2000 or 1999 model, 2x4, auto tranny

Went to start it yesterday and it wouldn't fire up. Messed with it for a bit and accidentally placed my foot between the floorboard and the clutch cover and it fired up. After some investigating, I noted that if I applied pressure to the cover, it would start.

I replaced fuel filter and spark plug. Yes the run switch is on. In neutral (Doesn't really matter). Gas is good, just had it running a few days ago.

This is my first auto tranny quad and honestly the Polaris Variable Transmission confuses me slightly. After looking at it, I'm seeing that the clutch slides in and out and grabs the belt. I honestly don't see how this could affect it from starting. Am I missing something here?  

the covers sometimes will sag or melt a bit and get against the drive clutch or the transmission pulley.
causing it to drag when you try to start it.  that could be the problem.
also look for any wires that may be resting against the cover.
you may have a short that makes contact and by moving the cover you move the wire.  

So it should start even with the cover off and even if the belt is worn, it wont keep it from starting?

The cover looked fine, I don't see any marks where it has dragged. The gasket needs replaced, but I really don't drive in any water and the inside looks clean.

The belt looks ok, but I was worried it had worn thin width wise.  

no actually it wont.
the clutch runs independantly of the transmission.
once you give it gas the engine spins faster and the clutch draws in tight against the belt causing the transmission to turn.

the clutch and the crank are balanced together.

you could yank the cover and make sure there is no visible damage to the clutch itself.

oh and check the motor mounts.
they aren't very large and wear out easily letting the engine sag and could cause it to get against the clutch cover.
I don't know why i didn't think of it earlier.
that's probably what is going on with your atv .

but also because moving the cover moves the engine a littls it could be a loose connection.

if it starts by lifting the cover, get down and lift the cover and look to see what is moving around the engine when it moves.  check all of your wire connections.  

Sorry it took me so long to post back. I think I got off track with the clutch cover, must have been just by chance.

So I started with the obvious... Spark, fuel, uhh oops no fuel coming from the pump. I bypassed the pump and it fired right up.

New pump right? Ordered a new pump, installed it, ran for 1 day and now its back to the no start again.

I haven't had a chance to seriously troubleshoot it yet as it is still cold in the garage. I pulled the line that supplies the pump with the pressure and I get good suction when trying to start it.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks  

I also forgot to add that I have already changed the fuel filter.  

sounds like defective materials, Polaris machines are rife with these.
and the dealers just do not like to honor the warranty.

and getting polaris to admit to all of their defects is like pulling hens teeth.

any chance you get by an aftermarket replacement part rather than the factory replacement.  

Well more update.

I had no spark using the starter. I fixed my pull rope and IT FIRED RIGHT UP with my pull start. Still though, with the starter it will not fire or start.

The battery is brand new with full charge. I even put a charger on 50A CC START and tried it and it still wont fire with the starter. It turns the flywheel fine and it sounds like its trying, but won't start.

Anyhow, I have a new problem. I am leaking gas from the drain screw on the carb. I removed the carb and cleaned it out. Still leaking gas. It is a pretty steady drip.  

check your floats.

you have two ways that fuel can come out of the drain.

the most obvious is by removing the drain screw, the other is through a tube inside the bowl that goes just above the floats, high float level.
it comes out of there if the floats stick open and the bowl overfills. check the floats for holes or cracks.  see if they are filling with fuel and weighing down.

or if the needle valve under the floats get full of trash and cannot close all the way. pull the floats and remove the needle valve,  i believe yours have a double float design that pins in the bowl and you have a float lever for when the floats raise that closes the needle valve.
not the best design but if the pins that the floats ride on are clean it normally works well. and also if the needle valve is clean and clear.  

The floats look good. The valve seems to open and close fine. I wanted to take the floats off to inspect the valve closer, but the floats seemed hinged on a pin. I am not sure how they come off.

In the manual underneath the valve is an O-ring. I want to check it but am not sure how to remove the floats.

 

pull the pin that the floats hinge on, but be very careful as the needle valve will fall out once the floats come off.  
if you have trouble getting the pin out use a small screwdriver to push it out, but be careful not to bend or break the aluminum arms that the pin runs through.

the needle valve is held onto the floats with a small thin wire.

don't lose the needle valve or the pin.  these cost like gold!!

check the oring it could very well be worn and most likely is. if so look for [ieces of the oring in there as well.  

when I pulled the needle valve out there was a lot of corrosion inside. I cleaned it all up, replaced the valve and o-ring and its working great now.

I still am having the no start issue with the electric starter though    It starts fine with the pull rope.

The starter itself is turning over fine, it just wont start.

Thanks for your help