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I have a 2001 Yamaha Kodiak 400 (YFM400FWAN©) On a recent hunting trip a problem popped up and I hope someone else has experienced this, so that I can learn from them instead of going on my own hunt for an answer. The Problem: On cold days (sub 25 degree) I choke the Kodiak and it starts instantly. It revs up and runs on "high idle" without any problem. However when I return the choke lever to its "normal" position the ATV continues to run and a very high idle. I cant put it into gear until the idle comes down, which it doesn't. In order to use the bike I have to shut it off and when I restart it I must place it into gear before the engine gets a chance to rev up. It then returns to a normal idle and the machine behaves normally. This only happens on real cold days but it is a problem I want to fix. Can anyone offer some help?

I hope someone can help with this problem. When trying to start the ATV after it has been sitting for as little as overnight, it has a VERY difficult time starting. The starter motor is fine, tested within specs. Once the motor has started, you can let it run for a minute or so, shut it off, and it fires right back up. If I run it for about 500 yds and turn it off for an hour, it will start right back up. It just seems that overnight or longer creates this starting issue. Air temperature doesn't affect this. I've replaced the carburetor, a new battery, & a new spark plug. All wires related to starting were tested and were within specs. I thought maybe it was an issue with some electronics that get heated by the motor and function properly, so I put a hair dryer to different components to heat them up to see if that fixed, no joy. I've been told that these are usually hard to start, but this is almost impossible and I"m afraid I'm wearing out the starter motor. I don't understand why once it starts I can turn it off immediately and it'll fire back up. Has anyone had a similar experience or can recommend next steps, either testing or part replacement? Thanks.

I purchased my kodiak earlier this winter. It was a being stored in a heated shop however when I went to pick it up, it was sitting outside in -20 and the throttle was froze shut. The bike seemed very clean with no mud on it so perhaps the PO washed it before storing it and some moisture got in the cable. My shop is unheated but in an effort to get it going, I made a little tarp tent and stuck a construction heater under it. Throttle cable came free and the bike started up an ran fine. 2 months later the bike is just sitting in my shop not being used. The throttle still freezes shut when the shop is cold but today, it was warm enough that it was free. But I wonder if there is an issue with the choke cable sticking? The bike seems to flood and won't start. I built my tarp tent again and warmed up the quad with the heater. Not sweltering hot but warm. I could get the bike to fire a couple times but then it seemed to flood again and wouldn't start. So is there something causing the choke not to work related to the cold? The lever seems to flip up no problem but not sure if it is doing something on the carb end causing it to flood and not start. The plug is new, spark good, and a nice mist of gas comes out of to piston when it's flooded. I don't want to tear into things if I just have to wait for warmer weather but would still like to get some early spring riding in. Any help?

Dont kno if i would exactly call it a missfire but sometimes when i fist get on my quad( after letting it warm up with choke for five mins ) and rip away usually right after shifting it will miss 1 spark blow that air/fuel into exhaust and backfire then run normal sometimes itll do this 2-3 times aways in the beginning of a ride usually if i warm it up a little less then usual, just curious what would cause this. It did it since i got the quad 6 months ago and theres a different head cyl. And piston in it now...also what would cause oil to stop flowing into a head??? Or did i screw something up??? On the new head i noticed oil poors out behind cam sprocket on the old one it didnt

2006 yamaha wolverine 450 carb cold idle issues it stays running when I have the choke up but when I put it back down to idle it wants to stall out. This machine only has 218 miles had has pretty much been sitting for that long lol. Runs great in the warm but is really rough in the cold. I am going to try to change the gas, new air filter, and spark plugs. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Just joined the forum and was hoping to get some advise on a problem Im having with a new quad I picked up for my son. Its a 2003 LT160 Quadrunner. When I bought it the guy said it ran fine and was riding it when I got there. It ran great, good power, idled fine, etc. and restarted easily. when I got it home (90min ride) it would not start and killed the battery (which I knew was weak already) The next day I charged the battery up and still could not get it to start. I tried choke on and off and throttle one and off with no real difference . The very 1st crank it sounded like it wanted to fire, but after that it just turned (does not sound like it is firing). I removed the air cleaner and gave it a shot of starting fluid and it started right up and kept running great! Let it sit a week, got a fresh battery in it, topped off the fuel and got basically the same thing. 1st initial crank it tried to fire and nothing after that. Any ideas what might be going on that would cause it to not start unless I use Starting Fluid? So far I have not taken apart anything to troubleshoot. Thanks!

