I am having a hard time starting my SP500 HO in cold weather (30 – 35 degrees F). Is there a trick to starting a SP500 HO versus a regular SP500 in the cold? My ’96 SP500 starts great but my ’02 500HO is very cold natured!! When it does start, it has to idle, at full choke, for about 10 – 15 min before you can even touch the throttle. Once you put it in gear, it tries to die!! You then have to feather the throttle, just to keep it alive.

Would changing to a hotter spark plug help it start in the cold weather?
If so, what kind of plug should I get?
If not, what else is there, besides rejetting?
All info on this is greatly appreciated.
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Does anybody have a suggestion?

 

My,2002 H.O. was the same way about warming up I adjusted the idle up and re-adjusted the free play in the E.T.C switch semed to help a bunch.It is still cold natured,but now it idle's with the choke on without going dead I still have to allow 8-10 min to let it warm up before riding

 

samclow,
Thanks for the info.
I'll try adjusting the idle up a little.

 

hhhhhmmmmm, thats funny our 400 and my bros HO both run good and always start good till about 0 out. I started up the 400 yesterday and it was -10 below out. I had to give it gas and use the throddle to keep it going but it ran. Our Arctic Cat is a bear to start when its cold out, so far I havent started it when its cold out like 10(above) or less. We also tried putting in the next hotter plug I dont think it did much or anything. I would try the ideal screw, first.

 

May not help, but with my 500 h.o. I start it with the choke all the way out and it will start pretty much imediately. I let it run full choke for about 10 seconds and it starts to run a little rough like it starting to load up a bit. Then I push the choke in to about 1/2 to 1/3 for about a 1/2 a minute or so and its starts to run rough again and acts like it may die. I push the choke in all the way and hold the throttle open just enough to keep the engine running smoothly without reving up a cold engine. I hold the throttle for about 15 to 30 seconds and it idles fine after that. I just let it finish warming up and ride on. May not help any but I though I might add my last cent.

 

Have you tried to richen the idle mixture yet?

 

I am having the same problem with my 02' 500 H.O.
Usually takes 8 - 10 minutes to warm up.
Start it with full choke then about half open after it starts.