i have a 2000 model ac 250 2x4 with low hours and has been taken care of it entire life. just tonight when i started it the machine ran as normal. i shut it off and a few minutes later i turned the key on and without hitting the starter button it cranked right up but the starter motor stayes engaged. i tried to lubricate the stater button but no help. i ran out of light to try anything else at this stage. any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

keith

 

Your starter selinoid/relay could be stuck. If you follow your large red wire from the battery it should go into a little box that has another big wire coming out of it and to the starter. Clean its connections and try it again.

SJ

 

i sprayed evry connection down with wd-40 last night and this morning it worked as it should. i'll try to check those connection tomorrow. i appreciate the info.

 

When you engage the start button it activates the starter selinoid which engages the starter moter to crank the engine. So either the starter button was stuck and it took a little while for the penetrating oil to soak in, or the starter relay was stuck and it loosened up with the penetrating oil as well.

I had some connection issues a long time ago and then I spent a few hours going through every connection on the machine (taking the racks and plastic off) cleanning each and gooping each up with a grease called dielectric grease. It helps maintain a connection and prevents corosion. A small tube will set you back about $5 at the auto parts store.

You may have stumbled onto a great idea to apss along to the ATV companies. The "Auto Keyed Start" feature like some of the new cars have. Get on, turn the key, it starts! (but not have the starter sticking side effect)

SJ