im at a loss, i replaced my starter when i got my four wheeler 10months ago, and now when i push the start button it will only crank like one out of 5 tries if at all.

my batteri is new and fully charged, could my solonoidbe going? i hear it click, but the starter wont turn over...

how can i test if the solonoid shot?

 

I am not an electronic wiz or anything, but it sounds like a simple bad connection. Go over all the wires, check fuses and what not and se what happens. This is why I prefer kickstart bikes!

 

actually my forman has a kick start, just id like to be able to use my $120 starter

 

To me that sounds like worn out brushes in the starter motor. My dad's honda had the same problem not to long ago. Most of the time it wouldn't want to crank but the odd time it would. It also would click everytime we hit the starter button

If the brushes are worn then it is a cheap fix. Just take your starter motor to someone that can rebuild electric motors and they can fix it for you. It only cost us at the time $40 (canadain) which is allot cheaper then having to replace the motor. Maybe even cheaper if you can fix it yourself.

 

The solenoid can be checked by jumping across the two terminals on the top of it with an old screwdriver. If nothing happens, try tapping on the starter wth a small hammer ( don't beat on it hard to damage the housing ). If it takes off when tapped on, the brushes are worn.
A new starter can have burned out brushes already if the unit was cranked on for long periods of time or jump started with a car. The brushes will wear fast when they get hot from to many amps ( from a car jumpstart ) applied to them or not enough time for the starter to cool after it is heavily used.
Rule of thumb ----- do not crank on the unit for more than 15 seconds at a time, and allow at least double that time for cool down between cranking.

hope this helps.

----- Gimpster -----

 

Some of the late 80's TRX350's had an issue with the gear that the starter engaged into. I would suggest removing the small oval cover on the left side engine case cover and inspecting those gears.
If they are missing teeth, it will tear up the starter, and may cause your symptoms.

 

Very true kodiakbob, 86 thru 88's were known for this. And if the teeth actually broke it often caused a real mess, damaging starter, stator and flywheel besides. Although at one point, Honda came out with different geared teeth, the root cause was the starter clutch. It got weak and allowed compression to kick back through the gears when you shut the machine off, or released the starter button if it didn't start. Probably worth inspecting, but I always remember a lot of starter brush problem with them things too.

 

hey dzzy where in minnesota are you?