I got another four wheeler for cheap, but this one wll not start

[SAWYER]

Any ideas? It is a 90's Honda Fourtrax 300 or 350 2x4, shaft drive. It has great compression, I got it for 150. Tomorrow I am going to check it out, I just looked it over and made sure it would turn over and gladly paid the 150. I know it is worth what I paid easily.
http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/4670/m1040002.jpg

 

[jlee]

I'd start with the basics...air, fuel, spark. If you're missing one, there's your problem.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Push it, catch it, put in gear and hopefully it will start.

 

[Eli]

That's a steal for $150.

 

[WT]

Does it turn over at all ?? If it turns over, then you have a good starter and CDI. It will take a very thorough carb cleaning at the very least. Pull the plug and check for spark first.

Lots of things to check, including the kill switch itself, loose grounds,bad gas, etc.

 

[SAWYER]

Yes it will turn over if I jump the cylanoid. The wiring has been messed with, they have rigged up some kind of button, not sure what it does.

 

[JCH13]

Yes it will turn over if I jump the cylanoid. The wiring has been messed with, they have rigged up some kind of button, not sure what it does.

Solenoid?

And hmm... messed up hack wiring? Sort that out :awe:

 

[SAWYER]

I found a honda forum that has free pdf service manuals for all models, that should help

 

[WT]

Wiring hacks are always a treat ! Previous owner either couldn't resolve the initial problem or didn't want to pay for the part to fix it.
A bad battery would also prevent the fuel pump from getting gas to the carb, assuming that model has a pump.

My money is on the kill switch or the CDI box.

 

[SAWYER]

Ok I just went out and jumped it at the solenoid and it started right up! I followed that button and it looks like it patches in to the solenoid and I think it is a rigged up starter button. I am letting it run right now to build up the battery.

 

[Gillbot]

Ok I just went out and jumped it at the solenoid and it started right up! I followed that button and it looks like it patches in to the solenoid and I think it is a rigged up starter button. I am letting it run right now to build up the battery.

Use a charger to charge the battery, not the alternator.

 

[SAWYER]

I just kick started it, and it fired up fine! I just rode it around the yard

 

[SuperSix]

Use a charger to charge the battery, not the alternator.

This. Alternators are for maintaining a charge, not building a charge. And they are a PITA to replace in quads.

Nice find!

Where are you finding these? Local Craigslist?

 

[SAWYER]

Yes. He was asking 350, I offered 200. When I get there I realized I only had 150 on me and told him I would come back tomorrow and I guess she thought I wouldn't come back, let it go for 150!

 

[JCH13]

Yes. He was asking 350, I offered 200. When I get there I realized I only had 150 on me and told him I would come back tomorrow and I guess she thought I wouldn't come back, let it go for 150!

Slick!

 

[WT]

If you have any Harbor Freight stores in your area, pick up a Battery Tender for about $7. I use them on my garden tractor and ATV and they do a great job of maintaining the battery, giving it a float charge without overvolting and cooking it.

Nice find ! When I was looking to buy an ATV, I found great deals in FLA, TX and AZ. They must rent them out year round and sell them after 4-5 years.

 

[SuperSix]

If you have any Harbor Freight stores in your area, pick up a Battery Tender for about $7. I use them on my garden tractor and ATV and they do a great job of maintaining the battery, giving it a float charge without overvolting and cooking it.

Nice find ! When I was looking to buy an ATV, I found great deals in FLA, TX and AZ. They must rent them out year round and sell them after 4-5 years.

I love those cheap HF battery tenders. I got a few when they were on sale for $3.99 - I use one on my ATV, and one on the Buick.

$9.99 online, they always go on sale though.
http://www.harborfreight.com/automatic-battery-float-charger-42292.html

 

[SAWYER]

we have one of those stores but I have never been in there

 

[Zap]

we have one of those stores but I have never been in there

Harbor Freight? It's a discount hardware shop. Really cheap prices, and sometimes "cheap" quality, but I've found it to be of reasonable value.

 

[SAWYER]

I scored another Honda today. A 1984 Big red 200, the plastic is good as well. The carb needs to be cleaned and it needs a battery and the pull start fixed. The guy fired it up by spraying some starting fluid in it. I am probably taking a gamble but whatever, I got it for 225. He gave me an extra carb with it.

 

[Gillbot]

Harbor Freight? It's a discount hardware shop. Really cheap prices, and sometimes "cheap" quality, but I've found it to be of reasonable value.

If you watch what you buy and use good judgment, they are fine typically. People go in there and pay $0.25 for an adjustable wrench then cry when it breaks. I mean, what do you expect!! But if you look them over and pick/choose, you can save a lot of money on some good tools. Plus their Pittsburgh tools have a lifetime warranty as well.

If you have any Harbor Freight stores in your area, pick up a Battery Tender for about $7. I use them on my garden tractor and ATV and they do a great job of maintaining the battery, giving it a float charge without overvolting and cooking it.

Nice find ! When I was looking to buy an ATV, I found great deals in FLA, TX and AZ. They must rent them out year round and sell them after 4-5 years.

Personally, I'd spend a little more on the Schumacher battery maintainer. They can typically be grabbed at Wal-mart for well under $20 when on sale or sniped from your friendly online auction behemoth.

I have been meaning to grab one of those HF battery tenders though to try out on my garden tractor. The battery for it was only $18 so if it cooks it, no big loss.

 

[Lemon law]

Cars that do not start are the best kind, they waste far less expensive gasoline. And even better yet, they don't spew emissions to pollute our atmosphere.