I have an 01 AC 500 4x4 manual. When I push the start button the starter motor spins, but the motor doesn't try to turn over. Does my fourwheeler have a starter bendix? Is that my problem? Why can't I find an AC part# online for the bendix? I ran the starter directly to the battery outside of the motor and there was no thrusting forward, it just spun. Help please. First time 4-wheeler owner.

 

i think its time for a new starter if the starter isnt engaging.

 

I have seen this happen a couple of times. In both cases the shaft holding the gear between the starter and the flywheel broke and also broke both the engine case half and the engine side cover. Extremely expensive to repair. Both customers decided to take out broken parts and rope start unit. If I remember correctly both units were 2001 500's, one manual and one auto. You can pull the side cover or the starter of and find out if the gear is in place. Good luck, TORK.

 

TORK is right on the money. I know a guy who had either a piece of the flywheel or starter gear fell down inside and caused enough major damage to the engine that he chose not to fix it. It was basically , buy new engine, so check it out first before your ride.

SJ

 

A little update. I took the left cover off of the cat. None of the gears are broken, none of the teeth are worn or missing, everything looked fine at first. The thing that I did notice Is that the big gear above the stator housing should be engaged and it just free wheels. I can crank the 4-wheeler with the pull rope or by pull starting it but it wont crank with the starter.

Right now its having trouble running, but I think its because I have the muffler off of the tailpipe( no back pressure). It doesn't want to run very long. I think I just need a new starter clutch assembly. I didn't hear any knocking, but I was very loud while running because of the missing muffler.