250sx starter question [Archive]

HoustonAE2

07-22-2014, 08:57 AM

Okay when I bought my SX the owner said that it will only kick start. Apparently someone tried to jack the ignition and screwed it all up. So I replaced the key switch, got a new battery and bam! Electric starter cranks right up. After working on it for some time now all it does click and the starter does not engage...needing starter rebuild??? :wondering

I tried jumping it and charging the battery...no go...

HoustonAE2

07-22-2014, 09:06 AM

So I started looking and noticed a HUGE difference in price between FreeBay prices and prices at placed like BikeBandit and RockyMountain...does anyone run the FreeBay starter? Reviews/thoughts? I mean it is like a Benny in price difference here!!!

Flyingw

07-22-2014, 10:46 AM

I've bought a few of the Ebay starters and I haven't had any problems. I think I paid about 47.00 each. I got them from DB Electrical.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-STARTER-HONDA-ATV-ATC250SX-TRX250-FOURTRAX-85-86-/130813989905?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e751f1411&vxp=mtr

GSUwhiskers

07-22-2014, 02:03 PM

Flyingw would suggest buying a new starter or rebuilding the original?

Flyingw

07-22-2014, 02:24 PM

That's up to you but for me, I replace them.

GSUwhiskers

07-22-2014, 03:48 PM

UPNATM

07-22-2014, 05:09 PM

How much did that battery run you? I've got to replace mine down the road.

Good thread here....
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/162888-Need-to-buy-2-batteries-250-es-and-sx

And here is a link to a good priced battery.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/YTX12-BS-AGM-Battery-For-Honda-ATV-TRX250-Recon-FourTrax-TRX200-ATC-Kymco-MXU-/191250729743?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c876e8b0f&vxp=mtr#ht_5337wt_766

Flyingw

07-22-2014, 07:48 PM

I haven't had any issues thus far with that battery in the thread that was posted above.

UPNATM

07-22-2014, 07:58 PM

I haven't had any issues thus far with that battery in the thread that was posted above.

Nope, no issues here either. :D

HoustonAE2

07-28-2014, 06:45 PM

Good thread here....
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/162888-Need-to-buy-2-batteries-250-es-and-sx

And here is a link to a good priced battery.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/YTX12-BS-AGM-Battery-For-Honda-ATV-TRX250-Recon-FourTrax-TRX200-ATC-Kymco-MXU-/191250729743?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c876e8b0f&vxp=mtr#ht_5337wt_766

I got my battery from O'Reilly's Auto Parts and it ran me about 75. 5 year warrenty on it too so if it ever dies I can get another one.

HoustonAE2

07-28-2014, 06:49 PM

So update on my trike. Got the starter on order from Ebay and I figured I would replace the plug, oil, filter, diff fluid while I wait. Also got new fuel line and filter on just to be on the safe side...come in the next day and BAM battery is dead. Now realize this battery was bought in May so all of a sudden from yesterday to today I have a power drain.

I know the electrical is super simple on these bikes (compared to cars) but what is the most frequent cuplret for power drains?

GSUwhiskers

07-28-2014, 11:38 PM

This is a total shot in the dark since my battery is out of commission and has been since I got the bike, but number one has any wiring been messed with by you or the previous owner? When I say messed with I mean potential rewiring to the wrong position. If that is the case it is possible there is a battery wire running to something that is staying hot instead of turning off with the switch. So you're bike electric started yesterday and now it won't? And you're sure it's the battery being dead?

HoustonAE2

07-29-2014, 10:56 AM

No the harness is completely untouched. The only thing I did electrical was replace the Spark Plug, the starter has been out for about two months now and I am now just replacing it...this is weird because the battery always showed full charge all this time and then POOF dead.

In fact the only reason I am fixing the starter is because I am tired of kick starting it cold (the choke cable is stuck and it is a PAIN to kick start it that cold)

HoustonAE2

07-29-2014, 11:48 AM

My strategy is to replace one part at a time...eventually I will have all new components, which wont be so bad :)

Gotta love thirty year old ATCs!

Flyingw

07-29-2014, 02:15 PM

If you remove the neg battery cable and put a meter between the neg battery post and the neg battery cable, the meter will show if there is power being drawn with the key off. Set your meter for DC. If no power is being used in the key off position, your meter will show something like .0050 volts. It wont show zero. This is an important check to do so you know if something is or isn't drawing power while the key is off. If something is drawing power with the key off then you will see something like 12.6 volts DC on the meter. Do this check and report back.

GSUwhiskers

07-29-2014, 07:47 PM

How much of a pain is that starter to replace? I've never replaced one, and want to know what to expect.

chopdog

07-30-2014, 12:22 AM

just buy a new one off ebay.

HoustonAE2

07-30-2014, 01:00 PM

New starter from Ebay is arriving today.

As far as replacing it seems simple enough. Two bolts that hold it down and juse one wire to hook up...as easy as a car starter at least. We will see. Although I still need to check my connections to find out why my battery died within a day. Most likely due to a faulty ground wire. I will update once she is all good to go...or that is until I am stumped with a question :p

HoustonAE2

07-30-2014, 09:57 PM

So yea, new starter in and all is good. Never will stop being amazed at how great this 30 year old bike runs. Best 500 I ever spent!

As for the battery, traced out the harness and it was a simple ground that was cutting off all power. Fixed and took for a spin around the block. Little night ride was great in H-Town tonight