Kawasaki mule idle issues - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

Cuz · 08-10-2016, 05:57 PM

We've got a 2013 trans mule 4x4. It's had an idle issue for a long while now. It runs like a bat if you're giving it gas, but it won't idle for nothing, not for any extended amount of time anyway... I can adjust the idle to a much higher rpm and it will "idle" but that's not good either. We've taken it to shop a few times. All 3 claimed it was a doing it for 3 different reason and within a couple months of the shops putting their own form of band aide on it, it's not wanting to idle again.
So starting again from square one, any pointers from the TBH brain-trust? Maaaaybe someone has had and fixed this same issue...?

Thanks!

Solocam00 · 08-10-2016, 06:00 PM

have you tried to adjust the throttle positioning sensor while its running? thats been the only issue with one of ours at the ranch.

RealTreeHunter · 08-10-2016, 06:35 PM

We have 2 Mules and both do the exact same thing. It's like they idle really low when just sitting there and finally just peter out. They run just fine and crank up fine, but can't idle. It's to the point that whenever I come to a complete stop to do anything that takes over a minute, I just turn them off.

breese · 08-10-2016, 06:49 PM

Is it fuel injected or carb?

shark79 · 08-10-2016, 06:53 PM

Mine did the same thing. Kawasaki dealer in Goldthewaite fixed it under warranty.

RealTreeHunter · 08-10-2016, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shark79

Mine did the same thing. Kawasaki dealer in Goldthewaite fixed it under warranty.

Ours isn't under warranty anymore. What did they do to it?

shark79 · 08-10-2016, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealTreeHunter

Ours isn't under warranty anymore. What did they do to it?

Mine wasn't under warranty either but they said kawasaki new they had issues with the engine design. Not sure what they did but it runs great now.

texasdeerhunter · 08-10-2016, 07:15 PM

Wish I could help, because ours did the same thing. I took it in to get serviced, and they fixed it, but I don't know what they did. Are you running the mid range octane gas in it? We have always ran the mid octane stuff in it, and I will add some fuel additive to it every now and then if I know it will be sitting for a while without use.

ByronB · 08-10-2016, 07:20 PM

My 610 is ten years old but has been running just fine. Last time out it ran good for an hour. After that it was all downhill. Every time I came to a stop it died. When I ran it at a regular speed no problems. Could the carburetor be clogged? Gas tank drained? Spark plug changed? Going to take it apart next time to the lease.

ByronB · 08-10-2016, 07:20 PM

Oops....Cuz.....did not me to high jack your thread.

ByronB · 08-10-2016, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solocam00

have you tried to adjust the throttle positioning sensor while its running? thats been the only issue with one of ours at the ranch.

I have seen this done before on another Mule 610. Turned the idle up. It would idle fast. However, when putting it in gear it would make a loud clunk.

fbchunter · 08-10-2016, 08:00 PM

My 2014 trans mule did the EXACT same thing. It was the throttle position sensor and was covered under warranty. Dropping mine off there was a guy picking one up just like it and his was a year older and was doing same thing and was covered under warranty, and it was the same fix. I think it wouldve been no more than 3-400$ without warranty but it has been a a year and a half so I may be a little off.

76aggie · 08-11-2016, 10:55 AM

I have an older 610 as well. First off, I love it. Is cold natured but I can live with that. I have the opposite problem. Mine tends to idle too fast. ByronB talked about the loud clunk when going into gear and I believe that is because it is going into gear with the idle too fast. That could cause damage to transmission gears. I have a fix for that in that I just start the thing in gear as not to damage the transmission gears. You can start one in gear if you put your foot on the brake while starting it.

Big_gun · 08-11-2016, 11:41 AM

my 2005 Trans did that, took it to the shop and they greased the throttle cable, took the inner steel cable out and wiped and re greased.... i was expecting a $300 carb cleaning bill... cost me $40

Randy · 08-11-2016, 02:35 PM

We have this problem pretty often. Mostly likely the throttle body is dirty. You can take it off and clean it, or you can run a couple tanks of gas w seafoam or injector cleaner through it. Usually clears up after two tanks or so. I was told this is because of running crappy fuel. Mules like higher octane fuels.

Team Porkchop · 08-11-2016, 03:15 PM

I had the same problem and it turned out it needed a new spark plug. Now every year before hunting season I change all the oils, replace the fuel filter in the tank (Might want to look at that too), clean the air filters, and replace the spark plug.

