Why Won’t My ATV Start? 4 Easy Cold-Morning Fixes

 

There’s nothing more frustrating than gearing up for an early ride, heading into the garage, and being greeted by that dreaded click-click-click. It’s freezing outside, you’re ready to hit the trails, and your ATV refuses to cooperate. If you own a popular 4 Wheelers For Sale at good price from brands like TaoTao or Vitacci, you already know that cold mornings can make them a little stubborn.

The good news? Most of the time, nothing is actually broken. Your quad just needs a bit of extra attention to wake up. Before you haul it to a mechanic, try these four simple fixes.

1. A Cold, Weak Battery

Low temperatures are brutal on batteries. When it’s cold, the chemical reaction inside the battery slows down, reducing its power. Even a battery that seemed fine yesterday can struggle to start an engine on a chilly morning.

The fix:

If you hear slow cranking or repeated clicking, connect the battery to a trickle charger for an hour or two. If needed, carefully jump-start it. Going forward, keep the battery on a tender or store it indoors when temperatures drop below freezing.

2. The Choke Isn’t Being Used Properly

Cold air is denser, which throws off the air-to-fuel mixture in gas engines. Without enough fuel, the engine won’t fire. That’s exactly why your ATV has a choke.

The fix:

Find the choke lever (usually on the left handlebar or directly on the carburetor) and set it to the On/Closed position. Crank the engine without touching the throttle. Once it starts, let it idle for about a minute, then slowly move the choke back to the open position.

3. The Brake Safety Switch Is Holding You Back

Many modern Chinese ATVs won’t start unless the brake is engaged. In cold weather, that brake safety switch can become stiff or fail to make proper contact.

The fix:

Squeeze the brake lever firmly—harder than you think you need to. Pump it a few times if necessary. Also double-check that the kill switch is set to Run (or the circle icon).

4. Old Fuel Is Clogging the System

Gasoline doesn’t age well. Fuel left in the tank from last season can turn sticky and clog the tiny jets in the carburetor. Cold weather only makes the problem worse.

The fix:

If the engine cranks but won’t start, drain the old fuel. Most carburetors have a small screw at the bottom of the bowl for this. Refill the tank with fresh, high-octane fuel. Adding a bit of fuel cleaner or SeaFoam can also help clear things out.

Still Won’t Start?

If you’ve tried all of these steps and your ATV still won’t cooperate, it might be time to consider repairs—or even an upgrade. Older machines can simply wear out over time. At Affordable ATV, we offer fully assembled, tested models that are ready to ride in any season. Whether you need replacement parts or want to explore new inventory, we’ve got you covered.

Don’t let cold weather ruin your ride. Get that engine fired up and enjoy the trails!