Dont know if the starter solenoid is shot or start switch on baja 50 atv.i can jump solenoid to turn engine over but starter switch wont work.how do i test the solenoid on one of these things?.is it the same procedure as on a riding mower, as far as testing the solenoid?.

Hey Ronald,
Wit the info you have provided, it might be the ignition switch..- not letting the engine start while jumping the solenoid.. no neutral light.all fuses good,,etc...
Take the switch off and take it to the dealer and have them check it electrically...

1. Make sure you have all the switches in the right place (kill switch..etc..)
1. With the key off - Take a screwdriver and jump the two big threaded connectors on the solenoid - the engine should turn over... if it doesn't - either the solenoid is bad -or you have no connections to the battery and/or starter. If it turns over, now turn the key on and see if it starts.. it should.
If this works.. the problem is probably the starter button.

If not...double check ALL the connections to the battery/solenoid/starter... you have probably left a wire off somewhere..( we have all done it!!)..make sure the right wires are in the right place...

YOU + WIRE GROUNDING OUT SOME WHERE.

Sorry I dont know much about quads, but it sounds like your key isn't on, or bad ignition switch

What happenes when you try to jump start the vehicle? If it starts - then it is most likely the battery or alternator. If it doesn't start then the solenoid or the starter or the engine. To get it down to the starter or engine - disconnect the serpentine belt and turn the crankshaft with a wrench. If it turns - then it is your starter/solenoid.

try jumping the two posts on the solenoid near the battery with key on , then try to start , if it starts or turns over it needs a solenoid, or the bendix is hanging up on the flywheel,had the same problem and took off my recoil cover and found teeth on bendix all chewed up and stuck on flywheel. try to pull the recoil start first and see if that releases bendix, if not remove recoil cover for inspection,or your starter is bad, if it sounded like an old dodge starting up prior to it not starting , its probably the bendix

Yes its the solenoid

Three possibilities I think:
First is weak battery. There may be enough juice to light the gauges but it takes power to turn an engine.

Second, bad solenoid. The solenoid is a relay which closes the high current circuit that delivers the cranking power to the starter motor. If you hear clicking in the engine compartment (not the starter) when you turn the ignition switch on it is probably the solenoid engaging and disengaging. However if the battery is weak it won't turn the starter motor. If the solenoid is clicking look at the battery first. The solenoid could be bad but the clicking indicates it's trying to work and there just may not be enough juice to turn over the engine.

Third possibility is the starter motor itself is dead. You have to answer some questions for yourself. Is this an old,neglected car or one that has been taken care of? I would be looking at battery. Can you jump start it? If yes then weak battery is the likely problem. If the car and battery are relatively new and in good condition you should suspect the charging system, that is, the alternator. Did this happen all of a sudden on a car that was running fine recently or has the car been sitting idle for weeks/months.Eliminate the easy stuff.
Clean battery terminals?
Good battery connections and ground?
Try jump start - if yes then follow up battery/charging system. If no start then try to hear for solenoid clicking. If jump start does nothing -figure the solenoid first. If it sounds like solenoid is kicking in but engine does not turn then the starter is looking a little guilty. Jump starting will answer a lot of questions. If the car is really dead then the car that is jumping may have to be connected and revved up a couple minutes to juice up the dead battery enough to turn the starter over. If it turns over a little during the jump start but just barely then you should figure your battery is bad.

if you can short out the starter solenoid to start the engine there are only two possible causes. first a bad solenoid or a faulty ignition switch. check wiring from ign. switch to starter soelnoid