I washed my atv with just the hose and now it won't start. Its not getting any spark. I replaced the spark plug and made sure all the connections looked good and now I'm stumped. What do you guys think it could be?

Thanks

 

Hmmm, sounds electrical unless you got water in the air filter. Guess you should have wrapped all the connectors like in my preventative maintenance post. Let it dry out for a day, check all the connectors and fuses. Drain a refill the fuel. If that does not work, you'll have to start pulling stuff off.

 

I don't think I got any water in the air filter. That shouldn't stop me from getting spark. The thing ran perfect before I gave it a bath witch wasn't much of one at that. I'm at a loss at what to try next.

 

I agree with Dynamo55B. Let it dry out.

I've mixed emotions on the wrapping the connectors with tape advice. It is somewhat effective at preventing splash water from causing problems, but if the connector gets submerged tape alone won't prevent water entry. It will go in between the wires in the wire bundle. And once the water gets in there the tape won't allow it evaporate back out quickly. This is doubly bad because trapped water can not only affect high voltage circuitry (by shorting it out), but it can exacerbate galvanic action on low voltage wires with positive voltages on them (causing corrosion) because the moisture is there much longer. I think a better approach is to leave the connectors open to the air and use dielectric grease on the pin connections. This way the connector dries quickly if it does get wet, and the water sloughs off the pins due to the hydrophobic action of the grease.

If you find that you quad doesn't start back up after drying out then we can look at the ignition system and find out why. Get yourself a meter at the ready, and I need to what knid of quad we are talking about (brand, year, engine size).

Make sure that you didn't leave a kill switch on. Especially check the tether pull cord (if you have it), and the handlebar kill switch - some models require you to put it in the middle position *and* push it in till it goes "click".

 

Ya I got the kill switches in the proper place. Can you tell me how to figure out what size engine is on the quad? I bought it off a friend at work and he can't seem to remember if it's a 90 or 110. I'll take a picture of it today when I get a chance. I never thought in a million years that washing this thing could cause so many problems.

 

I hit up most of the connectors with dielectric grease on the pin connections, then taped them. For my kids, they will never use the ATV in anything more than 2inches of water or mud, so splash was my is the biggest hazard for me. The little shield works great too. So yeah, if you know your ATV will be submerged than either make them water tight or leave them alone. LET IT BE KNOWN, I would never submerge these china ATVs. ( >12 inches) STRONGLY DISCOURAGED! BTW, when I wash mine, its with a bucket and a brush. Then a fine cone spray. Never direct jet or high volume. Sorry I can't be of more help. Good info LynnEdwards

 

I assume I can get the dielectric grease at the auto store?
I also have the manuals formthis quad and it doesn't tell me what size or year it is.
I hope when I get a pic up you guys will be able to determine what I have.
Thanks for all the help.

 

Ok guys the quad has sat for two days drying. Today I put dielectric on all the plugs. I had a little hope that it would start and I still don't have a spark. What is the next step in the diagnosis?

Thanks

 

It sounds to me like your coil pack went to **** on u. It may not have anything to do with the bath you gave it, that may just be a coincidence. I have no idea how much you know about mechanical things, but the first place i would check is your coil pack to see if it is getting power at all. No spark doesent absolutely mean your coil is dead, but if the wires are all hooked up and your getting juice to the pack, then its definitely ur pack.

 

It was the cdi box. I took one off my boys other one and it fired right up.

Thanks guys for the help