hello all, im going to buy the new 2005 ac 400 4x4 w/ locker auto and have a friend that has a 2004 400 4x4 and he has problems starting in cold weather he brought it to dealer 3 times and they cant seem to get it right so im nervous buying this atv knowing the problem hes having and if i might have the same problem...could anyone please help me know more about this and if i buy the machine and it ends up with this problem could i fix it somehow????...i also wanted to know ive read many of the stories and seem to realise many of the owners have are manual trannies vs the autos, is their a reason for this????..is the autos reliable vs the manual ?????i really love the machine i fell in love with the looks and the feel but dont really know if the cold starts are worth it or do most of the atvs have slight problems starting in the cold vs the ac...i would imagine that since the motor is a suzuki motor that any suzuki would have the same start up problems as the cat...this info is really going to help me understand if this atv is worth it to me so any help would be greatly helpfull thanks so much

 

First off the majority of starting problems are operator induced. When cold starting "KEEP Your Fat Thumb OFF the Throttle". The automatic choke system works fine, without help. If you help it won't start. I have had no cold start problems, unless stupid (me) can't keep his thumb off the throttle. When warm they need the little throttle to fire, cold no. So far haven't had to even prime it and temp has been down to 16 degrees. The owners manual explains all this but some think the manual is just toilet paper. Read the cold start proceedures and follow them, they really work.

 

I have found the same things as bear4570, and I use mine to -10 degrees, follow the cold start procedures in the book........... Prime 3 times, push the choke, and hit the start button, there is one other thing i have found to keep it running is turning the **** coming off the back of the carb for idle speed, I usually turn it up to a faster idle speed until the engine is warm.

 

yea, the easiest way to start my ac is to start it with no throttle and it works fine. if u give it gas, then u will never have any luck.

 

I have an 03 500 auto and it is alittle hard to start when it sits for a long period. I recommend that you have new gas, adjust the idle up just alittle, and hit the button. I have use the prime button and it has work great. I do have a problem with my gas switch. If it is in the ON positon the bike will stall but if I leave it on reserve, the bike stay running. I figure there is some trash in the valve and will clean it. I also found a small sliver of plastic that came off of the gas tank and clogged the gas valve up on my 400 auto. It was an easy fix. I really like the cat and recommend it! Don't let your friends atv keep you from owning one. All atvs are good and bad. I think the 400 auto with locker is a great way to go! Good luck!!

 

thanks guys i feel better with the cold start situation but what about those tranny questions on manual vs auto...it does seem to be that alot of you have the manual trans vs the auto is their a reason so many have chosen the manual...makes you wonder when wanting to purchase a auto if they hold up to the abuse of the manual...could you guys enlighten me on that subject....thanks for all the helpfull comments

 

I was gonna buy an auto 400, but got such a good deal on the manual I couldn't pass it up. Besides the 400 and 500 use the AC Duramatic trans (their own) that's pretty much bullet proof. I understand the 650H1 is also using the Duramatic tranny and not the Kawasaki one that's caused all the trouble with the 650V2. I personally think the manual is more flexible than an auto trans, but I have ridden several 400 autos and there was nothing wrong with them, just put it in gear and punch the throttle. No thinking about which gear to be in.

 

I had my dealer put a coolant heater in. I just plug my atv in for about an hour and it takes right off and idles perfect. It starts up like it is 70 out even though it's more around 0. It much easier on the motor too. And it only costs $100. I thought it was well worth it.

 

I own a 01 500 auto....love it, but right now it wont start (Check out my latest post if you think you can help ....."Help, my 01 wont start")) My dad has a 250 manual with a rocking shifter, no clutch......not bad but I like mine.

 

The auto choke is a great feature. When it is 20 or below give the primer a couple of pumps. As mentioned by others, if you give it any throttle during cranking is defeats the choke and will not fire. ( Last week it was -30 at Arctic Cat factory in MN. They know how to make them start in the cold.