I have a 2004.5 Sportsman 400 that I can't ride anymore because it won't stay running. It will run for about 5 seconds, and then out of nowhere, it just dies. If you try to restart it, it will just crank and crank but won't ever start again until you turn the key off and then back on. It is almost like turning the key off resets something and then it will start again. One time when it died, I took an extra spark plug that I had and checked to see if it had spark before turning the key off and it did not. Also, the battery light flashes at higher rpms. Any ideas?

 

did you check to see if your bike falls in the ecm recall? it might be that peske ecm issue that alot of people are having since it controls alot of differnt things on the bike.

 

The 04.5 400's were not on the list I saw. The 500's and bigger were on it, but not the 400.

 

I replaced one on a 04.5 400, started out acting similar to yours then got to where it wouldn't do anything, would not even light the speedo, it was not covered under the recall at the time but I've heard they have added to the recall.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Kerbbirds

I replaced one on a 04.5 400, started out acting similar to yours then got to where it wouldn't do anything, would not even light the speedo, it was not covered under the recall at the time but I've heard they have added to the recall.</end quote></div>

Do you remember how much the new ECM was? I was just curious what it was going to cost me if it wasn't covered by the recall.

 

guessing about $110. area. i would doubt check on the recall as they have expanded the list. there is a post on the ecm recall, go and look it up because harley posted a recall list from the polaris(the newest dealer one) to see if your bike would be on it.

 

I called the dealer and they said that this machine is not on the recall list. I am trying to find the part, but I am not sure what to get and I don't want to get the wrong thing. Is there a difference between an ECM and a CDI? I asked the dealer how much an ECM was and I think I heard him say something about a CDI and that it was $260. I just want to make sure I am getting the right part at the right price. Thanks in advance for the info.

 

Although it does sound like an ecm problem on my 2004.5 500 sportsman I broke down on the trail one day,it turns out there was a problem from the factory, They pinched the plug wire between the chassis and body. I understand there were a few of these perhaps It would be something to look into on your 400.........just a thought.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: miniexcavator

Although it does sound like an ecm problem on my 2004.5 500 sportsman I broke down on the trail one day,it turns out there was a problem from the factory, They pinched the plug wire between the chassis and body. I understand there were a few of these perhaps It would be something to look into on your 400.........just a thought.</end quote></div>

This happened to me a couple months after I got it, so it has been fixed already. I am almost positive that it isn't getting pinched again, because as soon as you turn the key off it is like it resets something and then it will start right up again. Thanks for the help though.

 

Anybody know of a website where I can look at a copy of a service manual for this bike? I want to be certain of what part I need before I get it. Thanks!!