Hey everyone,
I'm new to this site and your help would be appriciated. I have an 02 sportsman 500ho, that starts only with the pull rope. When the key is turned on and the enguine is not running there is no power of any kind to speedo, lights, starter etc. Once the engine is running I have full power to everything including the starter (it will turn over if you turn the key). I checked the battery post connections and also the celinoid connections, they look fine. Is it the key that is the problem? Please help!!

 

Sounds like the key switch is getting bad, I have to wiggle my key to get the ATV to stop.

If the motor turns over with the electric start but does not start,but starts with the pull rope,that means your pulse coil next to the flywheel is dirty and needs cleaning,maybe re gaped also. Dirt and crap gets down the recoil rope hole.

 

The motor will only turn over with the key if it is running, when it is not running it is completely dead until I pull rope start it.
The pull rope recoil is sticky, so I would think there is crap in there.
So just take the cover off the recoil and clean it real well and regap the pulse coil to 4-5mm?

 

welcome to the forum. so if you turn the key to the on but can't get any power to anything? are you sure there is 100% battery charge and that all connections form the battery up through the switch is good? try turning the key on and jumping the solenid to see if it turns over the starter. if not then there isn't any battery power.