How to Troubleshoot the Power Wheels Kawasaki KFX Part 1
Some people think it’s easy to troubleshoot battery operated four wheeler or ATV toys, but I beg to differ. Even though the mechanical setup in children’s ATVs isn’t as complex as those found in ATVs for adults, troubleshooting the former can be a very tricky affair. Don’t be fooled in thinking that it’s just a toy, so troubleshooting it would be a piece of cake. In the last 7 years or so, I’ve purchased more than a dozen four wheeler ATV for kids. Some were bought for my children, while others were given as presents to nieces, nephews and kids of close friends.
In my experience, only a handful of models are easy to troubleshoot, and one of those models is none other than the Power Wheels Kawasaki KFX featured below. I’m a big fan of this model because it has many positive attributes going for it such as decent durability, stylish, perfect speed settings for young kids, great safety features, easy to assemble and operate, and yes, very easy to troubleshoot!
In my experience, only a handful of models are easy to troubleshoot, and one of those models is none other than the Power Wheels Kawasaki KFX featured below. I’m a big fan of this model because it has many positive attributes going for it such as decent durability, stylish, perfect speed settings for young kids, great safety features, easy to assemble and operate, and yes, very easy to troubleshoot!
So if you bought a Power Wheels Kawasaki KFX ATV for your child and there seems to be a problem with it, then you’re in luck. In this post, I’ll help you identify the possible causes for a number of problems that this children’s ATV tend to face, and then I’ll let you know the possible solution for each cause. Okay, let’s begin guys!
Note: Remember this is only the first part of the series. I’ll post the second part as soon as I have the time. Thank you for your understanding.
Common Problem #1: The Power Wheels Kawasaki KFX ATV fails to start
What Could Cause the Problem?
Possible Cause #1: The battery may not be fully charged.
Solution #1: For first time use, it’s mandatory to charge the battery for a minimum of 18 hours. The next time your child operates his or her Power Wheels, after each use the minimum recharging period is 14 hours. Failure to follow the said recharging hours may result in battery being undercharged, thus preventing the vehicle from starting up.
Solution #2: Make sure all the connectors are plugged in when charging the vehicle’s 12-volt battery. First, you want to ensure the connector located on the charger itself is securely plugged into the battery. Also, ensure the charger is actually plugged into your home’s wall electrical outlet.
Possible Cause #2: The vehicles thermal fuse was tripped. There’s a thermal fuse built into the Power Wheels Kawasaki KFX and it may have been tripped resulting in the toy vehicle being totally non-operational. The reason for the “trip” is often due to the vehicle carrying a weight load that’s beyond its capacity, which is 65 pounds only by the way. That’s the most common cause. Another reason for the thermal fuse trip could be due to harsh driving conditions.
Solution: Do not overload the vehicle. Do not use the vehicle to tow objects. It is designed to carry only the rider who weighs no more than 65 pounds. Also, do not drive the vehicle over harsh terrains. If you child happens to trip the thermal fuse, tell him or her not keep on pressing the pedal. Take foot off the pedal and just wait very briefly. Try to operate the vehicle again after 30 seconds.
Possible Cause #3: Loose connectors within the battery compartment.
Solution: Open the vehicles seat and inspect the battery compartment. Make sure the battery and the motor connector are plugged into one another.
Common Problem #2: Vehicles runs for only a short period of time (under 2 hours) even after battery has received full recharge.
Possible Cause #1: The battery may not be fully charged.
Solution: Please refer to “Possible Cause #1”, under “Common Problem #1”, for solutions.
Possible Cause #2: The battery may have been overcharged. Usually happens when the battery is charged for more than 30 hours multiple times.
Solution: Battery needs to be tested by a qualified electrician. It may have been ruined by multiple overcharging so either contact the customer service, or buy a new battery and remember not to overcharge it.
Possible Cause #3: Battery unable to be fully charged because it’s already quite old (around 3 to 4 years old).
Solution: The 12-volt battery for the Kawasaki KFX Power Wheels is pretty decent in quality. That being said, no matter how good the quality of a rechargeable battery, eventually, its performance will plunge after being constantly used and recharged over a period of years. On average, it could last up to 3 or 4 years. So the only solution here is to replace the old rechargeable battery with a new one.
Common Problem #3: Vehicles moves way too slowly.
Possible Cause #1: The battery may not be fully charged.
Solution: Also please refer to “Possible Cause #1”, under “Common Problem #1” for the appropriate solutions.
