Hello. I have an 06 rancher with foot shift. Couple days ago it wouldn't turn over. Used the pull start and it works fine. Then it started with the starter a few times. When it wouldn't again I just leaned down and tugged the cord a couple inches and the starter worked again. Now the solenoid usually just clicks but will kick it over every once in a while. Got to the solenoid and it won't jump. Battery is good and I swapped out another to make sure. I'm going to pull a solenoid out of an older one tomorrow. Any other thoughts?
Thanks
Rick

 

Don't bother changing solenoids, it is almost certain to be the starter brushes worn down. The starter then gets intermittent for a while before packing in altogether. Easy test, put a 12v test lamp between earth and starter lead, switch on, press start button, if lamp lights but starter doesn't run, faulty starter, if lamp doesn't light but solenoid clicks, faulty solenoid. If it is starer at fault, I always fit new brushes, aftermarket starters are cheap but lower quality, unless you have a 420, then the genuine starter is also low quality,

Tip for old model 420 owners who need a new starter, genuine new model (2014 onwards) starter is cheaper and only needs the plastic bit on the binding post moving, to make it into the old model starter.

 

Thanks! Switched the solenoid from another bike before I read this. Same result. Old bike starts with the switched solenoid. I'm still too slow to understand why the solenoid won't spark when crossed though?
Rick

 

You must not have pressed the jumper wire onto the binding posts hard enough. All too easy to think it is the wrong part, especially if the fault is intermittent. That is why the test lamp method is best. You know for certain then.

 

Starter for sure. Thanks again!
rick