honda fourtrax 200
ron
has a problem.
Intermittently, the dog gone thing will not start with the starter button.
It will pull start. The Ignition switch seems to be working ok. and the
starter turns over fine. It just will not start with the electric start.
Now, if it were just me, I would use the cord and not worry about it, but my
son is only fourteen-years-old and can't quite manage to start it with the
cord.
He saved all his money for a couple of years to buy this four wheeler, so I
really would like to get to the bottom of this problem.
Any help would be appreciated.
James
battery, to make sure it has enough umpphhhh to turn the starter fast
enough to get it to start.
It is possible that the combination of a weak battery, together with a
fouled or used up spark plug, doesn't provide the right combination to start
with the electric start.
You know you can jump it with jumper cables and a car battery, to see if you
can get it to start that way, using the electric start.
Finally, check the battery to see if it needs water. Even most of the
so-called "sealed" ones have a plastic strip that you can remove with a
screwdriver, and add distilled water. Then crank it with the hand starter
and have your son ride it an hour or so, to see if the battery takes a
better charge.
Just some basic ideas, but have worked for me in the past, on the very same
Honda atv.
Good luck, and let us know your outcome.
James
GTD
starter AND the ignition together. I'd also check the starter to make
sure it's not on it's way out, and drawing too much amperage.
Trying the starter while jumping it from a known good 12v source is a
good idea.
-ron
"ron" <capnca...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:7IGdnZ3Ujslr95PV...@trueband.net...
Try getting the Serial Number off the frame and going over to the local
Honda shop to get the model year. Then, you can order a shop manual to get
you going.
Bradley V. Stone
Does it make any sound or turn over at all when the starter button is
pushed? Does it only happen when it's cold/hot? Does it click at all?
etc... the more info you can provide, the better.
Now, all things aside, a 14 year old that can't pull start a 200 maybe
needs to do something besides riding an ATV. :) That was my dads rule
and I learned really quick to start our minibikes/three wheelers.
Probably around 8 or 9 years old. Of course, that was after we were
done hoeing the corn out at the farm (or picking rocks from fields, etc).
I wish they wouldn't put starter buttons an smaller ATVs. For my kids
it will be once you can pull start/kick start it, you can ride it.
Before then, ride your bike. :)
Pieter
pull-started since the ignition is either a magneto (self generating) or
runs directly off the stator (generator), so no battery is necessary to run
the bike once started. So I would look for something in the starter
circuit. ATVs are hard on batteries - mine only last about 2 - 3 years
each. If the battery doesn't seem to hold a charge after the bike has been
run a while, a bad battery could be the answer. I'd first check out the
battery and then check the starter motor, any solenoids and/or the switch
itself. Clicking noises indicate a solenoid trying to engage, a clattering
noise is often the sign that the battery is too low to turn the starter over
but that there is a conplete circuit to the motor. No noise whatsoever means
no circuit to the solenoid.
In addition, I'd also second the seemingly unsympathetic comment about a 14
year old having difficulty pull starting. By the time I was 14, I had pull
or crank started about everything on the family homestead. Believe it or
not, getting the starter pulley positioned right and delivering the right
yank are acquired skills - let him struggle a bit.
This is also a good time for some "male bonding." Why not have him help you
investigate and solve the problem? That will help develop those mechanical
and problem solving skills.
"Bradley V. Stone" <bvs...@nospam.yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:419bf$480f4f66$4802d591$13...@myclearwave.net...
GTD
>
> Now, all things aside, a 14 year old that can't pull start a 200 maybe
> needs to do something besides riding an ATV. :)
So if a kid is slight of build, he can't ride an ATV? That's an asinine
blanket-rule to make. Nice job of trying to alienate a kid that isn't as
big as others.
> That was my dads rule
> and I learned really quick to start our minibikes/three wheelers.
> Probably around 8 or 9 years old. Of course, that was after we were
> done hoeing the corn out at the farm (or picking rocks from fields, etc).
>
> I wish they wouldn't put starter buttons an smaller ATVs. For my kids
> it will be once you can pull start/kick start it, you can ride it.
