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UTV Troubleshooting Guide

Jun. 25 2024 Maintenance By Team Winnebagoland Powersports Center

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Diagnosis is the first step in UTV maintenance and repair. Once you understand the source of the issue, resolving it will be ten times easier. If you’re interested in learning more about how to diagnose UTV maintenance issues, this guide from Team Winnebagoland Powersports Center can help.

Battery Issues

If something is wrong with your UTV’s electrical system, check to make sure that the wiring is intact. If there’s nothing wrong with the wiring, the problem most likely lies with the battery. Try charging the battery using the tender. If it refuses to charge even with a compatible tender, it’s most likely dead and needs to be replaced. If you’re sure the battery is charged but the system still isn’t working, the battery posts might be corroded. Remove the battery, grease the terminals, treat them using an anti-corrosive, and put the battery tightly back into place. If your UTV uses a refillable battery and the electrolyte levels start dropping faster than they should, you might have a cracked cell on your hands. Sadly, there’s no fix for this, and your battery will need to be replace.

Engine Trouble 

You may notice that your UTV’s engine isn’t putting out as much power as it reasonably should. Possible causes include an empty fuel tank, a clogged injector, a dirty or broken spark plug, a ruined ignition coil, or a wrecked crankshaft position sensor. Make sure that all of these components are functioning as they should. 

Your UTV’s cooling system removes excess heat from the engine. If your UTV seems overly prone to overheating, check the coolant. You might need to flush the coolant system or top off the coolant. If your UTV continues to overheat even with fresh coolant, check the radiator cap and fan. 

If your UTV’s engine seems slow to start, the problem might be low fuel flow. Inspect the fuel tank, filter, electric fuel pump, and injector. You might also have water in the fuel system or a weak battery. 

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