hey guys just traded my 125 for a kodiak 400 2x4 and im having a few probs. the guy i traded said that the starter was bad on it and ive been pull string starting it, but that got old quick. so i bought a starter and waiting on it to come in. i tried to test the solenoid and i dont think it works. i put a test light on the negative terminal and put the light on the starter prong and when i pressed the button no light. another thing is that the fan for the radiator hasnt kicked on yet. i havent really rode it for long but i definetly got it up to a high temp. when does the fan kick on. should i put it on a toggle switch? anybody has any tips with these bikes, especially the ultramatic im a little nervous ab that. let me know... im new to the atvs im a dirt bike rider.

 

From the sound of it you do most likely have a bad solenoid, starter button or a disconnected wire. Grab you a pair of jumper cables or something, hook to battery + and touch the stud that the starter wire bolts to on the starter... if it works... its not the starter(and yeah i bet pull starting has got old, I know how they pull..lol). As far as the fan kicking on, while riding easy i have drove all day without the fan ever comming on, if you let it idle the fan should come on within 5 to 10 minutes. Check and make sure the fan turns freely, and that it is topped off on coolant. If it doesn't overheat so far you are probably fine, although good idea to keep an eye on. I've got a friend that had the a 2003 kodiak 400 4x4, and i have a grizzly 600 and a 660. We all run over-sized tires...Dont worry about the Ultramatic. They have proven themselves reliable(I have blown one...lol...but it took a some work [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]. I wear a belt out in about 4k miles of fairly abusive riding. Hope I was of some help.

 

ok well i did that with the jumper cable and nothing happened. i put the test light on the stub of the starter and pressed the button and it did not light. when i press the start button i can feel a small bump from the solenoid. but no click light my other bikes do. i bought the solenoid and a starter so hopefully i can get everything right. i think i am def going to put the fan on a toggle switch. it spins freely but i have never seen it spin over yet. the bike was sitting for like a year or 2. i appreciate your help.

 

Best of luck to you!