How to Jumpstart a 12-Volt ATV Battery
Just like a car battery, the battery in your ATV can become drained or even die completely. Often, this is due to not driving the ATV for a prolonged period of time or accidentally leaving the ignition switch on or the lights burning. If you discover that your ATV battery is dead, you can have it up and running again in no time. All that's required is a pair of common jumper cables and access to a fully charged 12-volt battery.
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Instructions
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Lift the seat to access the compartment that holds your ATV's battery and remove any shields that block your access to the battery terminals. If you cannot access the battery terminals, you will have to remove the battery and recharge it using a battery charger or attempt to bump start the ATV.
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2
Pull a car, truck or ATV close to the ATV that has the drained battery---close enough for the jumper cables to reach between the two batteries. Turn off the booster vehicle's engine and open the hood (for a car or truck) or remove the seat (for an ATV). You'll need to have access to the second vehicle's battery as well.
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3
Connect a positive clamp on the jumper cables to the positive terminal on the dead ATV battery and then connect the remaining positive clamp to the positive terminal on the booster vehicle. Also connect the negative clamp to the negative terminal on the booster vehicle. This will leave you with one remaining negative clamp. Attach this negative clamp to a piece of bare metal on the ATV.
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Check to make sure the jumper cables are attached securely. If you're using another ATV to jump the ATV with the dead battery, go ahead and start it. However, if you're using a car or truck, leave the ignition off. Because the ATV battery is smaller, the charge from a running car or truck could damage the ATV battery.
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Attempt to start the ATV with the dead battery. If it fails to start immediately, give it a few more minutes to charge via the jumper cables and try again. If the jumper cables are attached properly, the ATV should start.
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Detach the jumper cables in the reverse order you hooked them up, replace any shields that covered the battery and reattach your ATV's seat.
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Tips & Warnings
If you don't have jumper cables or another vehicle close by, you can bump start your ATV. Simply turn the switch on, hold in the clutch and place it in second gear. While holding the clutch, push the ATV until you gather some speed. Jump on the ATV and pop the clutch. Your ATV should start. After it's running, drive the ATV around for about 30 minutes to help recharge the battery.
References
- Photo Credit atv airborne image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
