump the two posts on top of the solenoid (also known as a relay) with a rubber handled screwdriver. Doing so will of course bypass the solenoid entirely and send the voltage straight from the battery to the ATV’s starter.
Since you said the engine turns over when you do this, you likely just need a new solenoid.
If you’re still suspect after this test, then it’s time to look into the starter motor itself. We test these with a simple method achievable with items you already have in the garage. Pull your car up next to the ATV and let it run a few minutes so that you can be sure the battery is topped off.
Grab your jumper cables and hook them up to your car’s battery as if you were going to perform a jump start. Run the negative cable to the quad battery’s negative battery post and then carefully touch the positive clamp to the starter’s hot post (up top). If the starter is good, the motor should turn over immediately. If it doesn’t budge, the starter is faulty.
