I got out today for a brief ride, 5 degrees above, and rode maybe 1/2 mile and got off my bike to walk for a minute. I let the bike idle(running fine at this point) and when I came back to the bike, got on and gave it gas , the bike died. I tried the electric start, but it wouldn't turn it over. I tried the pull start and I cold barely pull it a half pull, it was very hard. That is not like polaris pull starts, usually very easy. The bike will not turn over much less start. I don't have a clue what happened. Had to be towed back to the truck.

I keep the bike in a heated garage and thought possibly that moisture froze the starter or pull start somehow, but after having the bike in the garage to thaw so to say, it still will not turn over. The pull start is extremely hard sometimes and sometimes it is real easy. All my fluids are fine and the bike only has 300 miles on it.

Would it have a compression release cable that may have broken possibly?

Can any of you offer a clue? Any help would be appreciated.

 

The decompression is automatic, could be the problem? It is also possible your head gasket sprung a leak. Pull your spark plug and check it. With the plug removed push the electric starter to see if anything comes out of the plug hole. Let un know.

 

Might be a bad cam or valve.

 

Thanks guys, I pulled the plug this morning. There was nothing on it except carbon. Didn't smell any anti-freeze. I tried the electric and the pull start again and it made no change. The bike is real hard to turn over. The battery has plenty of juice and it can turn it maybe once. When I try to pull start it is very hard, but it sounds like I am turning a couple of times. It takes both hands full strength to pull the pull start, to barely turn it over. When I pulled it, it didn't sound like anything abnormal from the cylinder. It feels like it is seized.

 

Take the belt cover off and see if any mice have tried to make a home in it.

 

Cold Air = More Dense = Lean = ?

I'm just guessing since I don't know what your normal operating temp is and how you have it jetted. Just another thought for you to consider.....as bad as the outcome may be.

 

The chronology might not be right but have you checked the starter itself? Perhaps the solenoid engaged and froze that way so the reason you are having such a hard time turning it over is because of the added force of the engagement. Long shot I suppose but maybe worth a looksie?

 

Try spinning it over, with out the spark plug installed. But make sure the plug is in the wire , and the plug is grounded to the motor.Should be much easier, if so, you may have a compression release problem. If not have you checked your oil? oil lines? could it have been starved for oil?

 

Thank you to all who have answered. My quest is continuing.

I took the belt cover off hoping that it was possibly a stuck belt, no such luck. I am able to spin the motor by turning the clutch, and it sounds like valves are opening ok and it feels like it has reasonable compression. The pull start turned over just as hard with the plug out as in.

TreeDoc, I also thought about the starter being engaged all of the time, but I can hear the solenoid kicking in and out.

hondabuster, I have been thinking that it was a compression release problem, but I didn't know how to check it. I will try that one when I get home tonight. I also checked the anti-freeze level in the radiator-ok, oil level ok, I don't know what else to try.

 

some info that might help according to polaris they say it is a bad idea to idle the 500 for extended periods of time as oil flow is poor. It said that right in my 03 scrambler owners manual. (kind of a crock of SH!@ if you ask me) I wonder if possibly oil pressure was low and the cam or crank siezed...im not sure if they use pressure lube on the crank...I know they do on the head...before tearing into this thing.... check the stupid stuff first...take the belt cover off and make sure you dont have a clutch problem (belt binding up)..sounds like you already pulled the plug...If you unfortuaneatly dont find something simple then probably plan on tearing into the engine..Id start with valve cover first..take it off do a visual inspection, loosen up the valve lash adustments screw and see if its still hard to turn over...if so..probably have to do a tear down and see whats up...PS when you get the thing running again...a little trick if your gonna idle it for a while...turn the idle screw up a little..its pretty easy to reach from the left hand side of the atv. Good Luck...