> Before then, ride your bike. :)
That's all fine and good with 2-strokes that are relatively easy to
start, but there aren't many of them these days, and the ride the OP is
talking about isn't one of them.
Bradley V. Stone
> Bradley V. Stone wrote:
>
>>
>> Now, all things aside, a 14 year old that can't pull start a 200 maybe
>> needs to do something besides riding an ATV. :)
> So if a kid is slight of build, he can't ride an ATV? That's an asinine
> blanket-rule to make. Nice job of trying to alienate a kid that isn't as
> big as others.
What? wow! Where did that come from? What 14 year old couldn't
pull/kick start a 200cc 4 stroke motor? Well, I'm sure there are some
rare cases, but seriously... "as big"... "slight of build" wtf does
that even mean?
I started riding at around 8. I was lucky to be pushing 100# then. I
would hope most 14 year olds would be slightly bigger than an 8 year old.
When my dad said "start it and you can ride it" I learned really quick.
Motivation is good sometimes.
>
>
>> That was my dads rule
>> and I learned really quick to start our minibikes/three wheelers.
>> Probably around 8 or 9 years old. Of course, that was after we were
>> done hoeing the corn out at the farm (or picking rocks from fields, etc).
>>
>> I wish they wouldn't put starter buttons an smaller ATVs. For my kids
>> it will be once you can pull start/kick start it, you can ride it.
>> Before then, ride your bike. :)
> That's all fine and good with 2-strokes that are relatively easy to
> start, but there aren't many of them these days, and the ride the OP is
> talking about isn't one of them.
>
Maybe maybe not... but 4 stroke may be a "little" harder to pull or
kick, but they start a LOT easier than a 2 stroke did, even when tuned
perfectly. I grew up with both. I was pull starting bigger machines
than that at that age. Even bump starting motorcycles and cars. :)
and no, I wasn't a 260 pound freak who could bench 500lbs. I'm almost
40 now and finally did 225 for 3 sets of 8 just the other day. lol..
sad for a 235lb 6'3" guy who's been working out (without a spotter in my
defense) for 8 months.
Laughing yet? Hope so.. lighten up dude! Or I'll sick the Icon on ya!
hahah...
Pieter
when I was just a 120 pound 14 year old, I was firing up my father's walk
behind brush hog which had a Wisconsin single cylinder engine that was
started by wrapping a rope around a pulley - not even a recoil. It had a
massive flywheel, and took a huge pull to get it going. After learning how
to pull start that beast I probably would have pulled the engine right out
of a Honda 200. This is not about two stroke engines being easier to
start - the hardest starting engine (most force on the recoil) I have ever
encountered was a Stihl chain saw I used to own. It was almost impossible,
and I suspect it might have had some kind of gas leak from the carb into the
crankcase since it seemed like it would "hydrolock" and refuse to turn over
at all sometimes. But I digress. I totally agree with the person who
suggested "if you want to ride it, start it." I have had several ATVs
(Honda 3-wheelers, Yamaha 200, Arctic Cat 500) that have primary or back up
recoils. I have used them all. They are not much more difficult to start
than my 5 hp rotary lawnmower. Beside, what's a kid gonna do if the starter
fails out in the boonies?
GTD
> GTD wrote:
>> Bradley V. Stone wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Now, all things aside, a 14 year old that can't pull start a 200
>>> maybe needs to do something besides riding an ATV. :)
>> So if a kid is slight of build, he can't ride an ATV? That's an
>> asinine blanket-rule to make. Nice job of trying to alienate a kid
>> that isn't as big as others.
>
> What? wow! Where did that come from? What 14 year old couldn't
> pull/kick start a 200cc 4 stroke motor?
> Well, I'm sure there are some
> rare cases, but seriously... "as big"... "slight of build" wtf does
> that even mean?
That's simple English, are you really telling me you don't know what
those words mean?
>
> I started riding at around 8. I was lucky to be pushing 100# then. I
> would hope most 14 year olds would be slightly bigger than an 8 year old.
