What to Do If ATV Makes Buzzing Sound When Trying to Start

Have you ever started your ATV, but all that comes to your ears is a buzzing sound? Well, worry not, as you are not the only one to experience this strange phenomenon. Ideally, your engine should roar to life instead of producing that annoying buzzing sound.

In most cases, the buzzing noise when startingan  ATV is usually caused by a loose connection at the battery section. Other times, the ATV might have a damaged starter solenoid, among other issues.

In this article, we shall examine why an ATV makes a buzzing sound when trying to start, how to solve this issue, and any other related issues.

Recommended Read: Guide to Start an ATV Without Any Hiccup

Where does the buzzing sound come from?

Before we discuss the possible causes of buzzing noise when starting ATV, you need to know where this noise comes from the first place. To start with, the buzzing sound emanates from the starter relay.

This component flips back and forth at a terrific speed. If your ATV’s battery does not have enough charge, the relay usually gets stuck right in the middle. Consequently, you hear the buzzing sound any time you start your ATV.

ATV makes buzzing sound when trying to start- Causes & Fixes

If you normally hear a buzzing noise when starting ATV, here are the key reasons why you might experience this problem:

Recommended Read: How to Test an ATV Battery?

1. Your battery does not have enough charge

Your ATV’s battery charge is not sufficient enough to power up your quad. Remember that the battery plays a key role anytime you want to start your ATV. Therefore, it should always have enough charge so that it can always power up your ATV, even on a cold winter morning.

To determine whether your ATV battery is low, try using a multimeter to determine whether its voltage has dropped. Alternatively, you can consider using a load tester to check its current voltage.

In case you have not been using the ATV for a couple of months, chances are that its battery’s charge might drop. Therefore, you might have to charge its battery first and then establish whether the problem will persist the next moment when you start your ATV. If it drains, skip to the next point to find what is the fix. 

2. Your battery has seen better days

Besides having a low battery voltage, the other problem that can make your ATV to produce a buzzing sound whenever you start its engine is an old or dead battery waiting to be revived or replaced. This can be very evident if you have used your ATV for a couple of years without replacing its battery.

Ideally, the ATV battery should last for at least 2 to 3 years. However, this is common with flooded lead acid ATV batteries. If you have an AGM battery, it ought to last for at least 3 to 5 years. Depending on how you maintain the battery, the latter can have a lifespan of 8 years.

However, before you rush to replace the battery, ensure that you charge it fully and then take its voltage measurements with a multimeter. Thereafter, do not start your ATV for about 2 days. Once those days have lapsed, you can now go ahead and take voltage measurements. In case the voltage has significantly dropped, you should consider replacing the battery.

Recommended Read: Choose the Right Battery for Your ATV

3. Your ATV is drawing more current than it ought to.

Sometimes, you might charge your ATV fully but still, you experience a buzzing sound. This can happen if your ATV is drawing more current than it should. This means that there is a component in your ATV that consumes more power even when the engine is off.

Typically, this phenomenon is known as parasitic amperage draw. For instance, if there is a faulty fuse or a bad relay, or this is bound to happen. Even an accessory wire can be a culprit. 

Use a multimeter with amp settings to check the current draw – amperage– when the key is off. Anything over 0.03 amps could mean trouble.

4. Your ATV battery’s fluid levels have reduced significantly

If you are using a lead acid battery in your ATV, you need to ensure that it has the right fluid levels so that your battery can function optimally. Supposing the fluid levels have reduced due to one reason or another, you need to top it up. Thus, you can avert the problem of buzzing noise at starting the ATV.

However, if you have an Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery or a Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery, be certain you will not be able to top it up. Instead, you might have to replace it altogether. 

Recommended Read: Why Your ATV Is Not Starting Properly – Reasons & Fixes

5. Winter or cold conditions

In case you live in an area that experiences extreme weather conditions and relies on a lead acid battery, you might experience that scary sound anytime you start your ATV from time to time.

