Can-Am Technical Tips

These tips are to help you understand the working of your ATV and help identify and troubleshoot issue you may encounter.

Macpherson Strut Models  You may notice a clunking noise while riding on rough terrain. The strut is a great light weight suspension that makes the 400 and 500 series feel light and handle great. The noise is heard when the strut becomes fully extended and the unsprung weight is raised by the strut. The strut at maximum extension is not silent dampened so a clunk noise may be heard, and should be considered as normal.

Outlander, Renegade Radiator Swelling If your ATV constantly overheats even with a clean radiator you may have a swelled rad. When pressure is too high it should lift the rad cap and vent to the coolant expansion bottle. A number of things can cause the pressure to build, faulty rad cap not lifting, failed coolant pump not circulating, mud or debris blocking rad, failed head gasket, coolant expansion bottle not venting. When the pressure is not allowed to escape and build high enough the rad tubes will expand and crush the fins reducing or blocking air flow thru the rad. If the coolant bottle vent is plugged or blocked it can cause this. Part way through the 2008 model year a new vent system on the coolant expansion bottle was introduced on the V-Twin Outlanders. It consists of a grommet, elbow fitting and hose fitted to the coolant bottle cap. It it less prone the blocking or plugging up. The previous vent was a inner cap with a hole in it under the coolant bottle cap.  It is a good idea and cheap insurance against rad failure to update the cap venting to the newer version. Please note with the new version venting, you need to ensure that the hose points towards the rear of the ATV when the cap is installed, the winch remote may interfer and pinch the hose if it does not.

Low Performance 2009 Outlander, Renegade Models - Some Can-Am ATV's produced before October 2008 did not allow the throttle to open all the way. Since throttle position is used to determine fuel delivery and ignition timing on a EFI engine a small change in opening can have a significant effect on engine performance. Most of these were checked or adjusted at PDI or the 10 hour inspection. If you purchased a 2009 ATV before October and haven't had it back to your dealer it may need adjustment.

Outlander Low Battery Message when using winch - When using your winch with your ATV turned off or at an idle you may encounter a Low Battery message on your gauge and the ATV may go into Limp Home mode. Winches require a lot of power to operate, under full load a winch can draw 200 amps. The charging system on a V-twin is able to put out around 25 amps above 4000rpm, much less than required by the winch. Under extended use the battery will be drawn down. The ATV goes into limp home mode because the EFI requires a certain amount of voltage to operate. This is all normal, when using your winch keep the rpms up, and use it as efficiently as possible.

Outlander,Renegade 400, 500,650,800 CVT Cover Drain - Many customers are not aware that the CVT does have a drain. To drain the cover remove the lower rear CVT bolt and washer. The gasket on the cover is configure open on the upper side of this bolt to allow it to drain. The 400 drain is the center bolt.

Outlander, Renegade 500,650,800 No Electrical Power - If you turn the key and nothing happens, check the 30 Amp fuses at the back of the ATV located on the right side by the voltage regulator.  They are protected by a housing, if doing alot of mudding we have found mud/water in the housing and the fuse contacts corroded.

Outlander, Renegade 500,650,800 Fuel Tank vent - On 2006-2008 Outlander/Renegades we have come across situations were the ATV had not been washed after mudding and the fuel tank vent was encapulated in mud. When the mud dryed, it would not allow air into the the fuel tank. The fuel tank collasped as the fuel pump drew fuel from the tank. This vent is located under the seat, on the top of the right side of the fuel tank. It it black and white (white end out, black end attached to hose) and is attached to Y fitting and the fuel tank fitting.

Outlander, Renegade 500,650,800 Solenoid Corroision - Since 2008 these machines were produced with a cover over the electrical wires and solenoid under the rear right fender (prior models had no cover). This area is prone to seeing alot of mud. The cover can hold the mud in there and is often over looked when cleaning the machine. If the mud if not washed out regularly it can keep the solenoid and wires damp and prone to corroding. Clean regularly, wash with hose water at low pressure. Never use a pressure washer on electrical components.

Outlander, Renegade, Quest Hard to Shift, Creeping Ahead - The recommended maintenance on CVT clutch is 100 hours or yearly. However if the atv is constantly run in harsh dusty, sandy conditions or the clutches are subject to water or mud it is recommend that the one way clutch on the drive clutch be taken off, cleaned and lubricated more often. If this isn't done, the one way clutch could stick causing the atv to creep ahead or back  when put in gear, could cause damage or premature wear to the belt or clutch components, it can also make it difficult to shift into gear.