1998 Arctic Cat300 4x4 electrial problem

[mmsutton]

I just got an old Arctic Cat 300 4x4 that will not start. I replaced the battery and the lights work and the green neutral light is on but nothing happens when I hit the start button. I can short across the solenoid and get the motor to crank but not fire. I have checked the fuses and they all look good. I don't have a service manual and I don't know what to check next. Any help would be appreciated.

[DirtDemon]

Check the start button, key and kill switches and all attatched wires. You need to trace power from the battery, through the ignition system and find out where you are losing power. It could be one of the switches, or a short in the wiring. A multimeter or test light will be useful in finding this problem.

[mmsutton]

Thanks DirtDemon. I'm working my way through that process and haven't found the problem yet. I'll keep working on it.

[mmsutton]

Does anyone have an online source for a wiring diagram for this thing. I'm not having any luck without it.

Thanks

[DirtDemon]

I would strongly recommend forking out the cash and buying a repair manual, you don't need to spend all the money on a factory manual, a Clymer or other third party manual will do you just fine. It is well worth the $$$ IMO. Good luck.

[mmsutton]

Thanks DirtDemon...that's what I'm going to do. I haven't had any luck tracing the wires or finding a lose one anywhere.

Mike

[DirtDemon]

Have you tried a multimeter set to test continuity?, you can check both ends of a wire, switch or circuit for continuity. I would start by testing the start button, test it with the button depressed ofcourse.

[mmsutton]

DirtDemon...do you have an online source for the service/repair manual? I have exhausted my web search capabilities and have not been able to find one. I've come close but not exactly there. Thanks, Mike

[DirtDemon]

Have you tried ebay?

[mmsutton]

It's running like a new one now. The problem was the kill switch and the start button. Both were rusty. Finally got them cleaned, sanded and polished enough to make them work again. I had water in the carb and the butterfly valve was also rusty. Cleaned and rebuilt the carb and replaced the plug and it fired right off.

Tomorrow I'll change the oil and filter and off I go. Woohoo!!!

[DirtDemon]

Good stuff, hope it works well for you.

[swampcat07]

Glad to hear it is up and running.

[mmsutton]

Got the oil and filter today. Found the drain plug and fill plug in the parts diagram. Now can someone tell me where the oil filter is located?

[mmsutton]

Found the oil filter and got everything changed and it's running great. Rode around some today getting used to the feel of it. Now it's time ot tackle that rear brake and see if I can get it working.

[swampcat07]

OK where are the pics. I am not even sure if I have seen a 98 cat before.