Cuz · 08-11-2016, 06:03 PM

I don't think there is a carb...

Yes, we've been running good fuel on it for over a year now.

Reel Screamer · 08-11-2016, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76aggie

I have an older 610 as well. First off, I love it. Is cold natured but I can live with that. I have the opposite problem. Mine tends to idle too fast. ByronB talked about the loud clunk when going into gear and I believe that is because it is going into gear with the idle too fast. That could cause damage to transmission gears. I have a fix for that in that I just start the thing in gear as not to damage the transmission gears. You can start one in gear if you put your foot on the brake while starting it.

What year is yours. I have a 2008 and don't think mine will do that.

Winman · 08-11-2016, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reel Screamer

What year is yours. I have a 2008 and don't think mine will do that.

Mine is a 2010,and it won't start like that either.

Tbar · 08-11-2016, 07:19 PM

It is a known issue and will be covered under warranty(emissions). First trip to the shop they will clean the throttle body. The second trip they will replace the throttle body. Guess fuel injected was not such a great idea.

My 2014 is doing the same thing.

HoustonHunter94 · 10-18-2017, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy

We have this problem pretty often. Mostly likely the throttle body is dirty. You can take it off and clean it, or you can run a couple tanks of gas w seafoam or injector cleaner through it. Usually clears up after two tanks or so. I was told this is because of running crappy fuel. Mules like higher octane fuels.

I know its an old thread but I was having the same issue with my 2009 Mule and did a search. Starts and runs great but if you need to get out and do anything for longer than a couple min, just turn it off because it will eventually die. I put some injector cleaner in it and a tank of high octane gas, hope it clears it up. Glad to see I am not the only one with this issue.

perow · 10-18-2017, 04:44 PM

I have a 610 and have the same problem-I have just learned to deal with it but it would be nice to have fixed

Randy · 10-18-2017, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoustonHunter94

I know its an old thread but I was having the same issue with my 2009 Mule and did a search. Starts and runs great but if you need to get out and do anything for longer than a couple min, just turn it off because it will eventually die. I put some injector cleaner in it and a tank of high octane gas, hope it clears it up. Glad to see I am not the only one with this issue.

We have learned recently there’s a problem with the mules with high humidity days. They have this problem in Texas Oklahoma and Louisiana. Not exactly sure what the part is but the first time you take it to the dealership they clean the part then the next time you take it they actually change the part out under warranty. Just had one in the shop last week with the same problem and about to send the second one. I will try to figure out exactly what the part is but we have learned is a Kawasaki problem not something that we are doing wrong

fbchunter · 10-18-2017, 09:46 PM

I posted in the original thread about my fuel injected 2014 but yalls issues sound exactly like mine. I limped it along for a while until it would hardly run. Tried seafoam and adjusted idle. It was the throttle position sensor and been running great ever since

ByronB · 10-18-2017, 09:51 PM

I took my 610 in to the Kawasaki Dealer in Fredricksburg. They did an outstanding job on it. It now runs fine. No more idle problems. They changed the battery, spark plug, cleaned the carburator, drained the gas, oil change, filter, and fuel filter for about $440. Mine is a 2006 model and I believe it has plenty of life still in it.

08-10-2016, 05:57 PM	#1
Cuz Pope & Young Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Midlothian Hunt In: Central & West TX	Kawasaki mule idle issues We've got a 2013 trans mule 4x4. It's had an idle issue for a long while now. It runs like a bat if you're giving it gas, but it won't idle for nothing, not for any extended amount of time anyway... I can adjust the idle to a much higher rpm and it will "idle" but that's not good either. We've taken it to shop a few times. All 3 claimed it was a doing it for 3 different reason and within a couple months of the shops putting their own form of band aide on it, it's not wanting to idle again. So starting again from square one, any pointers from the TBH brain-trust? Maaaaybe someone has had and fixed this same issue...? Thanks!

08-11-2016, 07:19 PM	#20
Tbar Ten Point Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas	It is a known issue and will be covered under warranty(emissions). First trip to the shop they will clean the throttle body. The second trip they will replace the throttle body. Guess fuel injected was not such a great idea. My 2014 is doing the same thing. Last edited by Tbar; 08-11-2016 at 07:22 PM.

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08-10-2016, 06:00 PM	#2
Solocam00 Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Augustine Hunt In: Trees or brush	have you tried to adjust the throttle positioning sensor while its running? thats been the only issue with one of ours at the ranch.