#100 lbs at 8 is no small kid, but if the 14 year old ISN"T BIGGER? I
guess the kid doesn't matter than.
>
> When my dad said "start it and you can ride it" I learned really quick.
> Motivation is good sometimes.
Lol, motivate the kid to GROW. What a joke.
>
>>
>>
>>> That was my dads rule
>>> and I learned really quick to start our minibikes/three wheelers.
>>> Probably around 8 or 9 years old. Of course, that was after we were
>>> done hoeing the corn out at the farm (or picking rocks from fields,
>>> etc).
>>>
>>> I wish they wouldn't put starter buttons an smaller ATVs. For my
>>> kids it will be once you can pull start/kick start it, you can ride
>>> it. Before then, ride your bike. :)
>> That's all fine and good with 2-strokes that are relatively easy to
>> start, but there aren't many of them these days, and the ride the OP
>> is talking about isn't one of them.
>>
>
> Maybe maybe not... but 4 stroke may be a "little" harder to pull or
> kick, but they start a LOT easier than a 2 stroke did, even when tuned
> perfectly. I grew up with both. I was pull starting bigger machines
> than that at that age. Even bump starting motorcycles and cars. :) and
> no, I wasn't a 260 pound freak who could bench 500lbs. I'm almost 40
> now and finally did 225 for 3 sets of 8 just the other day. lol.. sad
> for a 235lb 6'3" guy who's been working out (without a spotter in my
> defense) for 8 months.
>
> Laughing yet? Hope so.. lighten up dude! Or I'll sick the Icon on ya!
> hahah...
No, I really don't see what is funny about an elitist mentality. I have
two nephews, the younger quite large for his size, his older brother,
quite small. You're ideology is that the one that is three years younger
gets to ride before the older brother, due to nothing more than
genetics. I can't imagine a more stupid line of thinking.
You're 6'3", which is bigger than average, so of course you're going to
put emphasis on size, and alienating those without it. I hope the OP
ignores your advice.
Bradley V. Stone
> No, I really don't see what is funny about an elitist mentality. I have
> two nephews, the younger quite large for his size, his older brother,
> quite small. You're ideology is that the one that is three years younger
> gets to ride before the older brother, due to nothing more than
> genetics. I can't imagine a more stupid line of thinking.
> You're 6'3", which is bigger than average, so of course you're going to
> put emphasis on size, and alienating those without it. I hope the OP
> ignores your advice.
Elitist? Hahaha!!! I better go polish my steel toed boots.
All kidding aside, in no way am I alienating. I made a comment about if
you can't start (without just your thumb) it you shouldn't ride it.
It's called an opinion. I didn't call you names or try to belittle your
opinions. Show a little courtesy and intelligence.
That was my dad's rule, that will be my rule. It doesn't have to be
YOUR rule or the OPs rule.
Anyone can ride an ATV... not everyone can CONTROL an ATV. Otherwise
you might DIE. (see, I can be an extremest too).
Not to far out of reach. If you can't start it, chances are pretty good
you can't lift the rear end out of the mud, or out of a tight corner, or
if you hit a bump the wrong way force it straight, etc...
BTW, research the laws on how old you have to be (or "should" be) to
ride 200ccs.. you may find I'm actually liberal in my thinking...
Yuk.. did i just call myself a liberal.. *HACK*
GTD
> GTD wrote:
>> No, I really don't see what is funny about an elitist mentality. I
>> have two nephews, the younger quite large for his size, his older
>> brother, quite small. You're ideology is that the one that is three
>> years younger gets to ride before the older brother, due to nothing
>> more than genetics. I can't imagine a more stupid line of thinking.
>> You're 6'3", which is bigger than average, so of course you're going
>> to put emphasis on size, and alienating those without it. I hope the
>> OP ignores your advice.
>
> Elitist? Hahaha!!! I better go polish my steel toed boots.
>
> All kidding aside, in no way am I alienating.
> I made a comment about if
> you can't start (without just your thumb) it you shouldn't ride it.
