2012 Kawasaki Mule 4000 Hood release latch cable replaced

[Gerald Clarendon Sr]

I have a 2012 Kawasaki 4000 Mule and the hood release cable is frozen and will not move. I want to replace the cable and have removed the fenders, hood, cargo box to access the cable. I finally had to remove the plastic dash far enough away so I could get a wrench on the nut holding the cable release knob in place. That's a lot of fun. I cannot remove the pin holding the cable to the release bar mechanism. Is that a force fit pin or what. There are no keepers holding it in place. Any suggestions on how to get the cable out? I can see why the previous owner never fixed it as you have to remove the whole front to get to the cable. I've tried penetrating fluids to make the cable work with no success. Your help is appreciated. Gerry C.

[Travis]

That cable  uses a simple snap pin that should pull right out with some pliers, some times where the pin goes through, they might have bent the bottom around to prevent it from coming loose. IF you can post a picture that would help some too.

[Gerald Clarendon Sr]

Travis, I'll give that a try in the morning and I'll take a picture too. I tried tapping on the pin with a punch and hammer and it didn't want to budge. I'll check to see if they've peened it over to keep it from coming out. Interesting that the parts diagrams don't list the pin separately, perhaps it comes with the replacement  cable.  I take it you've been inside one of these before. Kawasaki sure has a way of making it hard on anyone working on one of these.  The rear ignition-coil is another choice item to replace. You need to be a dwarf with a deformed arm. Thanks for your help, Gerry C

[Alex]

Topic moved to Kawasaki UTV forum and added UTV info into topic title.😁

[Travis]

https://www.kawasakipartshouse.com/oemparts/a/kaw/500b6c7df8700223e4797ed4/cables

The snap pin is 554, 50410 on the diagram.

you might look at manualslib.com for a online manual for your machine, that might have a solution in it.

 

[Gerald Clarendon Sr]

I have the complete manuals from Kawasaki for the Mule and have read all applicable topics and they really say nothing about how to remove the cable nor the pin. They just tell you how to adjust the cable length and that you need to remove basically the whole front end just to get to it. There's a welded box section up near the dash that the cable has to go through and there's a nut on the backside which holds the cable knob end in place. Good luck getting to that nut, I did and it's loose now but pulling the cable through depends on getting the pin out. It should look like a straight forward task but it is not as easy as it looks.  Trust me, I read everything I can get my hands on and I've been around heavy machinery all my life  so being a mechanic is second nature. I've just never gotten involved with motorcycles ot ATV/UTV's so I'm still learning.. Even the parts schematic drawings don't help nor does it even show the pin. It must come with the replacement cable.. I'm going back after it this morning but I will be greatful for any suggestions short of setting the thing on fire.  Gerry C.

[Gerald Clarendon Sr]

I just found your post giving the site for the manuals and the exploded parts diagram.The #554 snap pin that's shown in the diagram is connected to the differential shift cable. That's a regular hairpin type retainer that they use throughout the machine. The is no such number as a #50410 that I could find. There is, however, number 54010 for the hood cable which doesn't show what happens at the end of the cable where the pin should be. You may have just reversed the numbers. The manual just tells you how to open the hood. All good suggestions but have been there. If there was a Kawasaki dealer nearby I'd ask them but the closest is far from me but I make a trip anyway if I can't figure this out. Like I said before, please keep giving me ideas. If I've already tried them, I will try them again as I may have missed something.. When I finally finish this repair I'll write up a report as I'm sure there are others who have had or will have the same problem.  Gerry C

[Travis]

5 hours ago, Gerald Clarendon Sr said:

I just found your post giving the site for the manuals and the exploded parts diagram.The #554 snap pin that's shown in the diagram is connected to the differential shift cable. That's a regular hairpin type retainer that they use throughout the machine. The is no such number as a #50410 that I could find. There is, however, number 54010 for the hood cable which doesn't show what happens at the end of the cable where the pin should be. You may have just reversed the numbers. The manual just tells you how to open the hood. All good suggestions but have been there. If there was a Kawasaki dealer nearby I'd ask them but the closest is far from me but I make a trip anyway if I can't figure this out. Like I said before, please keep giving me ideas. If I've already tried them, I will try them again as I may have missed something.. When I finally finish this repair I'll write up a report as I'm sure there are others who have had or will have the same problem.  Gerry C

 My bad, i guess i looked at the wrong numbers.

