Thread: Any ATV gurus here?

Hey guys.

Yesterday I jumped in my 2015 Pioneer 500 turned the key and only got a click. Turned the key again same results. Turned again and finally starter engaged and started the bike but starter didn't sounded right. About a minute later the starter was running again on it's own while driving but didn't engaged. Stopped bike turned key bike starts with a slight whine then starter started running again. Turned key off then on again and bike ran without issues for the rest of the morning but I didn't turn it off in fear of it dying somewhere. Bike is out in all sorts of weather, mud and crap.
Still got original starter and relay in there.
Does this sound like a starter problem or short in wiring or something?

Cheers BF

Start by replacing relay, the cheapest hopeful fix and go from there. In theory the go juice for starter runs through relay first so I would start there as simple start point and can reduce possibilities cheaply. Anything more will probably need to go to dealer to diagnose unless clued up on electronics.

Solenoid is playing up. Water ingress?? Replace the solenoid should solve the problem

Earthing issues can do weird things like that too, had one recently on a Nissan car. Unreliable starting performance with the odd click/whirr or nothing at all followed by a normal start and then a hang up and run on... Tested everything and no continuity between engine and battery negative, chased it back to the earth on the chassis. Unscrewed the main earth strap bolt and found the chassis threads covered in red paint and the bolt rusted up, not a chance that would work! Cleaned everything up and a bit of protective grease and it was working again, but battery was damaged from the experience so that needed to be replaced as well.

Solenoid is clicking so electrical circuit is good to there. Most likely worn starter brushes. Easy job to remove starter and check. Brushes not expensive. Since starter still works periodically the armature should be good with a resurface. Some weeks we’ll do 3-4 starters for the week then do none for a month. Get the odd one which magnets crap themselves, new starter then.

Thanks guys. Will try to make some time this week to poke around in it.

Originally Posted by woods223

Solenoid is clicking so electrical circuit is good to there. Most likely worn starter brushes. Easy job to remove starter and check. Brushes not expensive. Since starter still works periodically the armature should be good with a resurface. Some weeks we’ll do 3-4 starters for the week then do none for a month. Get the odd one which magnets crap themselves, new starter then.

You say that, but in my case the solenoid was clicking or the car was starting a lot of the time with the occasional nothing - total refusal. The earth was the issue, mega high resistance through the strap to the chassis. First time I tested it, it tested fine too. I have a thing where I test twice, legacy of marine with funky chunky bits growing in the electrics. Second time, complete refusal to make a circuit - no other changes (a WTF moment). You start second guessing yourself and pushing on the test leads harder in that situation... I hear that about rebuilding starters though, I did about 18 in my best month in marine electrical and most of the time in boats you have to pull half of the crap off the engine to get to the bloody thing! Nothing worse than getting the replacement starter in and finding out it fouls the heat exhanger or aftercooler and you can't get the original one with the OEM configuration any more. Time to do some sketchy sh1te!!!

I've got a newer model pioneer 500 and a 520 and the only issue they have had is chewing starter motors so it's probably a known issue with the model if you're getting the same

We haven’t had a 520 do a starter motor yet so haven’t had one out. 520 has different part number so may be modified starter, guess I’ll find out in due course. @No.3 , I gave my advise based on what I’ve experienced working in a Honda M/c dealership where we work on these machines every day. If the solenoid is clicking it’s generally working. Any fault is either power lead from solenoid, rare, or starter earth, just as rare. This leaves starter motor.

From my experience buggered brushes or dodgy earth rarely make the starter run by itself, normally they just won't turn over at all. Some models do throw off the magnets but again that stops them from going at all , not running away by themselves.
They do also have a habit of buggering the starter switch in switchblock .
Brushes are a simple fix but doesn't sound like the issue going by description and if magnets self destructed then starter replacement required.
Still my bet is on something other than brushes if it is activating itself so I would still start with relay or solenoid. That said they do chew up starter brushes fairly quickly.
Should be the same starter on 500 and 520 . I think you'll find part number changed due to different supplier.

“Should be the same starter on 500 and 520 . I think you'll find part number changed due to different supplier.”
Yeah,nah. Model code is different, same supplier. Using starter from other model group. Anyhow, irrelavent as OP is talking about Pioneer 500. We had DOC machine in a few weeks ago with similar symptoms. Turned out to be brushes worn and sticking, feeding current through relay. Only takes a few minutes to pull and strip starter to check. Also should be MIL codes showing on dash if a problem.

Hi Boar freak, check the battery terminals and solenoid connections are clean and tight and battery is fully charged, then check if there is power at the positive lead on the starter, no power- faulty solenoid, power there- remove starter and check brushes, replace if worn, also check magnets are intact in starter, if the magnets are damaged you'll need a new starter.
Cheers Brett @ Ewan Allan Honda Gore

Jeeze I fucked up tonight!.Grabbed the wrong jerry can and put diesel in the quad. Siphoned it after realizing but its died.Topped it up with petrol.

Is it fucked or repairable?

If you can drain fuel bowl/carburetor n prime it with petrol it should go. Diesel is lower octane so wont spark n explode in piston.

Petrol in a diesel on the hand....can be more interesting.

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thanks