> It's called an opinion. I didn't call you names or try to belittle your
> opinions. Show a little courtesy and intelligence.
Lol, INTELLIGENCE, you don't even know what "slight of build" means and
you're accusing someone of not showing intelligence, I bet the OPs 14
year old kid knows THAT.
Courtesy? give it up, You've showed little else that some hillbilly "If
he ain't big and strong like me he shouldn't even be allowed to ride"
bullshit, yet you talk of COURTESY.
>
> That was my dad's rule, that will be my rule. It doesn't have to be
> YOUR rule or the OPs rule.
>
> Anyone can ride an ATV... not everyone can CONTROL an ATV. Otherwise
> you might DIE. (see, I can be an extremest too).
Yea, that is extremist, , glad you aren't trying to pass that off as
intelligent thinking. .
>
> Not to far out of reach. If you can't start it, chances are pretty good
> you can't lift the rear end out of the mud, or out of a tight corner, or
> if you hit a bump the wrong way force it straight, etc...
You're grasping there, ,
>
> BTW, research the laws on how old you have to be (or "should" be) to
> ride 200ccs.. you may find I'm actually liberal in my thinking...
Oh, the old "It's the law so it mush be right" approach.. . Few states
have laws on what you can RIDE, except on state or federal land. No need
to try and misrepresent the truth. I'm still waiting for and explanation
of how not letting the kid ride is going to motivate him to GROW. What a
joke. .
Bradley V. Stone
> Courtesy? give it up, You've showed little else that some hillbilly "If
> he ain't big and strong like me he shouldn't even be allowed to ride"
> bullshit, yet you talk of COURTESY.
I obviously struck a nerve with you.. lol. I never said anything
about "strong like me." Again, my dad's rule and my rule are for my
kids are if you can't start it, you can't ride it. That must bring
flashbacks to childhood for your or something. But more on that later.
> No need
> to try and misrepresent the truth. I'm still waiting for and explanation
> of how not letting the kid ride is going to motivate him to GROW. What a
> joke. .
It's called motivation. Something a lot of kids lack these days.
Are you really saying that someone can't learn to pull start a 200cc
motor? It's not even strength I'm talking about. If strength is the
problem, we're back to square one. Put down the XBox and ride your
bike. If you're that frail, you'll never be able to control the machine
safely in hairy situations.
Maybe you should see a shrink if a small comment like that bothers you
so much to bitch and moan for 3 days.... that's a big nerve I hit.. lol
Jeff
"Pieter" <pvcl@*nospam*plitch.com> wrote in message
news:4811c449$0$12924$4c36...@roadrunner.com...
AAA?
I agree with the start it, you can ride it' poster whole heartedly.
When I was 9 I ran my first 'dirt bike' (10 yr old 1969 Honda trail 90)out
of gas about 3 miles from the family camp. I walked home whining to my
father, expecting a ride back. His reply? 'How come you didn't push 'er
back?'. Then it was, 'OK, you know where the gas can is and how to fill 'er
up....go get the damned can and walk back with the can and bring the can and
the bike back!'.
If yer old enough to operate the goddamned thing, you ought to be old
enough to push/kick/pull start it. My 12 yr old daughter (who weighs 95
pounds wringing wet) had to pull start the 2000 Rancher 350 2wd from cold
before she could drive it herself and ride WITH us. Did I tell her how to do
it? Well, yeah. Am I confident she could bring it home if she were allowed
to go alone (she's not) with a dead battery? Well, yeah.
If a kid is so 'slight of build' he or she can't manually start an ATV they
should definitely NOT be operating the machine out of sight of the parent.
If the kid can't manually start a 200 cc machine, maybe they should be on a
70 cc or 90 cc machine. For that matter if the kid can't check the oil, fuel
(and if you ride old LC Polarises, the radiator free of buildup) they
shouldn't be operating a machine at all. (Yeah, I learned the fuel the hard
way -- see above)
Toughen up. This ain't no video game.
Jeff
(safety officer and VP of one of the bigger ATV Clubs in Maine, and ATVing
since 1979, TYVM)