 It is very odd that it doesn't show the clip in the diagram. I even looked at the diagram with the hood  and it didn't show the pin.

[Gerald Clarendon Sr]

It just dawned on me that the welded on clip on the release bar that holds the pin has a slot cut in it and perhaps if I stick a bar/screwdriver in the slot and pry on it to open some it may release the pin enough to allow the pin to slide out and when reinstalling a new cable just insert the pin and crimp the slot closed enough to hold the pin from falling out. I'm going to give that a try and also go ahead and order a new cable and see if a pin comes with it. It's got to be something simple. Kawasaki couldn't have made it impossible but then I don't think like Japanese engineer.  I do hold a mechanical engineering degree from a good college but maybe the engineering world has changed in the past 57 years and I'm just out of date. I would have provided a more straight forward assembly. I'll let you know how I make out.  Gerry C

[Gerald Clarendon Sr]

Might doesn't make right but it beats whatever's in 2nd place. I think my folks did spend their money on my education wisely. It taught me to think. My idea of spreading open the bracket that holds the pin was correct. Why the parts diagram doesn't show the connecting pin separately is because it is part of the cable and not a separate part. For those of you who had the same problem as I trying to replace the hood release cable, the bracket which is a welded part of the release latch mechanism is like a square "U" with a hole drilled through it to accept the pin. On one side of the bracket is a slot about a 1/4 inch wide from the outside edge to the hole. Take a large screw driver or or wedge and twist the slot until it opens up just enough to release the pin and the cable. Now you can pull the cable, knob and all out through the hole in the dash. This, assuming you've managed to release the nut holding the whole thing tight against the bracket that the cable goes through. That bracket also has a slot cut through it and as you pull the cable through you may be able to slide the cable out through the slot or maybe even bend it enough to get the cable out. It's a thick bracket so you may not be able to bend it. Haven't gotten that far as yet. Will work on that tomorrow. I'll let you know how that works out and the steps necessary to replace it. After that, if anyone is interested, I'll go through another nightmare and that is replacing the ignition -coil in the rear or #2 spot on the Mule. That's a bunch of fun too. Gerry C

[Travis]

Glad you got it figured out!

how come the coil needs replaced?

[Gerald Clarendon Sr]

If you own a 4000 or 4010 Mule, and perhaps others that are of the 2cylinder type, there is an ignition -coil for each cylinder. When one of them dies, and they must because there seem to be a lot of them sold through the internet and that coil is used on several makes of engines, then your DFI light will not go out after the engine is started which indicates that you have a problem. If it's the coil then you are running on one cylinder and the power you now have is enough to get you back home, the limp home mode.  The # 1 coil is the one in front and isn't bad to get to but the #2 coil is the one in the rear and next to impossible to get to. If you read the manual it tells you how many things you must take apart to get to it Trust me, You have a lot to disassemble, Tire, shock absorber, torque converter housing , clutch, starter motor, and then the coil. I figured out how to eliminate that but you need patience , a lot of swear words, a lot of luck, and a special 8 mm wrench..  Pray yours doesn't die and if so you may want to take it to a dealer and let them fix it.  Gerry C

[Travis]

I have my 550 torn apart now rebuilding the engine. Luckily it's a single cylinder. Ran good for 17 years and rings started to go. just did regular maintenance.

[Gerald Clarendon Sr]

Travis, some of the Kawasaki engines are really great and long lived. I have their 2 cylinder engine on a Ferris Zero turn mower, water cooled version. 26 HP don't remember the displacement but it's 13 years old now with 2105 hours on it. So far no problems and I should not say that because now it will explode. Anyway, changing oil and filter every 50 to 75 hours over its life I'm sure has contributed to its longevity. Putting in new spark plugs every year or 2 helps with the starting. I should check the valve adjustment too but will try to remember to get to that this winter.  GC