The 400ex is the Honda's ATV (or better say quad?) which is pretty popular among Americans who love going off the road. This vehicle is so cool and reliable that you can use it on any terrain. And yes, it may look small, but on the track, it will overcome your expectations hundreds of times.
And still, a Honda 400ex may have some issues. One of the most common ones is the starting problem. We've heard from a lot of owners that now and then, they just can't start their quads with starters and need to do some magic over them to get them started and going.
Well, we would say you shouldn't take your Honda 400ex far away from the road if you don't know anything about its technical side. So, let's see why it can refuse to start.
What can cause a bad starting in your Honda 400ex?
Well, a lot of things can prevent your Honda ATV from starting. First of all, you should check whether the vehicle has some fuel in its tank. Very often, 400ex owners find their ATVs having run out of fuel in the middle of nowhere. And this is sad of course, but here we can't help at all.
Symptom 1: The starter and engine rotate but the engine doesn't start - probably, no fuel in the tank.
Then, your task is to understand if your battery is working properly. Sometimes, poor cranking is the reason why the ATV's engine may not start. Recharging the battery or replacing it may fix the problem, in this case.
Symptom 2: The starter and the engine won't turn when you try to start your Honda - probably, the battery is flat.
If that's OK, the next task is to check the spark plug and coil. They may have gone bad and that's why your engine can't start and work properly. For checking this, you need to unscrew the spark plug and then put a wire back on it and turn the starter for a second or two. Don't see a spark? Then, the plug or the coil are bad.
Symptom 3: The starter and the engine rotate, the fuel is delivered, but the engine doesn't start - probably, problems with the spark plug or coil.
If the spark appears to be OK, let's go further. In some cases, you may hear the starter working in a strange way. For example, it can rotate very fast, but the engine doesn't rotate. The most possible reason for this is the death of the one-way-starter clutch. Replacement or repair would be the only solution.
Symptom 4: The starter rotates fast, but the engine doesn't rotate - probably, the one-way clutch is over.
Finally, some wiring may be in charge of bad starting. For example. a wire that connects the starter to the battery may go bad or just disconnect at some place. This will result in dead silence when you press the start button.
Symptom 5: The starter and engine are silent, nothing happens when you try to start the ATV - probably, the wiring should be blamed.
Can you push start your Honda 400ex?
Since the starting problems are so common with the Honda legendary ATV, we decided to investigate another important thing - can you push start this vehicle? Actually, yes, you can. Even though it has electric start, you can just put the key in the ON position and try to push start the ATV.
The easiest way is to put it in fifth or fourth gear and then make another quad tow your Honda. Once the speed is decent, release the clutch and it should fire up unless it has some other technical issues.
Also, you can try to push the ATV by yourself and then start it from the third or the second gear. It's not that easy but still possible.
Though, we don't recommend doing this much. You can push start your quad once or twice in an emergency, but doing this on a regular basis will almost certainly affect the clutch and the gearbox of the Honda 400ex.
Final words
The starting problems in your ATV may come from many different things like spark plug issues, wiring problems, a malfunctioning starter, etc. But almost always you can deal with these problems even if you are riding your ATV alone in the middle of nowhere. Sometimes, you will still need some help, so make sure you are able to call for help when you are having fun off the road.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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