Possible Cause #2: Battery wasn’t charged after previous usage.
Solution: Always, always, always recharge the battery after each use. It doesn’t matter if your child operates the vehicle for half an hour or merely 15 minutes, the battery must receive another 14-hour minimum recharging period.
Possible Cause #3: Old battery that can’t take in a full charge.
Solution: See “Possible Cause #3” under “Common Problem #2” for the necessary solution.
Possible Cause #4: The vehicle is carrying weight that’s over the limit.
Solution: Check the solution for “Possible Cause #2” under “Common Problem #1”.
To be continued in part 2. Please be patient dear readers as I’m currently swamped with work. As soon as I’ve completed the second part, I’ll post an update with a link. And then you can just head over to the page and check out the second part. Once again, thanks for your understanding.
Note: Remember this is only the first part of the series. I’ll post the second part as soon as I have the time. Thank you for your understanding.
Common Problem #1: The Power Wheels Kawasaki KFX ATV fails to start
What Could Cause the Problem?
Possible Cause #1: The battery may not be fully charged.
Solution #1: For first time use, it’s mandatory to charge the battery for a minimum of 18 hours. The next time your child operates his or her Power Wheels, after each use the minimum recharging period is 14 hours. Failure to follow the said recharging hours may result in battery being undercharged, thus preventing the vehicle from starting up.
Solution #2: Make sure all the connectors are plugged in when charging the vehicle’s 12-volt battery. First, you want to ensure the connector located on the charger itself is securely plugged into the battery. Also, ensure the charger is actually plugged into your home’s wall electrical outlet.
Possible Cause #2: The vehicles thermal fuse was tripped. There’s a thermal fuse built into the Power Wheels Kawasaki KFX and it may have been tripped resulting in the toy vehicle being totally non-operational. The reason for the “trip” is often due to the vehicle carrying a weight load that’s beyond its capacity, which is 65 pounds only by the way. That’s the most common cause. Another reason for the thermal fuse trip could be due to harsh driving conditions.
Solution: Do not overload the vehicle. Do not use the vehicle to tow objects. It is designed to carry only the rider who weighs no more than 65 pounds. Also, do not drive the vehicle over harsh terrains. If you child happens to trip the thermal fuse, tell him or her not keep on pressing the pedal. Take foot off the pedal and just wait very briefly. Try to operate the vehicle again after 30 seconds.
Possible Cause #3: Loose connectors within the battery compartment.
Solution: Open the vehicles seat and inspect the battery compartment. Make sure the battery and the motor connector are plugged into one another.
Common Problem #2: Vehicles runs for only a short period of time (under 2 hours) even after battery has received full recharge.
Possible Cause #1: The battery may not be fully charged.
Solution: Please refer to “Possible Cause #1”, under “Common Problem #1”, for solutions.
Possible Cause #2: The battery may have been overcharged. Usually happens when the battery is charged for more than 30 hours multiple times.
Solution: Battery needs to be tested by a qualified electrician. It may have been ruined by multiple overcharging so either contact the customer service, or buy a new battery and remember not to overcharge it.
Possible Cause #3: Battery unable to be fully charged because it’s already quite old (around 3 to 4 years old).
Solution: The 12-volt battery for the Kawasaki KFX Power Wheels is pretty decent in quality. That being said, no matter how good the quality of a rechargeable battery, eventually, its performance will plunge after being constantly used and recharged over a period of years. On average, it could last up to 3 or 4 years. So the only solution here is to replace the old rechargeable battery with a new one.
Common Problem #3: Vehicles moves way too slowly.
Possible Cause #1: The battery may not be fully charged.
Solution: Also please refer to “Possible Cause #1”, under “Common Problem #1” for the appropriate solutions.
Possible Cause #2: Battery wasn’t charged after previous usage.
Solution: Always, always, always recharge the battery after each use. It doesn’t matter if your child operates the vehicle for half an hour or merely 15 minutes, the battery must receive another 14-hour minimum recharging period.
Possible Cause #3: Old battery that can’t take in a full charge.
Solution: See “Possible Cause #3” under “Common Problem #2” for the necessary solution.
Possible Cause #4: The vehicle is carrying weight that’s over the limit.
Solution: Check the solution for “Possible Cause #2” under “Common Problem #1”.
To be continued in part 2. Please be patient dear readers as I’m currently swamped with work. As soon as I’ve completed the second part, I’ll post an update with a link. And then you can just head over to the page and check out the second part. Once again, thanks for your understanding.