Starter solenoid problem

winter is here again on with the plow and off with the snow but hard to do when damm thing wont start,
I have this problem every winter the freezing conditions must freeze the solenoid on both ATVs as the problem occurs on both
Batteries are new and in good state of charge
ign on press starter button click! click! I warm both vehicles up in the heated garage and both will start on solenoid with starter np
so my question is does anyone else have this problem if so how do I cure it


regards Philip

 

are you sure it's not the starter that is getting wet and freezing? did you try to jump the solenoid to see if it cranks over when its cold? if you jump the solenoid w/ the key on and it cranks the starter and you know it's the solenoid that is the issue and not the starter, however if you jump it and still no cranking then it is the starter thats the issue. just a idea.

 

It could be the starter freezing I suppose what can I do about that then if it is?

 

i know on the 2 strokes the starters are difficult to get to but the one i replaced had a bolt on the bottom you could take out to drain the starter ,it was close to the brush assembly. you could try a light bulb or heat lamp to thaw

 

The solenoid has two posts. One which connects to the positive battery terminal, one which connects to the starter motor. Attach the positive lead from a voltmeter to the solenoid post which connects to the starter motor. Attach the negative lead from a voltmeter to ground/frame/motor, etc. The voltmeter should show little or no voltage when you are not thumbing the starter. The voltmeter should show ~12 volts or so when you are thumbing the starter.

Apologies if you have already done such a test.

 

Can you tell me where is exactly this F....... bolt?

 

What machine do you have and what F..... Bolt you're talking about? If you're talking about a starter drain bolt,some had em some didn't. Look through the bash plate if you have a 250 or 350 and you will see the starter. If it has a drain plug it will be a small 10mm bolt close to where the starter enters the recoil area.Some came with em,some didn't. OPT