kentucky_backwoods

Here is the update: Rebuild kit completed on the carb, everything looks good and nothing is sticking or worn. When I push start it turns over, and over, and over, but no fire. The spacer between the jug and carb "breathes" each time it turns over. It swells up, which makes me think there is too much air coming in. Problem is, I have tried the pilot screw in a number of different positions but that doesn't change anything. I checked both valves and valve clearance, the timing chain was off one link but I fixed that too. Occasionally if I sit and jiggle the throttle it will act like it wants to start, and on a rare occasion it actually will for a few minutes. I'm at a loss, and I really don't want to take it to a shop, so does anyone have any suggestions? Keep in mind I am pretty green, so keep the lingo to a minimum please!

I was able to find the problem, I had to test each wire individually and found a spot where the wire had gone bad. I'm assuming that it was being bypassed when the wench was on it. It took me a while but I figured it out. I have another problem now though....I can't get the s.o.b to start, even when using starter fluid. It just wont turn over. The carb is fine, it's getting gas and nothing is stopped up. The spark plug is fine, it's getting a spark. I am going to check the timing chain tomorrow and probably the valve. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks for the response. It is in neutral and battery has a good charge. When I turn the key, none of the lights even come on, it's almost like it doesn't know that I've even switched the key on (which wasn't a problem before). I've got the two connections to the positive terminal and, per the diagram I have, two to the negative terminal. The thin wire from the positive terminal might be where my problem is...It has two in-line fuses, and runs back to the ignition switch. It is spliced in one spot, which might be where it runs to the regulator/rectifier. I don't think it's the ignition switch itself, because it worked just fine before I took the winch off unless it just crapped out all of a sudden. How can I check the cutoff relay to see if it's getting anything?

Hello everyone, I recently got an 89 Big Bear on a trade. This is my first atv that I've ever owned and I'm awfully green when it comes to everything. When I got it there was a front wench installed but the support welds were busted, so I took it off. Prior to taking the wench off I was able to use the push button start, but since then I haven't been able to use it. I followed the wiring diagram in the service manual and made sure that it was all wired correctly; the only difference is the two in-line fuses that were added to the red line which runs from the ignition to the Starting Circuit Cut-Off Relay. When I turn the key it doesn't do ANYTHING...the only way I can get it to start is by taking a screwdriver and touching both sides of the starter relay to each other. When I do that, the indicator lights come on and it starts right up. My assumption is that something is not telling the starter relay that the ignition is on, but I'm not sure why. For the life of me I can't remember what it looked like when I took the wench off, lesson learned to make notes! Any suggestions would be great, because I have spent many hours trying to figure out what to do! Thanks!