No start after summer dead instrument panel

[yukolix]

My 2007 VK professional won't start after being stored for the summer. There is no sign of life on the instrument panel, no indicator light coming on, nothing on the display. The engine is turning over fine when I turn the key to the start position, but it won't fire up, nothing (I follow the manual for starting it).

I checked everything over (visual Check) and all looks ok, checked all fuses (is there more than one fuse box?). I read the user and service manual, not much info there. I searched the forum for posts that could be helpful. I found some posts referring to the relay in front of the air filter box. Could that be a place to start?

I'm new to the VK. I bought the VK used last winter and it did run without any problem all season, it was running fine when I parked it after the last season. I did check the machine over and made sure everything was in order when I parked it.

Anyone out there experienced the same problem?

 

[maim]

gauge does not light up on a carb sled until the motor is running usually.

have you cleaned the pilot jets or tried lightly pressurizing the gas tank?

they tend to leak down when not started every 3-4 weeks in the off season.

 

[WANN4STROKE]

Mine is always a pain to start all beginning of season. Always afraid I am going to flood it. Just pump the throttle and hold when trying to start.

 

[stewartb]

You DID pull the kill switch out, yes? Hey, I've made that mistake before. My Pro takes lots of cranking time to get it started after a summer off. Give it time. Remember to choke it and be ready to open the choke when it fires.

 

[yukolix]

Thanks for the helpful tips. I did go easy on the starter so I'll give it an other try and be more patient(and persistent). Yes I checked the kill switch. So it's OK for the instrument panel and the check light not to light up until the engine fires?

 

[WANN4STROKE]

They don't come on until engine starts

 

[Grimm]

As Maim stated, try pressurizing your fuel tank.

Find the open fuel overflow drain line, which is usually attached to the frame near the left foothold. Disconnect and blow into this line and pinch it off. Then try turning over the engine.

 

[Tom Lee]

Just fill the gas tank. This puts enough head pressure on the fuel to get it to the fuel pumps. It will start then when the carbs fill up. Fuel seems to get out of the fuel pumps over the summer if the tank is not full. Pressurizing the tank works but is slightly more dangerous. If you'll notice, the pumps are mounted a bit higher than most other sleds. Fuel injected models dont experience this problem due to the in tank fuel pump.

 

[Apex18]

I owned the exact year of machine & yes they are hard starting after summer storage. What I did was take the airbox off, only a couple clamps & while turning engine over spray some gas into the carbs---works like a charm. I used an mt. WINDEX spray bottle . G0OD LUCK!!!

 

[yukolix]

I got the machine started. What worked for me in the end was opening the front of the air box and spray ether start fluid while cranking the engine. It started after the second try. I let it run for a while to warm it up. We don't have quite enough snow yet tho go for a ride.

Thank you all for your help.

 

[tfox]

Nice to know it is just not my machine that is hard to start every year.

For my machine I remove the air cover and use quick-start. Takes about 30 seconds of a quick squirt every once in a while just to help keep the engine running until the fuel system is primed. I don't like using the quick-start as I'm not sure if it does more harm than good. I will try pressurizing the fuel tank next time

Terry

 

[spencer]

I use a spray bottle with gas in it works good