when i turn the ignition key all i get is a clicking sound. the starter does not turn the motor. is that a bad starter or possibly something else?

 

Turn on the headlights and then try to start the quad. Do the headlights stay bright or do they get really dim when you push the start button?

If the lights go dim then use jumper cables to jump your quad battery to your car. Now does the starter turn?

Next try turnng on the ignition and use a screwdriver to short across the large studs on the starter solenoid. A bit of sparking when you do this is normal. Does the starter turn then? The starter solenoid is the thing that is going "click" when you push the start button. If the starter turns when shorting across the solenoid then your solenoid is bad.

You can also use the jumper cables to power your starter directly, bypassing everything else. Jump from a known good battery (such as your car). Connect the battery minus terminal to the quad's engine ground, and connect the battery plus terminal directly to the starter motor input terminal. If the starter doesn't turn then your starter is bad.