Hi, I have a 1997 Yamaha wolverine. It starts up and idols fine but when you take off it doesnt have the power, then it will get power and lose it again. I have taken the carberator off many time and cleaned it inside and out, changed the spark plug, and emptied the gas tank. Im starting to think it is something electrical. Can it be the cdi, the coil, or the stator?

 

When you clean the carb, are you cleaning the jets?

 

Jets are clean. carb is clean.

 

Have you tested the spark? You can ground the plug on the frame and press the starter, see if it has a strong and steady spark

 

spark is good.

 

my friend's ATV has the same problem has cleaned everything and still lost about half the engine power. (its 97 polaris 500 ) so if you find the problem let me know !

 

I have a problem like yours my 97 wolverine idles and sounds really good but as soon as I give it gas (in neutral) it starts popping and sputtering. I took the carb off and cleaned jets and put it back and it does the same thing. I checked all the diaphrams I also put a new spark plug. Just dont know what else to check It idles perfectly.

 

Possibilities:

Needle jet worn out
Float level needs adjusted ( I bet it is this one)
Pull plug and see if it is burning correctly
you can get a rebuild carb kit that way you can rule out the carb.

 

It sounds like it is most likely the parking brake switch. When the parking brake is engaged engine RPM is limited to under 2000 RPM I believe. It is common for the switch to stick or the parking brake cable is worn or not adjusted properly which is not allowing the switch the signal the CDI unit that the parking brake has been released. The switch is located on the left handlebar brake lever perch. You can follow the wires back from the handlebars, there should be a green and a yellow wire for the park brake switch. If you unplug this connector and the engine runs through the rev range then you found the problem.

 

Yup, totally agree with that, the Warrior and Wolverine suffered from bad brake switches from 96 on up, my 95 Wolverine did not have it,and I have the burned caliper and warped rotor to prove it !!!
As far as the power loss on the 97, have you checked your slide diaphram? 96 on up Wolverines used a CV type carb, any tear or hole in the rubber diaphram that operates the slide will cause big problems in performance, it will idle fine, but when you rev it up, the hole caused loss of vacuum to the slide and it wont lift much, cutting power way back.