I noticed sometime back that my 05 800 EFI would sputter sometimes while messing around the yard but on friday I was trying to back it up so that I could pull my fisher plow out and it just died, I got it started but it shuts right down and the check engine light came on (warranty just ran out) a friend of my thinks that it could be a bad spark plug, where is it located? (still running original) but only have like 30 miles on quad. It starts sputters and then dies, need help please I am a rookie.

 

Normally I'd ask a stupid question like "Is there fuel in the tank?"
In your situation, you said that the check engine light came on. There may be a failsafe program built into the computer that won't allow the engine to operate, for fear of engine damage. (Possibly caused by low oil level or pressure, low coolant level, etc.)

Hopefully someone with more knowledge will be able to be more specific.

 

I remember seeing someone else on one of the forums with a similar problem. Ended up being the fuel pump. If it's like the one I just replaced on my GMC Yukon this weekend it's in the tank.

 

Check the slack in your ETC

 

There is a diagnostic mode you can enable which allows read out of error codes just like a car with a scanner on your speedometer pod. If you have a service manual the codes (if any are displayed) are listed inside the book. It's a good place to start. I believe your owners manual decribes the procedure for the diagnostic mode but not the code translation but the service manual has it all. I have an 800 but am not at home yet where the manuals are to be more specific.

 

you have to turn on and off your keyswitch 2 times in succesion and then turn it on a third time right afterwards and it should go into diagnostic mode and cycle through the numbers

 

I would not worry too much about the "Check Engine" part of the diagnosis, because the key is on, without the engine running!

 

not sure if this will help but you have 2 spark plugs (2 cylinders) both are factory Champion plugs. Get rid of the Champions! I recently" got out" of wheeling with trucks and the same applys for ATVs (from experience). Champion plugs foul out and dont clean themselves. Polaris machines seem to foul easily, install NGK or other quality plugs in everything that you own that burns gas. Plugs are hard to get at (biggest complaint I have on Polaris side by side motors) One plug is on each side of the head. find plug wire and follow it down. BEFORE pulling wire off make sure the hole the plug fits into is clean. (nother flaw) use compressed air to blow area clean . you can handle it from there.