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UTV Troubleshooting Tips

May. 31 2022 Maintenance By Interstate Cycles

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Your trusty utility terrain vehicle (UTV) provides you with the easy off-roading transportation you need for both professional and personal riding purposes. However, like any other type of motorized vehicle, your UTV requires regular maintenance in order to remain functional. Even with that maintenance, you may still experience some peculiar problems that you’re not sure how to address. This guide to UTV troubleshooting should help you out.

General Difficulties

You may have a problem with your UTV that doesn’t seem like it really has a source that is easily identified, particularly if it seems to have nothing to do with the battery or the engine. Here are a few of the difficulties you might have with your UTV, along with some things that might be causing them: 

  • Grinding or failing brakes: Your UTV may lack brake oil or there may be air in your braking system. Other causes could be loose clippers or a loose disc brake plate that needs to be tightened. Worn-down brake pads could be another cause.
  • Noisy transmission: The transmission might make some annoying noises, which usually means that its gears are worn-down and need to be replaced.
  • Insufficient power: A loss of power could result from a sliding CVT transmission, which could merit a replacement of the belt or the clutch. The parking brake may also be functioning poorly, or your disc brakes may not be uncoupling fully.

Battery Issues

One common source of problems on a UTV is the battery that powers the vehicle’s electronics and helps it run. Some battery issues your UTV might have include: 

  • Malfunctioning starter: The battery may be dead, which merits replacement, or it may need to be charged up on a tender. The terminal connection may be poor, which requires you to grease the terminals and remove corrosion before you tighten them.
  • Unchargeable battery: The battery may have reached the end of its useful life, or it may have been run down to empty and not recharged. Replacement is the only option.
  • Corroded terminals: The connection may be poor, which means you should lubricate and tighten the terminals.
  • Dropping electrolyte levels: The battery’s electrolyte cell may be cracked or have a hole in it that is leaking fluids. You have to replace a leaking battery.

Engine Problems

Sometimes, the root cause of your UTV troubles is the engine, which has a great many moving parts that must all work together in order to propel you forward. Here are some issues to watch for when it comes to your UTV’s engine: 

  • Insufficient engine power: This could result from a number of factors, including a clogged injector, not having enough fuel, broken spark plugs, or some internal component is worn out.
  • Overheating engine: The coolant may need to be topped off, and the radiator cap may be loose or broken.
  • Failure to start: The engine may not have any fuel, or the fuel cover could be loose, or the fuel system is clogged.


    Drop by our dealership in Lake City, FL, to view our great selection of new and used UTVs for sale. You can also talk to our sales team about our financing options for your powersports purchase. Interstate Cycles serves our Florida customers in the cities of Jacksonville and Gainesville.