Starting Problems!

[Scupper]

While the fog started to roll in out on Mille Lacs Saturday night we started to wrap up our days fishing journey.
I hit the switch on the 2001 polaris sportsman 500 and all I got was CLICK.
2 more attempts with the same results.
Tried the headlights. Plenty of power.
Went for the pull rope, arm is still sore.
After wrestling with the pull start several times , I went back to the starter switch and it started. Battery and all connections are in good shape. This rig has 150 easy miles on it. Any thoughts?
Also, is there a decompression button?
Thanks.
Good Luck

[Guest]

Scupper,

I have a 2001 Magnum 500, the same four stroke engine as yours, I know what you mean about sore arms. Try this next time when you first try to pull it over, if it is real stiff give it a half pull to move the crank down. Then let your rope back in and give it a pull, that is the only way to let off all the compression. As for your starter problem, your starter may have been locked up or shorting, not sure but if you have power everywhere else that is where I would look. Check the connections to it too.

[Scupper]

Keeter,
Thanks for the tip on the pull rope.
It was like being in a tug of war with a pitbull. I took the battery out and had it checked. No detectable problem with it. All connections are in good shape.
Hope it was just a little electrical gremlin.
Again, thanks for the advise.

[Fishbitten]

Scupper I have a Suzuki but it fail to start electricly also I pulled it by hand as you said til [PoorWordUsage]ed tried the electric start poof it was running. I feel the starter must have stopped on the armiture at a one in a million spot. My guess is in both our case if we would have turned it over once with the rope and went back to the starter we would have been on our way.P.S. my bike only did this once in 111/2 years so I couldn't test my own thereoy

[Scupper]

Now I feel better. Not good, but better.
Someone else with the same problem.
I will now open myself up for a lesson on the Components of the starter.
Fishbitten, you mentioned the armiture.
Although I have heard this term many times, I don't know what it is or what it does.
If you or one of the other FMers would care to give me an easy to understand explanation I would be humbled but grateful for the lesson.
Now go easy guys. I'm ready for my lesson.
Thanks.

[Walleye_Guy]

sounds like you need a arctic cat four wheeler lol

[Scupper]

Walleye_guy,
Thanks for the inspiration by mentioning "ARTIC CAT". You inspired me to do a little research on armature which I failed to find any correlation with Artic Cat. I did however find that applying iron or steel to the poles of an electromagnet will indeed communicate mechanical force, thus in the proper application cause a rotating action.
By the way, I had narrowed my choice of ATV to Artic Cat Or Polaris. The test riding is what sold me. To each his own...
Thanks again
Good Luck...

[bae501]

I am having a similar problem with my 98 xplorer 400. Pull starting works.But it has a brand new battery and starter was rebuilt just before I bought it from a buddy. By the way how did you do on Mille Lacs?

[Scupper]

bae501,
We were out on the Sliver flat. According to the GPS we were 5.80 miles from our starting point. We caught 6 over slot, 3 under and 2 keepers. Kept 8 perch all at 10". It was alot better than we had been doing. There were rough areas to contend with.
Needless to say, it was a helpless feeling when the starter sputtered. Thanks for sharing the info about your machine.
Good Luck...

[#Boater#]

I've got a Honda Foreman and used to have a Yamaha and never had any problems. All I see on here is people having problems with thier Polaris and Cats. When I look in the paper all you see is Polaris and Cats for sale. Not trying to a smart #$$ but can't understand why people keep blowing money on stuff that does not last.

[perchpro]

well put

honda all the way!

[Ely Lake Expert]

I would definately have to agree with boater. People love their polaris and cats, but you hear about a different problem every other day. Here is a solution, BUY A YAMAHA.

Ely lake expert

[Scupper]

Geeeeez.
I had a starter problem question. Not a what atv should I purchase question. To those who offered help I thank. To those who offer opinions after the fact, well I'll just bite my tounge.
Good Luck..., I think

[knoppers]

scupper, polaris atv's have always been know for there starter problems, especially when they get submerged. most people forget to drail the water out after use, thus wreaking havoc on the internal components. the reasons givin for the hondas and yamahas, are they don't have any of the polaris starter problems. I had a polaris, now I have a yamaha, the starter on the polaris was a headacke and the yami works everytime, you do the math.

[RePete]

My trail riding experience tells me that I've come across more stuck Honda's and Yamaha's than anything else (and not because of aggresive riding...IMO). Once again my Sportsman had to pull them out, then show them how to properly handle obstacles/mud.

I've never had problems with the starters on either of our 01 500 H.O.s, but I've done the clutch on one, and belts on both of them.

[Scupper]

RePete,
We have replaced the clutch and belt on my sons rig as well. Being 21, he is a much more aggressive rider than I. He has logged over 1000 hard miles compared to my 150 non-trail,easy miles. I use mine for Ice fishing.
As for helping out fellow ATVers, I have hooked on to the other Minnesota produced machine and I have also hooked on to one of the fine Japanese models. I'm confident that if I needed help they would return the deed.
Thanks for sharing your technical information. As far as my starter, I have not had any reoccurrence. I will keep my fingers crossed.
Good Luck...