I just went to start up the quads in my shed because its sooo cold outside. The only one that wouldnt start is my wifes 06 bruin that probably has 5 hours on it. The starter tries for a second then it just dies out, the neutral light fades so I know the cold is taking a toll on the battery (or I think atleast)

So I go to use the pull start, I damn near fell on my @ss, there was no tension what so over. It did however slowly reel itself back.

I also heard a loud backfire but I dont know if it was hers or not because there was 3 atvs running in the 10x17 shed at the time, it was loud, could of been my buddies warrior w/ a pipe but I dont know.

Any ideas on why there was no tension on the pull start?

 

do you know how much juice is left in the battery it might be the battery is drained,hook a jumper up to and see if it will start

 

I can understand that as far as the battery, but the pull starter having no tension seems weird to me. I'll just throw my kerosene heater on it tomorrow and see what happens.

 

Have you been muddin with it? The reccomendations are to use the pull rope a few times after deep water or muddy water, to self clean the internals of the rope pull. Most likely youve got dried mud, holding the ratchet, of the rope pull away from the drive. It may need to come off and get flushed with soapy water to free it up now.
The backfire is caused by lean carburation, which is understandable when the temps drop. Modern carbs using a enrichener circuit as opposed to older quads with real chokes, just dont get rich enough when really cold. Try holding a mitten over the intake snorkle,(cover it about 90% closed)( or use duct tape to close it off 90%) going to the air box, and that will work like a real choke, and make it much easier to start in cold temps.