the starter stopped working on my 2003 kawasaki bayou 250. I can pull start it and it runs fine. I found what I think is the 20 amp fuse between the battery and the starter and it seems fine. It doesnt appear to get any juice at all to the starter...this appeared
after a very wet and muddy excursion and some moisture I'm sure got in the battery and engine area but it ran ok immediately after I cleaned it. Any suggestions???

 

you probably got water and mud in the starter it needs taken apart and cleaned

 

Hey, I had a problem similar to this with my '93 220. Try pullstarting it and letting it run for a while, maybe rev it in neutral. After a few minutes of that, the solenoid or whatever might give off enough juice to fire it up.

 

thanks, I've been using it with the pull start...but even after running it for a while the starter still won't kick in.

 

Did you try a new battery? I wouldn't have a problem pullstarting, but if you happen to stall at the wrong time and you can't get off to pull-start it.....ya. Maybe take it to kawasaki to see if they can do anything about it?

 

odds are if it was working befor he went mudding and then right after it stopped working then he has water and mud in the starter and it needs cleaned out ive had to clean mine once before and it works perfect now

 

Do you have a green light when in neutral with the key on? If so...

1. Inspect black wire on left side of bike above peg. Loosen and scratch that area where the wire needs to ground with a screwdriver. Reattach and try.

2. If that doesn't work and all you hear is a click, loosen and retighten the wires on the solenoid. Also inspect the fuse on the solenoid.

3. If that didn't work, get a pair of jumper cables and attach a hot battery to the starter's hot post and the bike's frame to see if the starter will turn over. You do not have to remove the starter for this test.

4. If the starter doesn't function after that last test remove the starter and disassemble via the two long 8mm bolts. Check the brushes in the endcap of the starter and inspect the magnets in the main housing to make sure neither has become loose. A loose magnet on the field will not allow the starter to turn.

 

thanks to all. it turns out that I just needed a new solenoid. By crossing the + and - with a screwdriver (at the solenoid) I could make it start. sp I knew the starter was fine. THanks again for all the helpful input