just got a 97 sportsman 400. got fuel got spark, turns over fine with electric starter but will not start. I read a thread about a pulse coil located behind the recoil.....? this thing still looks brand new with a 1000 miles on it. how can you have spark and fuel with no fire...? any suggestions???

 

Did you try and start it with the rope. Maybe it just not spinning fast enough.

 

Broke Down, sounds like you and I are in the same spot. What have you done so far to try and fix your issue?

 

so far ive only checked fuel and spark. I did NOT ground the plug when I ckecked for spark. I'll do it today. I'll also repace the plug with a new one for the hell of it. Polaris dealer is right around the corner. I'm planing to stop by for some info.... I hope. One guy said some thing about a coil and said it wouldnt fire with the electric start but it should fire from using the pull start. Idont know my pull starts been taken apart maybe this will help someone else.

 

another thing that it could be is your spark plug boot. sometimes they go bad.

Devin

 

I got it fellas. Icant believe it... I'm almost embarrased. Lesson learned, Even if a spark plug sparks it DOES NOT mean its good. Replaced it with a new NGK BR8ES gapped to 28 thousands. It fired right up. FYI Polaris tech says compression should be 90-95lbs psi.

 

For future reference... you can have both fuel and spark w/out firing... the 3rd requirement is compression. Glad to see you got it... that third element can be rather expensive.

 

a 97 400 is a 2 stroke right? if so that 90-95PSI compression is wrong. motor will hardly run if at all. normally when compression gets to 100psi its time to bore the top end. a brand new topend should be around 115 to 120psi. just fyi.

and if that 400 is a 4 stroke then i cant remember the numbers off the top of my head.