What to Do When Your UTV Won't Start
Berts Mega Mall | Powersports Hub
Everyone who owns a UTV has experienced that sinking feeling when you turn the key in the ignition and your vehicle will not start. You sit there just thinking, “What the Heck? Why Won't my UTV Start?" The last time you shut off your UTV everything was working great. While you and your family are ready to go on another adventure your UTV has decided it's not ready to go anywhere. When your UTV won't start here are a few common issues to look for before you decide to cancel your adventure outing.
Low Temperatures:
Sometimes your vehicle is completely fine and the only reason why it is not starting is due to the weather. It is not unusual for a vehicle to have trouble starting up when the temperature drops below 30 degrees. Winter weather is very hard on vehicles and puts an extra strain on the engines and batteries.
SOLUTION:
If you live in a place where it gets very cold, make sure that you are storing your unit indoors where the temperature is warmer to avoid your unit from not starting the next time you want to use it. Also, make sure you are giving your engine enough time to warm up after starting it in cold weather. And finally if possible attach a battery tender so that while it is not in use a slow trickle charger will keep life in the battery.
Battery Power:
If your UTV does not turn on when the ignition is engaged, the first thing you need to look at is the battery. The reason your unit is not turning on is that the battery may be dead or just too cold. When the unit is stored in a location with low temperature it can slow down the reactions that need to take place in order to transfer power causing the unit not to start. If this is the problem, the best thing to do is remove the battery from your UTV and store it inside when not in use.
SOLUTION:
Is the battery is the reason why your UTV won’t start, then you are in luck. Battery issues are some of the easiest to fix. To test the battery, use a multimeter to check for an output of 12V. If a lesser reading is present, it’s time to charge your battery. Same as with cold temperature issues you can purchase a battery tender that will fully charge the battery and maintain it at proper storage voltage. Just plug it in for a couple of hours and your UTV will be ready to go in no time.
Ignition:
Where there is fuel there must be a spark in order to get the motor running. If the battery is not the problem, then it is now time to check the ignition system.
SOLUTION:
When checking the ignition, make sure you check for any possible thing that can be wrong. Check out the spark plugs for any deterioration or gunk on the plug itself and make sure that there is a small gap present in the spark gap of the plug. If the plug looks below par, it is time to replace it.
Contaminated Gas:
Your UTV can have all sorts of problems when the fuel in it is contaminated with dirt or water. Almost all gasoline that you purchase from the gas station has a small level of water in it. When the gas station does a poor job caring for their gas, the problem goes onto your unit. If you are in a place with low temperatures the water in the gas will freeze causing problems in your gas tank. Most of the time when a UTV won’t start is because the condensation in the tank has frozen and is causing a blockage.
SOLUTION:
There are several products available that will help remove water from your gas tank. There are special funnels that will take the water out of the gas as you’re filling up the UTV. There are also fuel additives that help remove moisture from your gas tank.
Dirty Air Filter:
One of the things people always forget to check on their UTV is the air filter. Having a clogged air filter can cause your UTV not to start or have irregular acceleration. There are two types of air filters; those that are serviceable and those that aren’t.
SOLUTION:
If your filter is serviceable make sure that you clean it and oil it regularly to keep it in good shape. If your filter is not serviceable, you will need to replace it. A fully functioning air filter will keep your engine running at its peak at all times.
Drive Belt:
The drive belt is another important thing to look at because it transfers power from your engine, through your clutch, to your transmission. If you do not inspect it often, the drive belt can wear out and cause problems. Your UTV goes nowhere without a belt so inspection is always a good idea if you are driving hard and fast most of the time. Make sure you look for excessive signs of wear like glazing, cracks, breaks, missing cogs, flat spots or any signs of abrasion.
SOLUTION:
If you see that there are extreme signs of wear on the drive belt, it is time to get a new one. Once the drive belt is replaced, your UTV should be back to normal and start with no problems.
Conclusion:
When your UTV decides not to start all of a sudden it usually means something is wrong. By inspecting these common issues you should be able to reach the root of the problem and fix it before the problem gets worse. If you try all these fixes and your UTV still won’t start it might be a good idea to have your local dealer take a look. Our Bert’s Mega Mall service department has professional technicians that can handle any repairs you need and provide professional advice on how to care for your UTV.
Related:
- 5 Reasons to Buy a UTV
- Finding the Best High-Performance UTV
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