Quad question for mechanics out there

[Vsekvsek]

I have a 1994 kodiak 450 yamaha. It started this grinding noise lately on push button start. The pull start starts it just fine. It runs just fine too.
Everyone tells me its the selenoid. Theres no yamaha shop within about 80 miles of me so i think i am stuck buying online.
I cant seem to find an exact part for a 94 for it. Closest i found was this. Does this look like it would work(no, no manual either)?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0073H85J6

[red]

I have a 1994 kodiak 450 yamaha. It started this grinding noise lately on push button start.  Everyone tells me its the selenoid.  I cant seem to find an exact part for a 94 for it. Closest i found was this. Does this look like it would work(no, no manual either)?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0073H85J6

Vsekvsek,

I would use jumper cables to connect a good car battery to the battery side of the solenoid (+ cable) and chassis ground (- cable).  If the Kodiak starts normally then, you have bad battery cables, or dirty cable ends, or a weak battery.  You could also have a bad cable from the solenoid to the starter.  Connect a separate heavy jumper wire from the starter side of the solenoid to the starter (+) connection, in parallel to the existing heavy cable and try another start-up.  If this jumper makes a good start-up then, you have a bad cable from the solenoid to the starter, or dirty cable ends.

This post will tell you what other Yamaha models have solenoids that will fit your Kodiak.
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=9998.msg95798#msg95798

Also, just do a Google search for Yamaha and the "Part Number" of the solenoid (use quotation marks around the Part Number) and see who might have that part.  Phone them to verify their stock, because websites are not always up-to-date.

Cheers,
Red

[Pat Conlon]

A grinding noise (to me) indicates something mechanical, like the starter gear.
Before you start throwing parts at it, find out it is the part you need. Follow Red's advice.
Bypass the solenoid, if the problem is till there, you know it's not the solenoid.

Hope this will save you some bucks....

[FJscott]

Given the age of the Quad I would start with the simple stuff before laying down the credit card on expensive parts that might not fix your problem. First I would clean all the cable ends on Battery,starter,solenoid so they are all shiny clean. not knowing the battery age or condition use a known good battery EG... your car or truck. see if that solves it. once you are confident the cables and terminals are clean and it still makes the noise try to bypass the solenoid and jump the starter terminals directly. ...at this point remove the starter and look at the flippin gear. all the forementioned steps will not be for nothing as they should be in your annual maintenance routine anyway.
good luck

Scott

[RichBaker]

Does it crank and start when making the grinding noise, or does it JUST make a grinding noise??

[Vsekvsek]

thanks for replies
cranks and starts sometimes.
I forgot to mention the thing is almost in showroom cond with just over 1000 miles on it. An older guy bought it new and thought he would use it on his farm but his wife died and he lost interest in the farm and it basically sat for last 15 years.