QuestionDear sir, I realize that you repair motorcycles, but I was wondering if you knew much about ATV's?
I have an old 1990 Kawasaki bayou 300, It has been in storage for about 3 years, the problem is when I put the starter button in, nothing happens, the lights work, but do not dim when I push the starter button, battery is fully charged, and I am wondering if I should be looking as at the starter switch or is there a solonoid switch, I can also jump start it by putting the booster cable on the starter itself, and it will turn over. The fuse that goes from the positive terminal from the atv itself is fine. Any thoughts where to look would be greatly appreciated. Thnaking you in advance, Don
AnswerDon, electric start ATVs, motorcycles, cars, trucks and everything else operate on the same principle...
BATTERY+.... SOLENOID..... STARTER....GROUND.
The solenoid has two large internal contacts that connect the battery and the starter motor together. The primary windings on the solenoid create a magnetic field that closes the connection between the two large terminals inside.
The primary windings are
BATTERY... IGNITION SWITCH.... STARTER BUTTON... GROUND (usually).
Some solenoids just use the starter button to ground the primary circuit to energize the magnetic field. Others use the starter button as an inline switch back into the wiring circuits. I don't know the particulars of your machine.
You were able to jump start the starter motor with cables, so we know that the starter motor is okay. You can also bridge across the BATT and STARTER posts to do the same test. You will have to put a 12v test light on the solenoid circuit and check to see where you do and don't have voltage. Sometimes the internal contacts get burned or corroded and they just don't work, no matter how good everything else is. You should be able to check the solenoid with the test light and see it light up when push the starter button.
LAST THOUGHTS>>>> some bikes and motorcycles have "safety switches" on gearshift circuits, clutch circuits, etc. to prevent the starter motor from turning over if the bike is in gear or clutch is engaged....
Could be any one of the above issues...
Bill Silver
