Side-by-side cranks but won't start: check the air filter first
Partager
Applies to: Polaris RZR and Ranger, Can-Am Maverick, Honda Pioneer and most fuel-injected side-by-sides
This one comes from our own shop. A side-by-side turned over fine but would not start. We were already thinking fuel, a broken wire, maybe the ECU. A neighbor who works as a mechanic came over, pulled the air filter, and it started right away. The filter was packed with dirt.
Symptoms
- Cranks strongly but won't fire, or fires and dies
- Starts with the air filter out
- Recent dusty or muddy rides
Why it happens
A fuel-injected engine meters fuel for the air it expects. A choked filter starves the engine of air, so the mixture is far too rich to light, especially when cranking. Water or mud soaked into the filter does the same.
How to fix it
- Open the airbox and look at the filter before chasing fuel or wiring.
- As a test only, try starting with the filter out for a few seconds. If it fires, the filter is the problem.
- Replace the filter, or clean and oil it if it's a foam type.
- Clean dirt out of the airbox and check the seal so dirt can't bypass the filter.
- Check the pre-filter and intake snorkel for mud or water.
Tools and parts
- Air filter
- Shop vacuum or rag for the airbox
What the factory service manual covers
Air intake: filter service interval, airbox removal, intake seals. The full procedure, specs and wiring diagrams are in the factory service manual for your machine.