My 2005 Sportsman 500 (200 miles- really a clean machine) won't accelerate. It'll idle but cuts out when I try to accelerate. It has been sitting in my garage for 6 months and I haven't run it until now.

Gas is clean and flows freely to inlet side of fuel pump.

Also, the battery is won't start the rig (the battery has a little power but not enough to crank it) - I have to use the pull starter- which works perfectly.

Any ideas?

 

could have something to do with the throttle cable free play should have 1/16 of slack.

There are two contact points in the throttle control body. It has a safety device in it so when the throttle cable sticks the contacts close and it cuts power and shuts off when you release throttle.

 

EFI or Carb, Charge the battery up first.

 

My wife has that model and it's EFI.

I agree, make certain the battery is fully charged before doing anything else. Low battery voltage could be messing with the electronics, which on an EFI machine control everything!

 

Sorry fellas, it's a 2005 with a carb.

 

would also clean the carb and make sure all the air and fuel passages are clean and fuel is coming out of the carb needle and seat.

 

Ok.....I'll tell you a little about myself- the sad commentary of my life is "dead batteries". Well, without a charged battery on the sportsman it will not accelerate. With a really weak battery you can get it to idle but not accelerate.

I put the charger on the battery terminals while the battery was connected to the rig and I could pull start it and accelerate with no problem....naturally, while not in gear.

Thanks for the suggestions, men.

 

yep these newer bikes have to have a good 12.5 volt charge it seems to make them run correctly. check your voltage output when its running and shut off. it should be at least 12.5 off and a good high 13 volt when idled around 3,000 w/ a charged battery. imo.

 

I just let the rig sit too long. Last year I think I put 1/10 of a mile on it.