[Steve Hines]

I have a 2019 UForce 500 and have had it for just over a year.  I was experiencing no problems until today.  I got on the UTV, cranked it up and started to back up.  I backed up about 6 or 8 feet and the engine went dead for no apparent reason.  I tried to re-start it and it will only click.  It appears to me to be in the engine/starter area.  Anyone have any thoughts?

[NMKawierider]

Lots of water in fuel-related freezing but I wouldn't thing in Louisiana that would be a problem...unless it is freezing there with all these storms lately. Otherwise check all the fuses and connections.

[Steve Hines]

I am not having any fuel issues with the unit. 

Since the unit is out of warranty, I decided to take the starter off to see if it was working properly.  I tested it and found it to spin freely when I connected it to the battery so I have eliminated a starter problem.  When I re-installed the starter and tried to start it, I put one hand on the starter while I turned the key and felt the starter trying to engage.  I am now pretty sure that something in the engine or the CVT unit has locked up.  Since I am unfamiliar with the mechanical aspect of this UTV, I really don't know where to start to diagnose the problem. Anyone have anything like this happen to them?

[Gancho-8]

Good morning, the same thing happened to me on my zforce800 ex and it was the red safety off switch. At the moment I have eliminated it and bridged it until I find a quality one!

[doug80638]

That sounds like a weak/high resistance  connection someplace, or a marginal/weak battery.

I go with the connection first because it could explain why the engine stopped for no reason.

So, jump the starter solenoid. If it doesn't spin, then check all the connections at the battery and solenoid first, then load test the battery.

I would do that before taking bigger things apart.

[Steve Hines]

Ok since I don't play the waiting game to well, I decided to dig further into the UTV.  I took the cover off of the CVT clutch and examined the variable clutch.  Everything looked ok so I turned the engine pulley with my hands BACKWARDS because it would not turn in the running direction.  After a few turns backwards, I could turn the pulley both ways.  I decided to try the starter and the starter began turning the engine over but immediately locked up again.  I now know that there is something in the engine that has broken or come loose.  Anyone have a comment on what it might be?  It acts like a piston rod has come loose. 

[doug80638]

Yikes!   Did you feel any compression resistance? How many rotations in reverse from stop?

The crank appears free so ...

Is the piston moving (pull the spark plug)? Something in the top end is hitting the piston (like a valve) before TDC? Timing chain failure perhaps?

I'm curious to know what the failure is.

[NMKawierider]

I also find it interesting that as the 500s have a one-way in the primary, although it makes sense that the crank only turns backwards...the fact that it released after a few turns and allowed it to turn forward is..well..really odd. You need to pull the plug, put it in neutral and try turning the primary in the normal direction. If you can not, she's got a problem..like doug80638 says, it likely a valve timing issue.

[Steve Hines]

I didn't turn it enough to feel and compression.  When I get the chance, I will get back to it to examine it further and post what I find.

[Steve Hines]

Ok, I have re-visited the 500.  The crankshaft will turn only so far in both directions (about one complete revolution).  I turned it with the spark plug in and with the spark plug out.  There appears to be no change in the effort needed to turn the crank either way.  There does seem to be some energy developed while turning the crank that causes the crank to surge forward for a short distance.  I don't know anything else to check.  I need to figure out where to start dismantling the engine to come to a definitive answer to the problem.  Can anyone help with this?

[NMKawierider]

Ok, I have re-visited the 500.  The crankshaft will turn only so far in both directions (about one complete revolution).  I turned it with the spark plug in and with the spark plug out.  There appears to be no change in the effort needed to turn the crank either way.  There does seem to be some energy developed while turning the crank that causes the crank to surge forward for a short distance.  I don't know anything else to check.  I need to figure out where to start dismantling the engine to come to a definitive answer to the problem.  Can anyone help with this?

What you are describing is an engine that the valve timing has slipped at least two teeth to allow the piston to hit the valves. That...or she has thrown the rod.