View Full Version : 2003 Rhino --starting problems--
Lakota Sport Rider
11/17/06, 2:39 PM
My father'n'law bought a used Rhino recently for $3000 from a friend and we took it with us camping and it was starting up fine in the begining of camping, but after awhile you turn the key and it just clicks not even trying to start just a "click,click,click" etc. Here's how we had to start this Rhino, by jump starting the Rhino battery and with my truck battery with the choke pulled on the Rhino same time was the only way we could start it the rest of our trip. Any ideas what it could be? Thanks in advance....Oh ya we are all hooked now on this RUV thing but cant find used RUV's for $3000, my father'n'law gotta smoking deal through his bar buddy. What a blast those thing are. Jeff
RathrBdunin
11/17/06, 3:34 PM
Sounds like you need to get out & buy a new battery, that one is shot.
"SMOKING" is not the word for that deal ! :)
yea a new batt is in order.also its got to be a 2004 that was the first year they came out.
Lakota Sport Rider
11/17/06, 5:01 PM
From what he say's battery was changed before the trip as that what he thought, change battery, ok now what? Smoking is what I call it as I haven't seen anything that cheap except quads/dirt bikes, so what first year or not who cares. When it starts it runs great excellent at climbing not fast but it makes it, engine braking is great, nice machine.
Lakota Sport Rider
11/17/06, 5:07 PM
quote:Originally posted by RathrBdunin
Sounds like you need to get out & buy a new battery, that one is shot.
"SMOKING" is not the word for that deal ! :)
It's not mine, sorry but not all are from Scottsdale. You say because the battery is dead it's a horrible buy, or are these Rhinos just dont hold value? OTD I have seen $10,200 that's not cheap. Well then again what is the word to use bud?
quote:Originally posted by Lakota Sport Rider
quote:Originally posted by RathrBdunin
Sounds like you need to get out & buy a new battery, that one is shot.
"SMOKING" is not the word for that deal ! :)
It's not mine, sorry but not all are from Scottsdale. You say because the battery is dead it's a horrible buy, or are these Rhinos just dont hold value? OTD I have seen $10,200 that's not cheap. Well then again what is the word to use bud?
Dude,
You take EVERYTHING WRONG don't ya???
I think he was saying that 3K for a Rhino IS BETTER than a smoking deal..........
I don't think he meant that it was a piece of crap.
RELAX Bud!!!
Have your Father-in-law buy a new damn battery and HAVE FUN!!!
Stop "reading" into what people write.........Plus, he had a Smiley..........:)
I think he meant you got a 'better than "smoking" deal' on it.
You have one of four problems:
1. Faulty battery won't hold a charge. Any auto parts store should be able to test your battery for free - yes I did read that it was recently changed. I'd get it tested anyway. Check the electrolyte level as well.
2. Alternator (stator) isn't charging the battery.
3. There is a short in the wiring causing the battery to lose charge when it is shut down (lights... hourmeter...etc).
4. Bad ground connection at battery cable or starter ground.
jeez man i didnt mean that a 04 was bad just that you listed it as a 03.and smoking is right especially if it runs.if the batt is in good cont the 04 had a problem with the pick up for the stator you can buy it at the dealer as one pice or seperatly on ebay its cheaper.i had a 04 and thats what ive learned.
Milkman22
11/17/06, 7:02 PM
I would chime in but i want to keep my rear end......:D:D:D LOL
Lakota Sport Rider
11/30/06, 7:04 PM
It was the aftermarket lights that previous owner had on the top of roll bars they drew to much from the battery, my father-n-law disconnected them and well she starts no problems at all but he really wants to run these lights though what would he need to get to not draw so much from the battery, thanks for the help.
either lower draw lights or higher output stator. Here's one: http://www.blackrhinoperformance.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=ELE200550
Arizona Griz
11/30/06, 7:25 PM
Another thing you can do is add an additional battery just for the aftermarket lights. Wire the two batteries in parallel. Install a 30A 12V coil contactor between the batteries on the positive hot wire. Feed the coil with a hot wire from the vehicle battery thru a switch on the dash. During the day time you charge both batteries by keeping the dash switch on closing the contactor. At night turn off the switch so the stator is not trying to charge both batteries. ;) It works, my daughter's Rhino has this hookup. :D
Just Ride It
12/01/06, 8:33 AM
With the great deal on the Rhino (That's SSSmmmokin) -- He should have some money left over to by some HID lights.
The HID lights draw less power and are much brighter. The drawback on HID's is the cost, I added a set of trailtechs on my Prowler for about $320. They work great on the stock battery and draw only 35watts each.
I do like the setup that Griz mention and may look into that when I add the stereo.
Lakota Sport Rider
12/06/06, 3:42 PM
quote:Originally posted by Arizona Griz
Another thing you can do is add an additional battery just for the aftermarket lights. Wire the two batteries in parallel. Install a 30A 12V coil contactor between the batteries on the positive hot wire. Feed the coil with a hot wire from the vehicle battery thru a switch on the dash. During the day time you charge both batteries by keeping the dash switch on closing the contactor. At night turn off the switch so the stator is not trying to charge both batteries. ;) It works, my daughter's Rhino has this hookup. :D
Sounds like a nice set-up Griz. :) I gonna run it by my father-n-law. I'll report back on outcome with results