My GP500 equipped cannibal requires light throttle for a cold start and for the first minute or so. I turn the key, wait til fuel pump quits and hit start with throttle applied. It doesn't get that cold here though. If it doesn't start immediately, then i turn off key and repeat. Always start in neutral. Sometimes it's a bit tricky but you'll find what works. I never crank more than 3 seconds.

 

do you have to start in neutral? or is it just recommended?

 

Mine will start in gear but it seems to start easier in neutral. BTW, mine is a pain in the *** to get into neutral with it running, my FX400 was the same way.

 

I have the GP500 computer. The stop button seems to prime the fuel injection and allows for easier starting. If you have the GP1000 then you should not have the reverse Torx screws. I have the GP500 and it has the newer Metric bolts as they changed them starting with early 02 models

 

Mine will start in neutral when warm, but is more likely the starter will 'hang up' or make some ugly sound. I don't have any problem finding neutral. Brian, is your clutch actuating arm in the proper, '12:00 position? I had to adjust mine immediately and it shifts very clean now.

Trout, I hope the engine sound grows on you. Frankly, I still find it annoying. Particularly when stopping to talk for a second. I always have to shut it off to hear while bud's engines quietly go about idling. Maybe i'm just paying the price for all that heavy metal in the '80's [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] Still, it's worth the racket for that heart pounding acceleration!

 

with ya on the heavy metal in the eighties, im going to a different track this next weekend, I cant wait, your right the acceleration is intense. UNless its freaking freezing, I might go skiing, gosh its hard to live in Colorado, soooo much to do on the weekends!

 

I haven't checked my clutch actuating arm position but now that you mentioned that you had to adjust yours, I will look into that.
Thanks!!

 

my cannibal starts first time almost every time.

 

guys im an idiot,
I went home and put the charger on the battery for 30 minutes at 10amps and then that sucker started right up. it was 11 degrees yesterday too, so it had to be the battery. Thanks sparkyEX, I should have checked it earlier, but it turned over, but with a fresh battery it turned over alot faster.

 

Take a look at your owners manual, mine on page 58, it states if the battery is not fully charged, the voltage can drop during engine turn over - resulting in the EMS power relay disengaging. Not saying that is what is happening to you but it's apparent you can have starting problems if the battery is not fully charged. Glad you found the problem!!