Mechanical Question Regarding Motorbike

[blackwrx]

I have a TRX 400 EX quad with a fairly newly rebuilt motor, I purchased a new battery today. When I went to start the bike it didnt turn over just clicked from the solenoid - not lots of clicks like when you have a flat battery just one solid click, the bike did not turn over at all.

Is it likely to be the Solenoid or starter motor that's the problem?

Is there a way I can turn over the engine easily by hand to ensure the engine is still OK?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Brandonn]

push start?

[Ace]

most quads have a pull start somewhere - but if it is a solid click sounds like the starter is not to crash hot or seized - honder quads are notorious for starter probs

or tow it behind a ute slowly and click it into gear - if ya hold the gear lever up it will be in neutral then let it down to engage it - if its one of those electric shift ones ya in trouble

Edited 17/04/09 09:57 AM by Ace

[ZAP]

You can pull the sparkplugs out and put it in gear, this should allow it to be turned over.

If it does not turnover, you have a serious probelm

[blackwrx]

I have disconnected the solenoid and the connected the battery direct to the starter motor, the bike is now turning over, does this suggest that the solenoid is stuffed, hope so as they are only $60.00.

Thanks

[Adam]

No.

The start solenoid (on the starter motor) engages the starter into mesh to turn the motor over.

If the solenoid wasn't working the starter would spin but not turn the motor over.

[jsmith]

not entirely true adam as the power still runs through the solenoid. if the solenoid was stuffed the starter wouldn't turn either, as the solenoid engages, it not only pulls/pushes the bendix gear into mesh with the ring gear, it also creates a bridge for the power get to the starter.

at a guess, check the brushes in the starter though, sometimes when they wear out they will create similar symptons, however when you were taking the solenoid off you may have bumped the starter enough to create enough contact to get the starter to spin up.

anyway, now that you know the starter will spin, replace the solenoid and see what happens. if it is easy enough to take it off completely try it like that too.

[Adam]

Yeah I know all that...

He's said he hooked it straight to the starter. If you bridge it with a screw driver you can make the starter spin without the solenoid engaging and visa versa.