This is because lead acid batteries’ performance is adversely affected by cold temperatures. In this case, you might have to replace the battery and purchase a new one that is hardly affected by cold conditions.

Consider upgrading to an AGM battery if you live in colder regions—they’re way better in freezing temperatures.

6. Loose connections

Sometimes, your ATV battery might not have an issue. The problem might have to do with a loose connection on the terminal sections of the battery. Such is the case if you have been on some rough terrain out there. Here, the battery terminals might get loose unawares. If the terminals are loose, the ATV will not start successfully. Instead, you will hear a buzzing noise when starting it.

The good news is that this problem can be fixed easily. All you need to do is to fasten the terminals so that they remain in position properly. Other times, there might be some corrosion, inhibiting the flow of current from the battery.

To fix this problem, tighten all connections. Clean off any corrosion using a mix of baking soda and water, then apply dielectric grease before placing the terminals back in position.

7. The starter solenoid is faulty

Just like the ATV battery, the starter solenoid might be faulty. Commonly known as a starter relay, this component plays a major role whenever you want to start your ATV. This component mainly offers the much-needed contact point between your starter and the ATV battery.

Once you start your ATV, there will be some amperage that will be directed to the solenoid. As a result, the armature in the solenoid moves, thereby completing the circuit between the starter and then battery. 

If you hear a buzzing sound any time you start the ATV, chances are that the starter relay has an issue. This problem can occur due to debris, dirt, too much heat, among other factors. To fix this problem, you might have to replace the starter solenoid right away.

Other Problems to Keep an Eye On

Apart from the issues that we have discussed above, check out for the following problems and solve them right away:

• Is your key in pristine state?
• Ensure that your start button does not have moisture or water
• Check whether the connectors are working optimally.
• Check and establish whether your kill switch is working well or not. In case it is damaged, you might have to replace it.
• Ensure that there are no loose connections in the black box section. This is because a loose connector or a faulty wire that goes to the rectifier or ATV’s computer might cause this problem.
• Check whether the starter motor’s Bendix is working well or not.

Vital Tips on Maintaining Your ATV’s Battery

From the article above, it is crystal clear that battery issues can be some of the issues making you to experience a buzzing sound when you start your ATV. If you want to keep your ATV battery healthy, consider doing the following:

• Ensure that you charge your battery to full capacity all the time
• Do not let your ATV battery to remain with a partial charge.
• Let your battery charge for a certain period to avoid overcharging.
• Do not allow the battery to be drained or remain uncharged for long.

Pro Tips: How to Keep Your ATV Battery in Top Shape

Your ATV’s battery is like the heart of the electrical system—if it’s weak, everything else struggles. Whether you’re storing your quad for winter or using it regularly, keeping the battery in good condition is key to avoiding start-up issues like buzzing.

• Always keep your battery fully charged
• Don’t leave it partially charged for long periods
• Use a battery tender when your ATV’s in storage
• Avoid full discharges—it shortens battery life
• Keep it in a cool, dry place

Recommended Read: ATV Backfiring – Causes & Fixes

Is It Advisable to Jump-start an ATV from a Truck?

If your ATV keeps on making a buzzing sound when trying to start, you might be prompted to jump-start it from a truck. This idea might not work, and you risk damaging your ATV. This is because the truck’s charging system can exceed that of your ATV, thereby damaging it. Ideally, the truck should be off and not idling as you do this.

However, it is always advisable that you consider looking for another battery or charging your ATV battery first before you can start the quad again.

Now, Troubleshoot and Fix Your ATV Buzzing Sound at Starting

The last thing you would like to experience is a buzzing sound when you want to step out and have fun on the trails with friends and family members.

However, this problem is always imminent from time to time. From having loose connections around the battery section to cold weather, there is an array of reasons why ATV makes buzzing sound when trying to start.

If all the attempts fail to bear fruits, consider hiring an ATV mechanic so that he or she can fix the problem for you once and for good.

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