Electrical Maintenance Tips for ATVs
Your ATVs electrical system is one of its most important—and most sensitive—components. That being said, electrical components don’t often require as much care and attention as other parts of your ATV and, as a result, often go ignored until they begin to malfunction. To avoid having to pay for any costly future repairs, we strongly advise reading through our helpful maintenance tips below to ensure your electrical system stays in tip-top shape.
Battery Upkeep
ATV batteries don’t really require much care, and can go quite a bit of time without any general upkeep. However, if you notice your battery’s poles have become dirty, or you see the beginning signs of corrosion, you’ll need to act quickly. Mix a small amount of baking soda and hot water into a slurry and apply it to your battery to remove any leaking acid. Afterward, you’ll want to wipe the battery down and re-attach your ATV’s cables. When reconnecting the terminals, double-check that there isn’t any dust or dirt that could upset the connection, and make sure the cables are firmly attached to the poles.
Replace Spark Plugs
If you’re having trouble getting your ATV up and running, it may be a sign that you have a bad spark plug. To check, you’ll want to remove the engine cover after you’ve disconnected your battery and use a T-handle or spark plug wrench to remove your plugs. Each plug should be clean and dry, with no signs of cracks or breakage. If you have one or more plugs damaged plugs, you’re welcome to try replacing them yourself. However, it’s a very delicate process, and you may be better off leaving the task to the professionals.
Protect Wiring
After a few bumpy trips with your ATV, it may be wise to double-check your wiring harness. It’s common for wires to come loose after a number of rough rides, and they’ll need to be pushed back into place and secured with a bit of duct tape after a few trips. If you’re not careful, and the wires come loose without you realizing, one could be pulled out by a stray branch or plant, and damage your ATVs sensitive electrical system.
Having trouble with your ATV’s ignition, lights, or dashboard? It may be a sign that some of your vehicle’s more sensitive electrical components have been damaged. If you can’t find the source of the problem yourself, or don’t know how to fix it, you’re welcome to visit us here at Langston Motorsports. Our location in Perris, California offers an amazing service center for ATVs and other powersport vehicles, and we proudly serve the areas of Orange County and Temecula, California.