2000 Honda 400ex won’t start in gear?

[Trent Finnessey]

So I have a 2000 Honda 400ex, and it won’t start when it’s in gear obviously when I pull the clutch in..... it’s very annoying!! And idk if this is like a safety feature or something.....🤷‍♂️ If anyone know why this is lmk plz, thanks 

[Ajmboy]

Sounds like a neutral safety switch issue. Does it start in neutral?

[davefrombc]

Unless the 400ex is  different from other Hondas,  it  shouldn't start in  gear.  All  the ones I  know  all have a neutral safety switch to  prevent  in gear  starting.

[Laval]

I have yet to see a Honda that will start in gear. You have to find neutral. My experience is limited to older quads and trikes however so I stand to be corrected. 

[Trent Finnessey]

5 hours ago, Laval said:

I have yet to see a Honda that will start in gear. You have to find neutral. My experience is limited to older quads and trikes however so I stand to be corrected. 

My 1998, 300ex has always started in gear... it was like that when I bought it so I figured my 400ex should be able to start in gear as well. 

On 6/27/2020 at 4:32 PM, Ajmboy said:

Sounds like a neutral safety switch issue. Does it start in neutral?

Sometimes the light doesn’t come on when it’s in neutral (when it’s actually in neutral) so I have to put in it gear and then find neutral again.... but other than that it always starts up.

[Laval]

4 minutes ago, Trent Finnessey said:

should

I only have experience with utility quads - none with sport bikes but I have rode a few motorcycles and they needed neutral to start as well. 

[davefrombc]

If the 300EX  starts in gear someone has bypassed the neutral safety switch.  Starting in gear  can be a serious  safety hazard.

 

[MarkinAR]

If you want it to start in gear, you just have to ground out the neutral safety switch.  Pretty common practice on mud rigs so that you don't have to find neutral in a mudhole.  Not near as common on a sport quad.

[Rich1028]

my 1991 starts in gear except reverse. . as well as our 2008 400 Ex, as well as our 2014 400 X.just squeeze  the clutch lever in,and they start right up!

[MarkinAR]

4 hours ago, Rich1028 said:

my 1991 starts in gear except reverse. . as well as our 2008 400 Ex, as well as our 2014 400 X.just squeeze  the clutch lever in,and they start right up!

Good point, I was thinking about clutch less as that's all I've worked on lately. C

[davefrombc]

I  also  have only dealt with manual  clutch  less quads.  If  the  ones that  have a clutch lever   do  start when  you squeeze the clutch  then  yours  likely  has a faulty safety switch activated by you  clutch lever.