I have a new 05 Polaris Sportsman and Predator 90. After riding for a day in the cold the throttles began to stick while the kids were riding. When placed in neutral the throttle stuck about half open. I pulled the tether, hit the kills switch, AND turned off the keys. The machine kept running. This happened on separate occurences on BOTH machines. The dealer replaced the kill switches. Last weekend in 50 degree weather on grass (no mud ) the same thing happened. I don't know what to do. I can't have my kids riding ATVs when the thottle sticks and especially if they don't stop. Anyone else having this issue?

 

Never heard of a problem like that before. Sounds like two seperate problems though and each seem quite serious. The electrical problem I have no idea what could cause that. I would check the throttle cable closely and see that its not kinked anywhere and make sure theres no trash down by the oil pump that could keep the cable from returning to idle. Or better yet leave them at the dealers if their under a warranty and tell them to call you when they can garranty it won't happen again.

 

sounds like a ground problem...make dealer fix!!!

 

I'v never heard of anyone having that issue either.. thats definatly a safety issue.. take it back to the dealer, make him fix or replace....

 

I had a simular problem in cold weather with my son's Pred 90. It seems that when I removed screw that restricts the throttle, water has been getting into the housing, and down the tube that houses the brake cable. I'm guessing this happens when I wash them after riding.

When ever it got cold, it froze in the tube and gave me the exact problem you decribe.

 

I wonder if some cable lube would fix your problems

 

The first time it happened, I figured it was because I washed the mud off of them after we rode and the water froze. I became more concerned when it did it again this weekend when it was warm outside. thanks for the info. They are at the dealer now...

 

If 3 different systems to kill the motor didn't work, especially on seperate machines, I would think this to be a serious problem. I also think this will be a ground problem. Not sure but all 3 systems are probably wired is series and use the same ground. Make the dealer fix and test it thoroughly. I grill my son almost every time what to do if the throttle sticks or something to this nature happens. If it doesn't come natural in an emergency chances are they won't react soon enough or at all. As far as the throttle sticking to begin with if riding in high humidity or wet conditions you can get water droplets in the carb slide area that will freeze and hold it up. I know on my Arcitc Cat snowmachines this will happen in deep snow and certain conditions. They have a magnetic pickup in the carb slide and a switch on the throttle lever. If the lever is at idle and the pickup doesn't sense then it will kill the motor. Usually just have to wait a few minutes and droplets will thaw from engine heat and slide will come down, sometimes you can hear it. This same condition has stuck the throttle when working o.k. and later after sitting in freezing weather the throttle wouldn't work. Warmed up the carb and it worked again. This has happened on my 4-wheelers before when using in winter conditions. Check all control functions before starting. Didn't do this once when starting an old Bravo 250 snowmachine for my son. Started fine, idle great, standing next to it and gave it some gas and of it went. The look on my sons face was priceless as we both watched it go across the yard hit the house at an angle flip on its side, use the house as traction, go down the side of the house building speed, broke the handle bar, finished rolling up on the cowl and seat with track in the air, and coming to a stop as it slid into the corner of the house. So there it is upside down half throttle, and me looking for the kill switch. Anyway, I was just happy my little one wasn't on it, very dangerous situation.

 

If the throttle sticks, replace the cable. You might not be able to see a crimp, but on the inside it might have frayed cable or grit etc inside. You are right, no reason in the world to accept that. Make the dealer replace and hopefully they do NOT use vice grips to pull it through the frame.

I agree, the predator has ground issues. Something common I believe according to my expert sources.