I have a '01 4x4 that will not start. I drained the gas thinking what I put in was old but it will still not start. It hits only once or twice in a five second starting try. It is like it is not firing at all. I am going to replace the spark plug next. It was running fine and then just would not crank. Any suggestions?

 

Definitely try replacing the spark plug. My Cat 500i did the same thing. Was running fine, left it parked for a few days, and it just wouldn't start. Spluttered, popped, but wouldn't start. I replaced the plug, and it fired right up. Darned if I could see anything wrong with the old plug...

My 96 Bear, on the other hand, also quit running this summer after running poorly for a day, but it turned out to be crud in the carb float bowl.

 

New plug did the trick but the old one looked fine. Go figure, just a little black around the business end.