Honda Motorcycle & ATV Starting Problems Q&A
From starter motors to relays to solenoids, things can get confusing when it comes to diagnosing starting problems with a Honda motorcycle or ATV. Even the clutch can contribute to starting problems.
Partzilla's resident powersports expert John Talley goes live every Friday at 3pm Eastern on our YouTube channel, and in this session, John answers a few questions about starting problems with Honda motorcycles and ATVs.
Honda ATV Starting Problems
The starter in my 2007 Honda Foreman is strong out of my hand but when I stick it back in, it does nothing. What could be the problem?
John Talley: So you’re saying you can test the starter out on the table and it does what it’s supposed to do but when you pop it back in, it does nothing? Well, follow the chain further back up on the unit itself and check out the starter solenoid and see if that’s what’s causing the issue. Another thing is that if you’re sure about the solenoid, check the engine ground that goes to the frame. Make sure that isn’t loose or corroded. I’ve seen that cause the problem you’re describing before.
Watch the video above to see how to test powersports vehicle starters.
Watch the video below to see how to test powersports vehicle starter relays.
What can be the problem on a 2002 Honda 400EX if it starts pulling itself forward when you try to start it as if it was in gear but it won’t turn on?
John Talley: Alright, well that sounds like a couple of different things. To begin with, it sounds like your clutch is out of adjustment and it needs to be set correctly. But I’m a little concerned that if you’re in neutral and it still tries to creak forward, that would indicate that your shift drum is not positioning the shift fork correctly if the shift fork was bent, and the gear is not completely disengaging because in neutral, it shouldn’t try to creak forward. Especially on that model, so I think you maybe have a combination of clutch adjustment and a potential transmission issue with your shift fork.
Watch the video above to see how to do a clutch lever adjustment on a Honda ATV.
Watch the video above to see how to replace the clutch on a Honda ATV.
Honda Motorcycle Starting Problems
My 2008 Honda CBR 1000RR doesn’t start because there’s no spark coming through. Where should I turn to fix that problem?
John Talley: I believe we did a no-start condition video on an ’06 CBR 600RR so if you would, reference that video in which I walk you through a few different things you can check. But it could be a lot of different things. Start with the simplest things first. Check your battery voltage, look at your fuses, and then check your side stand to make sure it’s not down and keeping it from starting. And then it could be the clutch switch, the neutral position switch, I mean there are several things you can check, and I walk through several of those and how to run them down, and it should translate over to your 1000.
Watch the video above to see how to troubleshoot starter problems with a Honda motorcycle.
Want to see more live repair questions answered? See more motorcycle and ATV repair questions answered here.