So my 2000 Recon wouldn't start last week. No noise whatsoever when I push the button. When I cut the key on, the first thing I noticed was the neutral light didn't come on. I tried shifting to make sure it wasn't in gear and couldn't get it to light up but I know it's in neutral cause I can roll it. So I thought it was a dead battery (even though it's new) so I put it on the charger and it showed full charge. I tried cutting on the headlights and they work (plenty bright). I thought it might be a bad fuse so I got a new one and that didn't work. Come to find out there is one fuse and one relay. I should be getting a relay this week to try. I replaced the plug and cap to make sure niether was the culprit. Also, I was told to try to jump the solenoid to see if that was bad and if it arced and started then it is. That didn't work. Got the arc but still no start. What else could be causing this? Bad ignition switch? I'm running out of ideas.

 

You didn't mention what it does when you try the pull starter????

 

My pull starter is kind of bound up. I'm going to get around to pulling it off and hopefully a little cleaning will take care of it.

 

The unit has to see neutral to start.
Eather the neutral switch is bad or unplugged

----- Gimpster -----

 

not sure about your bike
but the 04 rancher 400at you can hold the front brake and start the bike in gear...
I think this will put it into a "limp"mode but it will start and run...
Al

 

ive had quads get stuck in gear ...so i triked them into thinking they were in netural....there should be two groups of wire coming from the motor one group being the stator wires..and the other group being the netural / reverse switch...
.
.the netural reverse wires should come from the right side of the enjine then cross over to the left side ..and enter a large rubber boot you can slide the boot back then disconnect the netural reverse wires here..
.
now you will have four connections, 2 giong back to the motor and 2 heading up the wire harness ....now with you key swicth on ground one or both of the 2 wires that head up the harness....this should turn on the netural light ...and then the start button will work

 

I'll try grounding the wire this weekend. If that works and the bike starts, what do I need to replace to fix it correctly?

 

neutral switch

----- Gimpster -----

 

so I'm assuming you mean this section of wiring? #6

 

No, on the rear lower part of the engine there are 2 sensors with wires going to them. Unplug the one that has a green wire and red stripe going to it and ground out the connector. Neutral light should come on and the unit start.

----- Gimpster -----