08-10-2016, 06:35 PM	#3
RealTreeHunter Ten Point Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Giddings Hunt In: Hill Country & Lee County	We have 2 Mules and both do the exact same thing. It's like they idle really low when just sitting there and finally just peter out. They run just fine and crank up fine, but can't idle. It's to the point that whenever I come to a complete stop to do anything that takes over a minute, I just turn them off.

08-10-2016, 06:49 PM	#4
breese Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Burleson Hunt In: Oklahoma,Colorado,Arizona, New Mexico	Is it fuel injected or carb?

08-10-2016, 06:53 PM	#5
shark79 Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Cleburne Hunt In: Mills County	Mine did the same thing. Kawasaki dealer in Goldthewaite fixed it under warranty.

08-10-2016, 07:15 PM	#8
texasdeerhunter Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2008	Wish I could help, because ours did the same thing. I took it in to get serviced, and they fixed it, but I don't know what they did. Are you running the mid range octane gas in it? We have always ran the mid octane stuff in it, and I will add some fuel additive to it every now and then if I know it will be sitting for a while without use.

08-10-2016, 07:20 PM	#9
ByronB Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Clear Lake	My 610 is ten years old but has been running just fine. Last time out it ran good for an hour. After that it was all downhill. Every time I came to a stop it died. When I ran it at a regular speed no problems. Could the carburetor be clogged? Gas tank drained? Spark plug changed? Going to take it apart next time to the lease.

08-10-2016, 08:00 PM	#12
fbchunter Ten Point Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Thompsons Hunt In: Thompsons	My 2014 trans mule did the EXACT same thing. It was the throttle position sensor and was covered under warranty. Dropping mine off there was a guy picking one up just like it and his was a year older and was doing same thing and was covered under warranty, and it was the same fix. I think it wouldve been no more than 3-400$ without warranty but it has been a a year and a half so I may be a little off.

08-11-2016, 10:55 AM	#13
76aggie Ten Point Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Shady Shores, TX. Hunt In: Irion Co.	I have an older 610 as well. First off, I love it. Is cold natured but I can live with that. I have the opposite problem. Mine tends to idle too fast. ByronB talked about the loud clunk when going into gear and I believe that is because it is going into gear with the idle too fast. That could cause damage to transmission gears. I have a fix for that in that I just start the thing in gear as not to damage the transmission gears. You can start one in gear if you put your foot on the brake while starting it.

08-11-2016, 11:41 AM	#14
Big_gun Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Wallis Hunt In: Open for Suggestions	my 2005 Trans did that, took it to the shop and they greased the throttle cable, took the inner steel cable out and wiped and re greased.... i was expecting a $300 carb cleaning bill... cost me $40

08-11-2016, 02:35 PM	#15
Randy Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Centerville Hunt In: 20' up a tree in Leon County	We have this problem pretty often. Mostly likely the throttle body is dirty. You can take it off and clean it, or you can run a couple tanks of gas w seafoam or injector cleaner through it. Usually clears up after two tanks or so. I was told this is because of running crappy fuel. Mules like higher octane fuels.

08-11-2016, 03:15 PM	#16
Team Porkchop Ten Point Join Date: Feb 2009	I had the same problem and it turned out it needed a new spark plug. Now every year before hunting season I change all the oils, replace the fuel filter in the tank (Might want to look at that too), clean the air filters, and replace the spark plug.

08-11-2016, 06:03 PM	#17
Cuz Pope & Young Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Midlothian Hunt In: Central & West TX	I don't think there is a carb... Yes, we've been running good fuel on it for over a year now.

10-18-2017, 04:44 PM	#22
perow Pope & Young Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Garland Hunt In: Gordan, Moran	I have a 610 and have the same problem-I have just learned to deal with it but it would be nice to have fixed

10-18-2017, 09:46 PM	#24
fbchunter Ten Point Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Thompsons Hunt In: Thompsons	I posted in the original thread about my fuel injected 2014 but yalls issues sound exactly like mine. I limped it along for a while until it would hardly run. Tried seafoam and adjusted idle. It was the throttle position sensor and been running great ever since

10-18-2017, 09:51 PM	#25
ByronB Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Clear Lake	I took my 610 in to the Kawasaki Dealer in Fredricksburg. They did an outstanding job on it. It now runs fine. No more idle problems. They changed the battery, spark plug, cleaned the carburator, drained the gas, oil change, filter, and fuel filter for about $440. Mine is a 2006 model and I believe it has plenty of life still in it.