Won't start - Honda Foreman Forums : Rubicon, Rincon, Rancher and Recon Forum

Dog · 09-06-2010, 11:31 PM

I have a 1998 400, It has been a GREAT bike for years. I went to the camp this weekend and it ran fine. Loaded it up in the truck for the trip home. Got home rolled it out the truck and it would not start. I ran the battery down trying to get it running. The funny thing is that it fires about 3 times when i slowley move the shifter from neutral to 1st as the starter is engaged. It also tries to start when i move the shifter to reverse with starter engaged. seems like a safety switch or relay?

2003 foreman es · 09-07-2010, 06:42 AM

to the forum... Check the simple stuff first. Charge battery, spark plug, make sure its getting fuel, on-off switches are on.

**toodeep** · 09-07-2010, 10:52 AM

Welcome, did you have the fuel petcock turned off when transporting the machine? I would guess a flooded motor and might just need a new spark plug.

Dog · 09-11-2010, 04:18 PM

All the simple things r good. I have more details, when i hit the start button and hold it down, the started turns and no fire from the spark plug. Put when i slowley release the start button the plug will spark a few times, this is with the plug out of the head of the engine. Also with the spark plug in the head and i preform the same test the enging fires up about 3 times. If a quickly move the started button in and out quickly it will run as long as i am pressing it in and out quickly. As soon as i let it go for a second it kills, or if i hold it all with way down it will nut run just engages the starter.

foreman480 · 09-11-2010, 04:23 PM

is there gas in your oil?

Dog · 09-11-2010, 10:38 PM

No oil in gas

Dog · 09-12-2010, 12:10 AM

Is theira switch r a relay that may be causing this?

foreman480 · 09-12-2010, 12:12 AM

did you try changing the spark plug just because it sparks some doesnt mean it cant still be bad

09-06-2010, 11:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dog Honda Rider Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Breaux Bridge, LA Posts: 5	Won't start I have a 1998 400, It has been a GREAT bike for years. I went to the camp this weekend and it ran fine. Loaded it up in the truck for the trip home. Got home rolled it out the truck and it would not start. I ran the battery down trying to get it running. The funny thing is that it fires about 3 times when i slowley move the shifter from neutral to 1st as the starter is engaged. It also tries to start when i move the shifter to reverse with starter engaged. seems like a safety switch or relay?

09-07-2010, 06:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
2003 foreman es Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Motor City Posts: 3,687	to the forum... Check the simple stuff first. Charge battery, spark plug, make sure its getting fuel, on-off switches are on. __________________ 03 Foreman ES Too much to list...

09-11-2010, 04:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
foreman480 Honda Rider Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Williamson Posts: 71	is there gas in your oil? __________________ '95 foreman 480---SOLD! looking for the next one might have to go to the dark side (non honda)

09-12-2010, 12:12 AM	#8 (permalink)
foreman480 Honda Rider Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Williamson Posts: 71	did you try changing the spark plug just because it sparks some doesnt mean it cant still be bad __________________ '95 foreman 480---SOLD! looking for the next one might have to go to the dark side (non honda)

09-07-2010, 10:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
toodeep Administrator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: south dakota Posts: 6,424	Welcome, did you have the fuel petcock turned off when transporting the machine? I would guess a flooded motor and might just need a new spark plug.

09-11-2010, 04:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dog Honda Rider Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Breaux Bridge, LA Posts: 5	All the simple things r good. I have more details, when i hit the start button and hold it down, the started turns and no fire from the spark plug. Put when i slowley release the start button the plug will spark a few times, this is with the plug out of the head of the engine. Also with the spark plug in the head and i preform the same test the enging fires up about 3 times. If a quickly move the started button in and out quickly it will run as long as i am pressing it in and out quickly. As soon as i let it go for a second it kills, or if i hold it all with way down it will nut run just engages the starter.

09-11-2010, 10:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dog Honda Rider Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Breaux Bridge, LA Posts: 5	No oil in gas

09-12-2010, 12:10 AM	#7 (permalink)
Dog Honda Rider Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Breaux Bridge, LA Posts: 5	Is theira switch r a relay that may be causing this?

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