Quad Wont Start

[szprod]

So I bought the new quad almost 3 weeks ago I loaded it up on my truck and brought it home and put it in the garage which is unheated. Part of the reason I did not bother to start it until now was because it had barley any gas so I went today and got it some gas and filled it up full. I checked the oil level and it looked fine and then I tried to start it. Following the Polaris manual they say to turn over the engine for maximum 5 seconds and then if it does not start to turn the key back to off position and wait 5 seconds and try again. I went and followed this and after 3 times of trying to start the engine the quad just made a clicking noise and wouldn't even turn over or nothing. I waited 7min and tried again and it tried to turn over but just couldn't do it so I turned the key to the off position and tried again and then it went back to just clicking. I figured ok WTF is going on and I figure battery must be dead. I did some quick searches on the Polaris forums and sure enough the 2010 and 2011 batteries have a problem keeping a charge in the cold. I charge up the battery for a 30min and try again and now it goes back to trying to turn over but still won't quite get there and after a few times trying I kill the battery again and all it does is click. I now have it sitting on the charger and will leave it on there to do a full charge. I figured having EFI quad would start easier then carb that you have to prime. Anyone who has EFI and starts it in winter know why it's so damn hard to get it started? I followed Polaris recommendation that if the quad is having a hard time turning over due to the cold to prime it by turning the key until the pump comes on for 5 seconds and then repeat 3 times and then try to fire it up and still it just wont go!

 

[2 RIDGEBACKS]

charge the battery for at least 10 hrs then try it again it will start,it wont when the battery is down because there isnt enough power to turn starter and power the ecu injector fuel pump etc

 

[the_real_wild1]

In a case like that I would grab your booster cables and hook it up to the quad and try to start it. This will let it have all the juice it needs. You should eb able to let it crank longer then 5 seconds. Done go overboard but 10 seconds should not be an issue.

 

[szprod]

Thanks for the quick responses guys! A lady I know who goes sledding said they leave there batteries on the charger after each ride and even when looking in the Polaris manual they said the single most important thing for sealed batteries to maintain 100% charge. They recommend getting a charger that will charge the battery up to 100% then kick in with a trickle charge when it drops down to bring it back up to 100%.. The charger I have already does that. You think I should just leave it on the charger when not using the quad?

 

[zeebs]

I never use to have an issue with my quad doing that until this winter but last summer I added a winch and early this winter got in a situation where I had to use it pretty hard and ever since it seem to click for a split second when I go to start it then it does fire up. Except one time it didnt I put it on the charger for 8 hrs and it started right up. Like I say still the clicking sound but if it doesn't get any better when it warms up I'll be getting an odyssey battery and that will cure the problem.

Check out those batteries in the "batteries" thread here in the mud pit section.

 

[Open Season]

I think that Polaris should be replacing batteries then. My 06 polaris has never had a boost or a charger on it and if the charging system on the bike is working it shouldn't need to have an external charge. Mine sat outside from Sept until today and it fired up no problem.

 

[szprod]

I think that Polaris should be replacing batteries then. My 06 polaris has never had a boost or a charger on it and if the charging system on the bike is working it shouldn't need to have an external charge. Mine sat outside from Sept until today and it fired up no problem.

I plan on calling Polaris to find out about it and why it wouldnt keep a charge. I read in the Polaris forum from some of the guys having the same issue that they are on thier 3rd battery

 

[the_real_wild1]

A battery tender will go a long ways. Once you get it running you should check for draws in the system. Might have something going on that is draining it while shut off.

 

[Kelzon]

I have 2008 polaris sportsman 800 EFI. I leave a tender charger ( not trickle charger )on the battery all winter,it will start any time. Bought it at the dealer $45.00 Hope this helps you out.

 

[zeebs]

A battery tender will go a long ways. Once you get it running you should check for draws in the system. Might have something going on that is draining it while shut off.

its worse when the temp goes down. I can leave it sit overnight in an unheated shed and if it's 0-F it will start harder than 10 to 15 F

 

[szprod]

Well this is the charger I bought will it work to leave it on the battery all the time? It says: •Automatically switches from full charge to maintenance mode to maintain batteries during prolonged periods of storage without overcharging or damaging the battery

 

[TGS]

maybe the old fuel had water in it? is it firing when you turn it over? maybe its not getting fuel because the fuel line is iced up from being out in the cold. just a thought.

 

[doorfx]

maybe the old fuel had water in it? is it firing when you turn it over? maybe its not getting fuel because the fuel line is iced up from being out in the cold. just a thought.

x2 on the frozen fuel line . Put some gasline antifreeZe in it . When it starts run a couple of tanks of seafoam through it. If you have a digital pod with a clock you are always drawing a tiny bit of power, in the milliamps range, so like stated above check for a draw.

 

[STYKO]

szprod, hope you figure it out. Seems silly to have to fart around with that on a new bike...that sucks man.... I have never charged my battery yet, perhaps I should.....mines not EFI....

I also put some gass line antifreeze and fuel stabalizer for the winter months......

STYKO

 

[szprod]

Thanks guys! would this work? or is there a specific brand I should use how much antifreeze do you put in? How long does it take to work? If I already have gas in the tank and put it in will it work right away to unfreez the line if its frozen?

 

[doorfx]

Thanks guys! would this work? or is there a specific brand I should use how much antifreeze do you put in? How long does it take to work? If I already have gas in the tank and put it in will it work right away to unfreez the line if its frozen?

Yes it will work. on the bottle it should tell you how much per gallon of gas. It will take a while to work especially if it is frozen bad.Let it sit for an hour after you put it in then try turnig it over, if no start give it another hour. Do you have an electric fuel pump, if so you should here it when you turn the key on.

 

[szprod]

Yes its electric and you can hear it pumping when you turn the key. I have a question about that sea foam. I see people saying it works like magic and seems like a good product but the quads engine has not even been through brake-in yet so is it safe to put that in or is it better to wait until after the engine is broke in. Also is it fine to break the engine in during the winter at -20 or is it better to wait until it warms up? I just don't want to screw the engine and as you can may have figured out I know nothing about mechanics lol.

I plan on taking it to get fitted with the winch, bumpers etc next Saturday and then wanted to go out Sunday and do the break-in. Please let me know if it is wise to do it in the snow and cold

 

[Murminator]

Is the fuel valve on? if the fuel level low switch to reserve try that

 

[szprod]

So I just tried to start it with a battery that was fully charged and after 5x trying it almost started once but just couldnt do it so I added the gas line antifrezze and I'm waiting the hour to see if it helps. I also hooked the battery back on the charger and checked the % charged and it went from full down to 60% so maybe the battery is screwed. I have it charging again and will try it again after the hour.

 

[doorfx]

So I just tried to start it with a battery that was fully charged and after 5x trying it almost started once but just couldnt do it so I added the gas line antifrezze and I'm waiting the hour to see if it helps. I also hooked the battery back on the charger and checked the % charged and it went from full down to 60% so maybe the battery is screwed. I have it charging again and will try it again after the hour.

Did you check to see if fuel is turned on (above post) Also does your fuel pump come on and then stop after a few seconds before you try to start it??
Sorry, not very familiar with polaris