ATVs are the new coolest thing nowadays, and every person would love to own an ATV. It’s fun and thrilling for both the kids and adults. One of my friends who live in Florida says they are crazy about riding ATVs. And Arctic Cat ATV is quite popular among them.  

However, if you are also an Artic Cat ATV user, you might have faced some difficulties with your ATV. No worries, I will review all the Arctic Cat ATV problems here. I have listed the most common troubleshooting issues according to the users of Arctic Cat.

This includes reliability, fuel leaking, fire hazard, faulty rear brake, bad vacuum piston, heated clutch issues, maintenance problems, engine starting problems, backfire, constant fire to the coil, dead battery, etc. Fear not, these issues can be fixed by adjusting the idle, installing new brakes, etc.

Arctic Cat ATV Problems And Solution At A Glance:

Problems	Solution
ATV won’t stay running	Adjust the idle
It takes a start but doesn’t run.	Check the run switch
Faulty breaks	Install new brake pads
Fire hazard due to a fuel leak	Check the overflow or replace the gas cap
Battery keeps dying	Give a voltage reading
Overheat problem	Check the thermostat cooling system
Misfiring engine	Fix the imbalance of the air and fuel
Clogged fuel injectors	Clean the air filter
Auto choke problem	Try adjusting the air screw
No spark	Replace the spark plug

As we already have an idea what are the most common problems of Arctic Cat ATV, let’s see how to fix them without replacing them with a new one.

1. ATV Won’t Stay Running

This is a common issue for ATV users that sometimes it gets difficult to start the ATV. And after, sometimes the engine stops. It occurs when you set the idle slow or the intake boot is damaged. The spark could be the problem in this issue. The fuel line may be restricted or clogged. And if anything doesn’t work, you could disassemble the carb and clean it properly.  

Solution

You can fix this by adjusting the idle. And check if the run switch is on.

• If you set the idle too slow on your ATV, it might not get enough gas to start. So, check the idle and set it to a minimum speed so it can get gas to keep your ATV’s engine running.
• Check the spark plug; it should be a healthy light brown color to give you proper service. If it’s black and dry, you must replace it with a new one. Follow the user manual for the right fit for your ATV model.
• If the carburetor is dirty, fuel won’t work for the ATV. Clean the carburetor, and it might be clogged from the fuel.  

2. Faulty Breaks

A faulty break can give you a tough time with your off-road ATV riding. It may happen because of improper adjustment or damaged brake controls. Worn brake pads can also mess with the brake system of the ATV. You can tell your brake system ki faulty by some symptoms like the brake doesn’t respond immediately, brake pedals feeling hard, etc.

Solution

You can start by giving your ATV a typical brake setup that will require you to acknowledge your vehicle’s brake type. It should be either hand operated hydraulic brake or foot operated mechanic brake.

• Know the brake circuit type of your ATV and readjust the brake system.
• If you have a hydraulic brake system, the air is a problem most of the time. The air tends to stick in the hydraulic system, making it difficult to operate. So you can watch out for the airflow for this.
• You can tell your brake pad is worn out when your ATV’s fluid level is low. It makes it difficult for the vehicle to stop. Change the brake pad in this case.  

3. Fire Hazard Due To A Fuel Leak  

If your ATV is leaking gas and you do not fix it, it may lead you to a fire hazard at any time. There are some issues by which you can assume that your vehicle is leaking fuel. A blocked gas cap, carburetor float opened, the needle valve is misplaced, the o-ring might need replacement, etc., could be the reason behind this. You can check the bottom of your ATV’s fuel tank to know if it’s leaking and save your ATV from a fire hazard.

Solution

A regular fuel tank check can save you from this problem. Make sure your fuel cap seal is closed properly.

• If the leakage occurs due to a leaky valve or a split fuel line, then you need to replace the valve with a new one. Drain the tank before you install a new one.
• Check whether the fuel tank vent is working or not. If the vent is blocked, the air pressure inside the vent will force fuel into the car, and fuel will leak. You can fix this problem by replacing the gas cap. 
• Disassemble the carb, get a carb cleaner, and clean the carb thoroughly using a brush. It tends to get stuck inside from the old gas and oil. And don’t forget to inspect the needle valve, o-ring valve, and float when you disassemble the carb. 

4. The Battery Keeps Dying

The battery keeps dying because it might be a very old battery. So, it can’t hold the charge for a long time, or the fluid level is low, or you need to change the stator. Sometimes, if you leave your ATV inactive for a long time, the battery might not work well. If you have a weak charging system, this problem will occur.

Solution

• If your ATV battery is old, it can’t hold a charge for a long time. Change the battery, and the instruction manual will help you to know what type of battery you should buy.
• Check if there is any loose or damaged ground cable. Loose or damaged cables interrupt the charging system. Remove the cable from the terminal and tighten the cable. If the cable is damaged, then get a new one and install it.
• The low fluid level makes the battery dull. Check the fluid level and restore it with the necessary fluid.  

5. Overheating Problem

If you notice that your engine is hotter than usual, there is sudden power loss, or oil dripping; you can say it’s an overheating problem. Sometimes, there could be steam coming from the radiator or a burning smell. When you ride off-road, the mud and dirt clog the radiator, and the overheating problem starts from there. A wrong type of oil mix could also cause this problem.  

Solution

• Use the right oil mix and a rich and good one.
• Keep the radiator as clean as possible. Detach it from the vehicle and power wash it with a hose. And Keep checking if it’s dirty from time to time.
• You can get a digital radiator cooling, preventing the radiator from getting hot frequently.  

6. No Spark

Many functions work together to get your ATV spark to have a good start. If you get no spark, you might get problems with the spark plug, spark wire, ignition coil, or battery. You won’t get a spark if they do not respond to each other. You have to figure out how they are connected and which one is not working.  

Solution

If you have already figured out how the components are connected, eliminate each one and identify the faulty one.

• Test the spark plug with a spark plug tester and make sure it is not working. Get a new spark plug, and it’s not that expensive, either.
• Now, check if the kill switch is on; if it’s not, then on it.
• Check for any loose connectors. If there are any, tighten them.
• Use a multimeter to test the ignition coil.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

As we have already got the idea about all the Arctic Cat ATV problems, we can help ourselves with all the sudden problems. You can solve most of the common issues on your own if you a give good maintenance. However, there will always be some major problems you can’t fix; in that case, you may need to go to the mechanic.

If you face any of the problems that are mentioned before, you can try fixing them at home following this writing. And I hope you get the help you need. And Arctic Cat ATV also gives a manual that also shows you some beneficial tips.