I've got a Rubicon TRX500?. It stopped charging the battery a few months ago, and I haven't had time to look at it. I've checked all fuses and wires, but found nothing wrong there. I'm going to go investigate further right now. Is it common for the alternator or whatever Honda would call it to go out? Are there any areas of interest I should look for?

I couldn't even tell you where the alternator is, but I'm bound and determined to get it rolling today or tomorrow.

Shouldn't it be under warranty?


Can you get it started, not familiar with the 06 rubicons but does yours have a pull starter?

It's an 04. They come with a 6 month warranty if I'm not mistaken. It'll start, but drains the battery, and will die if I disconnect the battery. It has a pull starter.

Sounds like an alternator, but it has so many electrical systems that I thought it may be a relay I'm not seeing or something. I started looking at it yesterday, but didn't get very far, got busy and couldn't move along. I'm about to go at it again. I'm going to pull off a little plastic so I can see the wiring better and try and simplify the system in my mind. I should be able to find the problem fairly easily if I can sit down and concentrate on it, I'll keep ya posted.

will die if I disconnect the battery

Sounds like an alternator. A working alternator would provide enough juice to keep the battery running.

Any motor vehicle will die if you disconnect the battery. It's opens the circuit. No different than turning the key off.

That statement is incorrect.

yea I always thought the battery was just to start the vehicle and the gas engine generated the electricity needed to run the electronic part of the vehicle.

I have no experience with 4 wheelers. You're probably correct if the battery is only there for the starter, and it has a mag (or similar) style ignition.

I'll but out now.