ATV Trouble / help

[roylt]

So about two months ago I got a 199? Yamaha Timberwolf 2x4 250cc. My kids were with me when I looked it over and it was one of those friend of a friend deals that you should normally stay away from but had a moment of weakness and dreamed for riding with my kids and having tons of fun pulling sleds in the snow etc.

So Sat my son had a buddy over so I figured pull it out and give them a ride around the yard etc. Fun to be had by all.

Tried to start it (had a batt tender on before so the batt should have juice) cranked, cranked again, and again, seemed weak, tried again, seemed like the starter jammed and locked up or something then all electrical seemed to go dead. No neutral light or anything??

Pushed it back in the shed for now.

So anyone have any pointers? Think starter relay? Battery? some other part I don't know about? I did check the one and only fuse on the thing and it looked ok.

Well we did get to ride it three times in two months but Santa was bringing a rope and sled tomorrow that now won't be used for the atv.

Thanks in advance and Merry Christmas.

 

[miniman]

sounds like the battery is no good. those small batts do not seem to last all that long.

 

[roylt]

Thanks, Been trying to figure out a AGM swap to get away from the wet vent batt. The big bummer was / is I wanted to ride this weekend with the kids off school etc.

Frustrated... Stressed with Christmas etc too. This is the first year I get the kids for Christmas so I have to cook a nice meal and all as well.

Time for me to sign off for now, Santa needs to come and put a few things out and fill stockings.

Thanks again, Open to other opinions too.

 

[Gator89]

I have jump started my Honda 300 off my pickup. Just be sure your wheeler has a 12 volt battery.

 

[Mobuck]

My old "Cow-sucky" had starting problems among other things. I ran it for a couple of years with a car battery on the front rack and longer battery cables. Started like a champ with 650 CCA on the job. You might try a set of jumper cables and see if that helps. Do this outside so the fire won't damage your house.

 

[pisgah]

Could be the battery is utterly shot. But also check the integrity of the ground. A bad ground can make things dead-dead, even if the battery is OK.

 

[Daveboone]

I keep one of the battery booster packs charged up for stuff like that. Try jumping it, I go along with checking the ground, make sure the terminals are good and clean. Be sure to run it with non ethanol gas too..., especially if it isn't run very often

 

[Mega Twin]

If you have a volt meter,set it to DC volts,and hook the ground side(black)to the battery ground,and the red to the starter terminal.When you push the starter button,you need to see a minimum of 11 volts DC there.
This is assuming you have a fully charged battery,and all the connections are clean and tight.
If you don't have any,or low voltage there,go to the starter relay and check the voltage going in,then the voltage going out to the starter side.
Just remember to check the basics first,good battery,and clean and tight connections.
Does it not have a pull starter,also?

 

[gunzo]

Loose/dirty cable connection, blown fuse, or a totally crapped out battery is about it.

Clean/tighten cable connections at battery.

The Timberwolf was equipped with an auxiliary rope/recoil, manual starter. You don't need relays, starter motors, for that, just a little bit of battery juice & elbow grease. Leave the Tender connected when rope starting. Good luck.

 

[mjpchief]

Make sure you have fresh gas in tank and drain carb bowl of old gas.

 

[SR1911SHOOTER]

Roylt,
Take the battery out, go to an auto parts store and have them check it out.
Any good store has a machine to do that. Most batteries have a habit of dying during a
cold spell. Lost my battery on a trip earlier this month.
Blackie

 

[roylt]

OK. So it sounds like most of you say battery. Ordered one and waiting for now. About 7 degrees today so no rush.

It also does not have pull start. Stinks for sure.

Thanks to all and Merry Christmas!

 

[powder smoke]

OK. So it sounds like most of you say battery. Ordered one and waiting for now. About 7 degrees today so no rush.

It also does not have pull start. Stinks for sure.

Thanks to all and Merry Christmas!

Cool! I'd put in a fresh spark plug and gas! It's cheap and will equal quick start up
nice especially when you are pulling it over by hand! ps

 

[blume357]

I'll go with the others... Battery... was not giving full amps and you killed it dead.

Is this 12volt or 6volt?

For something like this ATV you don't use at least once a week you need to figure out how to keep it running.... back up batter or booster... and as others have suggested .....(I think) fuel stabilizer and possibly drain the carb when not in use. Might even want to consider only using ethanol free gas.

 

[contender]

I have a similar ATV.
I agree that a new battery is in order from what you posted. And, fresh gas, a new plug are cheap additions to good performance. And as noted, ethanol free gas will make running it better.

If it cranks (sorta) ,,, and/or fails to stay running,, there is another culprit at work that drove me nuts on mine. Once you get the new battery & all,,, and if you still have issues,, PM me & we can discuss it.

But you mentioned it not having a pull starter. It actually does,, but it requires removing the cover over it, on the side of the engine. Go on-line & research it. A PIA design,, but many folks can't easily pull start one anyway.

 

[roylt]

Finally warm enough in the shed to tinker today and I would have though for sure the old ATV was dead for some other reason but the new battery and some cleaning of a few connections made it fire right up.

The 20+ year old carb isn't perfect but good enough.

Thanks again for all comments and help.

Should be warm enough this week to enjoy with the kids too!! Santa brought me some rope to pull a sled!!

 

[huntsman22]

run some Seafoam thru 'er.....

 

[exavid]

I agree, I don't usually believe in 'miracle in a can' but Sea Foam does clean things up. I used a goodly bit of the stuff when I had my old shop refurbishing neglected Honda Goldwings.

 

[roylt]

It is pretty old so I think something could be warn but will try a cleaner for sure. Can't hurt right.

From idle to throttle it has a little dead spot. Who knows what has been done to the carb before I got it.

Thanks,

 

[Bull Barrel]

Check the air filter. Critters may have filled it with stuff.
I put a clutch in a BMW R100 RT and to do so requires removal of the airbox. It was so full of acorn shells I dont know how it ran.