Problem with my 500????

[Rubberdown]

I had the machine running great all week moose hunting, except for a frozen throttle one morning. So I load it up on the trailer and drive 4 hours and drop off a buddy, at this time I pull my machine off the trailer and take his off and put mine back on and drive another 4 hours home (long friggin day). I pull up to the house and when I turn the key, a spark flashes from the battery and solinoid area and it will not turn over???? It still has full power and it makes a slight click sound when I turn the key but thats it. I tried to pull start it but it WILL NOT PULL OVER at all. My friend thinks its possibly the starter gear is stuck out and that is causing it to not pull over and also what might have caused the spark if it did get stuck when engaging??? It was dark and I just wanted to unload the truck and push the heavy bastard into the garage so I didnt bother to even look for where the spark came from.

Any ideas what it could be? Think my friend might be on to something???

thanks.

[bmdjmd]

do you shut off your gas when you travel? if not is it possible its hydrolocked and causing it not to turn over?? as for the spark i think thats a short, had it happen on my grizz before.

[Rubberdown]

No, I never shut off the fuel, how do you cure a hydrolock issue? Just pull the plug or what?

[bmdjmd]

yeah pull the plug and then turn the engine over by hand, i always shut my fuel off, for just this reason. sounds silly i know but the vacuum created when atvs are trailered will just fill that cylinder full.

[Rubberdown]

Thanks buddy, ya it was full of fuel in the cylinder. It will pull over now with the plug back in it no problem, but it dosent start. I am pretty sure I fried that little solinoid next to the battery trying to turn it over. Does anyone know if it will still start by pulling it over if that solinoid is shot? I can pull the one off the wifes machine, but if its not needed I'd rather not, its a pain in the ass in my tiny little garage to work on these things at all :(
Any other suggestions as to why it has power, but I cant get it started by pulling it over? Is it possibly flooded??? I dont have a clue, this is all new to me with this hydrolocking bullshit????

[bmdjmd]

sounds like there isnt any power getting thru the solenoid to power the ignition. have you tried jumping the solenoid to see if it will crank over that way?

[Rubberdown]

No, not yet, I just talked to the other Brian I know and he says its probably flooded and to check for a spark on my current plug when I pull it over, thinks I might need a new plug as you mentioned as well. Also said to check the air box for fuel, as well as the filter in there....

[GOTTOYS]

I would also change the oil. It's probable it also has fuel in the crankcase. At least check the oil level and smell it to see if it is contaminated with fuel. Good luck.....GOTT

[Rubberdown]

Thanks GOTTOYS, that too was also mentioned and I will be changing it, but do you think it would hurt it to at least try and get it running first and then change the oil?

Its a brand new oil filter as well, could I just drain it and put it back on or rinse it out with clean oil and put it back on or should I put on another new one?

[Rubberdown]

Well I got it started pulling it over. The oil level is definatly up so I will change the oil tonight after deer hunting.

Can I rinse out the oil filter and re-use it though???

Guess I will need a new solinoid for the starter, didnt someone have a part # for a knock off solinoid for cheap?

[bmdjmd]

glad to hear ya got it running, funny you ask about a cheap alternative to the OEM solenoid my buddy Joey has them, cost me 15 bucks instead of 50 for the one i have.

i wouldnt reuse the filter you can afford a replacement one, there only 10 bucks or so, a motor job could be what 1500

[Rubberdown]

Ya, your right about the filter, i have a new one here (a black one), but I just put the $20 chrome one on 2 rides ago :(

[GOTTOYS]

Glad ya got it running again. Hope it didn't run too long with that bad oil in it. Change the filter for sure. Lots cheaper than new engine. Common problem here when vehicles get flooded and don't start in winter. Oil gets contaminated with gas that goes by the piston rings and the oil looses it's viscosity. Can't get any compression because oil isn't coating cylinders anymore. Have seen it explode in crankcase and blow off breathers....GOTT

[Rubberdown]

Thanks for the help guys, shes all changed up, from the crank case up and new filter so shes good to go. I do need to still change that starter solinoid though :(

[GOTTOYS]

Glad you got it going again. Dang!! now I gotta remember to start turning mine off everytime. LOL.....GOTT

[SCRAMMYTODD]

If you have snorkels, be sure to stuff a rag in your intake. when you go down the highway the wind will push the air thru the intake and into the carb and then you'll have enough fuel to hydrolock like RD has found out. Just a little tid bit for yas.

[Riven]

I never turn my fuel off.
I guess i had better start if i ever want to remember to when my snorkels are done. I dont want to be reminded the hard way.

[SCRAMMYTODD]

It can happen without snorkels as well, or if your float sticks for whatever reason. If your float sticks with the fuel on it could siphon the entire tank dry on ya.

[Rubberdown]

Thanks SCRAMMY, I have a down spout on my current air box snok but I will put a cap on it next time if I dont get those re-routed before I have to trailer it again.

[PolBug]

I got a universal FORD solenoid at Canadian Tire for $15. It bolts right into place. The terminals are not at the same place than the Polaris solenoid, but the cables are long enough to reach. Has been working great for over 2 years now. Beats the $85 Polaris solenoid.

[Rubberdown]

Thanks Polbug, I'll take mine off and bring it down to Crappy tire and see what they got in the way of a universal ford part for me.