layin on the smackdown Posted December 30, 2010 Report Share Posted December 30, 2010 a few weeks ago, i posted on here about my 4 wheeler not wanting to turn over and when it did turn over, it wouldn't idle and i had black smoke from time to time bla bla bla and so on. The ideas that were offered, i think, were to try changing the spark plug, and try draining the gas and putting new fuel in. Well, the spark plug deal helped, but it still did'nt do anything regarding the ignition/key not working (all it does is click quickly for a little while and then you can hear a small rotating noise near the motor) , but i could get it started by pull starting it, and it would idle and ran alright - it still would take a few minutes trying to pull start it but it would eventually start...Now, it has quit entirely, so i resorted to draining the old fuel and putting new fuel in which hasn't seemed to help. If for some unknown reason i do get it to turn over, it runs for 3-4 seconds and dies...and then i spend the next 2 hours trying to get it started again. I havent gotten it to turn over since yesterday, and i really have no idea what it could be. Any ideas (other than i know the ignition is cooked)? Starter? Carberator? Anything? Thanks in advance!!! Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted December 30, 2010 Report Share Posted December 30, 2010 Did you ever have the battery checked? Engine should roll with the ignition switch. If the battery is good, you may have an ignition switch problem or wiring problem. Could also possibly be an issue with the starter. Also if the fuel was bad you may have carb issues, could be gummed up and may need cleaned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted December 30, 2010 Report Share Posted December 30, 2010 Fast clicking with the ignition without turning over is an electrical issue. Battery is the first place I would start. Pull it, make sure its full with the fun fluid and then get it tested. Start there and then check the loose nut behind the handlebars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 Dan, take just one issue at a time. First, the fuel. I learned a lesson a couple of months ago on mine when I had water in the tank for some reason. Draining the fuel and the bowl won't help get the water out. There's so much reserve fuel left under the pickup, even with the petcock in the reserve position that you'll never drain it all out. I bet I mopped up a quart of water and gas out of mine after draining. This may let you crank it, but as soon as you move and the water sloshes from the bottom, you're right back in the same situation. Do like I did, take and old crappy arrow shaft and tie a cotton rag to the end and mop the bottom of the tank out after draining until you get it all soaked up. As for the electrical, make sure you have a full charged battery, make sure your connections are good, and remember that you will not be able to crank the thing too well when you don't have a charged battery when pulling on the rope, you need the battery charged somewhat to fire the plugs. Stick with one thing at the time. The fuel first, then the electrical. Each one is a pretty straightforward and simple process, but overwhelming when you look at them all simultaneously. Good luck friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBow Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 My son has a similar problem on his Polaris Sprortsman with the ignition key. When he tries to start it (cold), the starter will initially turn over the engine for about 1 revolution, then the gear on the starter bendix does not mesh with the starter drive (the part than meshes with the flywheel). I changed the starter drive and it worked O.K. for a short while, then went back to the way it was. He also has to revert to pulling it by hand to start it. When the starter does not mesh with the starter drive, you just hear the starter motor running, but the motor will not turn over. If you have a similar problem, that will only account for the ignition part of your scenario and shouldn't have anything to do with your idling problem. You may have multiple faults. So like Redneck indicated, isolate one problem at a time, then move on to the next. TBow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 One thing at a time. Good advice. You can't start something if the engine won't turn over. Pull your car up next to the wheeler and hook up a set of jumper cables. Let it sit for a couple minutes and try the starter. Does it turn over now? If so you probably have a bad battery. If not check all the connections to the starter system.Most wheelers use a starter solenoid. Does it click? Check for power going to the solenoid with a 12 V. test light. Check for power on the terminal attaching the cable going to the starter. When the starter switch is engaged does the test lamp light? If not you could have a defective solenoid. Does the smaller wire on the solenoid have power to it when the starter switch is engaged. Some of this is easier accomplished with the aid of a helper. Also make sure you have a good ground on the test lamp. Check every ground connection on the bike. Grounds are often overlooked but just as important as the power wires. If you have power at all of the above places, check for power at the starter motor cable connection when the starter switch is engaged. If you have power at the starter and it doesn't work you should suspect a faulty starter. Most owners manuals for wheelers have wiring diagrams printed in them. This might help you find the connections etc. Lets get this thing turning over and we can work on the rest of the problems. Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 Good advise Lynn, gotta get it started to figure the rest of it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 3, 2011 Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 but it still did'nt do anything regarding the ignition/key not working (all it does is click quickly for a little while and then you can hear a small rotating noise near the motor) , I am not a pro mechanic, but in my experience often times with the clicking the issue has been a weak battery or poor connection. I would urge you to make sure your battery is the right battery and is good as a battery with insufficient amperage can wreak havoc on some pricey electrical parts on bikes and continuing on with trying to start the bike with a bad battery might do damage. Lynn gave some good advice. If your battery is good, I would check the actual voltage with a multimeter(if you have one or can borrow one) at the battery first and then at the battery when you press the start button, then check it also at the starter when you press the start button so you can compare. Expect the voltage to drop some with the draw going to the starter when the start button is pressed, but there should still be enough voltage at the starter when the switch is pressed and it should be very close if not the same as the voltage at the battery when the start button is pressed. If there is a significant difference between the battery voltage and the starter voltage the problem is somewhere in between, if it is the same then your starter or solenoid is probably bad. Maybe Shaun or Lynn will have some better advice on what is acceptable drop with the draw of a starter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted January 3, 2011 Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 I'd take it to a shop and see whats wrong..got my 700 sportsman at the shop for tune up (EFI) it started to backfire ..it's never been in since it was new...have 4200 miles on it now...also needs a new drive belt,,and a muffler donut right off the head at the exhaust pipe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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