[DDS]

I know this is a hunting form but I thought I would see if anyone on here could help me, or knew anything about small engins.

Last night I moved my quad from a friends house, first time starting in about a month or so. Well at first the lights wouldnt go on, then after about 2 min they came on. Then I try starting and nothing it doesnt even turn over, the neutral light isnt even on. Then the neutral light flickers, once its on the engin cranks. Takes 2-3 cranks to get it going. I turn it off and take it home.
Ever since I have gotten it home I cant get any of the electrical stuff to work, lights dont come on, doesnt crank, neutral light doesnt come on, nothing.

I checked the battery and it has 11.89 volts, the fuse is still good as far as I can tell, it has gas, the gas is on. I looked at the wiring really fast to see if anything was chewed all looks fine.

Any suggestions as to what to look at or do?
Thank you in advance

 

[OUTBACKEAGLE]

Fully charged battery is 12.8 volts a dead battery is 12.1. Charge or replace your battery

 

[NJBowmen]

Sounds like a loose connection or bad ground. Check that 1st

 

[bronzecollector]

Do you have a battery charger? Hook it up and see if anything comes on. Just because the battery is reading 11.89 doesn't mean it has enough juice to run anything.

 

[DDS]

OK I will try that. Can I hook it up to a car?

 

[NJBowmen]

I wouldn't try the car thing unless u want jump it off the battery only with out the car running

 

[bronzecollector]

Can I hook it up to a car

Sure, no problem.

 

[DDS]

OK so I tried to jump it... same as before.
I am completely baffled. I can work on engins and all but as soon as I get to electronics I have no idea what im doing.

 

[bronzecollector]

How about a little more info on the quad? Make, model, size, etc.

 

[JeepGuY]

I would start with checking battery since it sat for a while. You can have 12volts and 3 amps. Check battery first

 

[repoman1]

battery is beat

 

[jerseybowhunter]

check connections on the battery, most likely a easy fix. dont jump it off a car battery with the car running, that will burn the starter selinoid up. if the connections are good, get a new battery

 

[homework]

check battery bolts make sure good connection and tight, next check power to key switch, it may be a bad ignition switch. make and model would help. Check connectors especally the ones by handle bars where the wires are always moving with steering.

 

[DDS]

its a 1993 honda 300ex

next check power to key switch

Thanks I forgot my friends 300 switch went too so I will check that and the handle bar wires tomorrow, because it is mostly everything at the handle bars that dont work. so I will look at those connections tomorrow.

 

[jerseybowhunter]

id bet its a loose battery cable or bad ground bc of where the 300ex battery sits under the rear fender, it is constantly covered in mud and the ground wire is only a few inches long that goes right to the frame.

 

[DDS]

OK thank you, that does make sense. I have kept mine clean for the most part, washed it after every ride . but I could have missed something up there by the battery I will clean it really good around that ground wire. The wires them selves seam to be tight, but that just as to the wiggle test. I will take a wrench to it in the morning.

 

[bu la ia]

Check the ignition switch or the cdi box oooorrrr the relay that the battery cables plug into you may want to buy a tester liht they really come in handy when trying to troubleshoot electrical issues

 

[rayneboo]

Sounds like a loose connection or bad ground. Check that 1st

This sounds like your prob.

 

[DDS]

Check the ignition switch or the cdi box oooorrrr the relay that the battery cables plug into you may want to buy a tester liht they really come in handy when trying to troubleshoot electrical issues

I have a tester and have been using it but still im not entirely sure as to what to look for.
Question what is the CDI box?

this morning I checked all connections on the quad and they are all tight with no mud. Battery cables are on tight and have a good connection including the ground. The ground wire had some mud on the end of the wire that hooks onto the frame but its hardly anything.

 

[redneckdad]

look for a kinked wire, sounds like a dryrotted wire inside somewhere