Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Hi all,

I am contemplating buying an older Kawasaki 4 wheeler. It's got an electric starter, a battery and a back up pull start. The seller says that the stator is gone in it, and is including a replacement with the sale. He claims the battery is dead, but has to have it in the machine in order for it to run (to complete the circuit). He says the lights and charging system don't work because the stator is fried.

The machine started great with the pull cord, and I putted up the road with it with out trouble. I told him that I'd buy it once I made sure I could register it.

My question is this: Seeing how the motor needs electricity to run, is the stator not broken? Could the battery power the coil long enough to fool a fool like me? I've lost alternators in cars before and have had 30-40 minutes of driving on the battery alone, but am unsure about something like a 4 wheeler. Would it be likely that the stator is fine, and the regulator needs to be replaced?

Thanks all

John

Well Johnny I own a 2006 Kawasaki KLR650 motorcycle.  Although it's only two years old, the design has been around since 1987 and fundamentally hasn't changed much.  The reason I'm telling you this is that the KLR has a separate electrical system to provide spark for the engine.  The stator is required to charge the battery and operate the starter as well as lights and accessories.   I would not be surprised if the engine in the Kawasaki ATV has a similar system. 

If he has a new replacement stator, all you have to do is to replace it.  Do an internet search for your machine to get some info on it and search for stator info that relates to that machine.  There's a world of knowledge out there to be had.  By the way, I presently own two  ATVs and have owned/operated them since 1984.  Give us more details on the machine you're looking at.  Good luck to you.   

Thanks once again Borat.

It's a 1990 KLF 220. The guy rebuilt the motor a few years back, and then let it sit. I am looking to buy it because there is a lot of trails around where I live. I like tinkering with things, and I have the best running snowblower in the neighbourhood due in large part to the advice I got here.

So it is possible to run the bike for a "little while" only on the battery? I am not looking to go anywhere on it, just wondering if it's a logical explanation. My line of thinking is that: a) stator is fine, regulator gone; or b) stator is fried and machine pulled spark out of the battery. Which one of these two situations is more likely?

I've googled it, and was overwhelmed by the info/bs out there. I thought I'd come here first and check with people who know.

Thanks again,

John

I can't say for sure what the problem is.  You'd have to do some electrical testing to isolate the failure.  As far as running it on the battery, try starting the machine with the battery connected then take the positive wire off of the battery to see if the machine keeps running.  If it does, you should be able to ride without taxing the battery provided you do not use any lights or accessories.