First a potentially important note - my electric start has not worked since I got the quad. I have not yet tried to track down what is wrong, because I bought this when it was warm outside and it always started up on the first or second pull. I never even have to choke or prime it, it just starts. Now that it's getting colder outside, I'm having a much harder time getting it to start. If I pull until I'm sweating, I can usually get it going. If I have one of my kids hold the throttle down a little it seems to help, but I can't do that and pull at the same time. I have tried combinations of choke and priming it, but they don't seem to make any difference. This leads me to a few questions: 1. Is there a recommended cold-start procedure? Choke and prime? 2. I notice that when I prime, some gas sprays out onto the engine. If I prime once I don't notice it, but if I prime 2 or 3 times I see it spray out. Maybe there is too much fuel in the carb? 3. It pulls pretty hard. Is there any kind of decompression switch that I am not seeing? The pull rope is probably original, but I have snapped it off twice at the handle in the last few months because it pulls so hard. Once it is warmed up, then it starts on the first pull every time with no problems at all. If I had a heated garage I'd just stick it in, but not going to heat an area just to keep this thing happy Thanks in advance!

Two thumbs up! Very excited this morning. Temp was 26 degrees this morning so I decided to try a cold start on the Big Bear before heading to work. She fired right up! Awsome!

How to Winterize an ATV (I can't take credit for this, as I pulled this info off of ehow, but it is very good tutorial..) "Outdoor enthusiasts who live in Northern regions often store ATVs during the wintertime. Ice can damage the engine. Road salt is corrosive and can erode the undercarriage. Winter storage is a good way to extend the life of your ATV. You can learn how to winterize an ATV quickly and simply yourself, and never pay expensive shop charges to winterize again." Instructions & Things You'll Need: Gas stabilizer Oil Oil filter 1. Wash your ATV. Scrub every inch. Use an old toothbrush to reach tight areas. Mud and oil can eat away at surfaces over time. Good ATV maintenance involves thoroughly cleaning your ATV before storing it for the winter. As an added protection, hand wax your ATV once it's dry. 2. Change the oil and filters. This keeps excess dirt from settling in your engine. 3. Put gas stabilizer into the fuel tank and top the tank off with fresh gas. For best results, use premium gasoline. Run the ATV for a few minutes to allow the stabilizer to work through the carburetor. Shut off the motor and turn off the gas valve. Oil the chain. 4. Disconnect and pull out the battery. Charge it if necessary, and clean the terminals. Store the battery in a location where it cannot freeze. A heated breezeway is preferable to a cold garage. It's important to keep the battery stored out of the reach of children. Battery acid is dangerously corrosive. Store your ATV's battery on a high shelf or locked in a cabinet. Do not store it directly on concrete. Concrete causes power drain in batteries. 5. Push the ATV into a shed or garage. Do not store ATV's outside in winter climates. Place the ATV up on blocks and fill the tires to the correct psi to keep them from weather cracking. Expensive jack stands aren't necessary; cinder blocks or heavy plastic milk crates work just fine. 6. Cap the exhaust. To a mouse, it looks like a fine winter hidey hole. 7. Tarp the ATV to keep excess dust and vermin away. If desired, leave an open can of auto wax on the floor under the tarp. The smell repels mice, chipmunks and other small pests. Read more: How to Winterize an ATV | eHow.com

Hello I have a 500 Honda and it is way cold blodded unless you choke it the only problem with the choking it is the choke always sucks back in and wont stay out unless you hold it out and then the machine dies because it has not fully warmed up any suggestions?

hello new to the site. I have an 05 500 and it will not idle in the cold or warm i have to pump the gas on the carb then it will start then i have pump it a few times or hold it on a fast idle or it will quit if i want to let it sit and warm up i have to keep it at a fast idle then have to slow it down so it will go into gear. have not taken the carb off yet??? wondering where to look first thanks