On my Z400, my starter started smoking today. I was riding it, and all of a sudden it shut off, and no lights or anything. Battery was warm starter hot of course and smoking. Its still in warranty period, is this covered under warranty? Id hope so...
I have a video of it smoking if anyone wants some entertainment..but I hope I find a fix...fuses are all good, no metal under the seat, grounding is good, nothing loose.

 

was it a lot of smoke or just a little..post the video for us..

 

Not a like a HUGE amount that I cant see through it, but enough to grab my attention, The camera doesnt pick up the smoke detail like I could see it when I was standing next to it with a fire extinguisher incase it went up in flames. I am uploading to youtube as I am speaking.

 

here u guys go, the best way to view the smoke properly is in the beginning and look at the plastic above the motor. The lighting and wrong video mode make it hard to see it right when I was actually zooming in to try to get it all.


http://youtube.com/watch?v=B0woNCXI5Dw

 

How old is the quad?

 

3 Months old, its a 2007

 

I can't see the video, they block youtube here at work.

But, I would guess it's coming from inside the starter?

I'd get it to the dealer. It should be covered by the warranty. Since it's an electrical item, when they burn (or smoke) they generate heat that will transfer through the wires. That could lead to a big problem with the wiring harness itself. Better to just replace the starter than the harness or any other parts it may in turn fry.

 

Whats weird is I went to check on it this morning and it started. I think I know what the cause of the problem was actually. I left my tool kit unbuttoned under the seat, and one wrench must have touched the positive, as it has a nice burn mark on it. The quad starts now without smoking, but im pissed at my local dealer because they need to have it for 3 weeks and maybe at the third theyll have a chance to look at it, but If i dont drop it off I dont have a place in line. So Im trying another dealer and playing dumb about it.

 

Sorry for the double post, battery doesnt get hot anymore and starter seems to be at a significantly lower temp then it was when it was cooking yesterday.

 

That may have been it. Hope it was.