my 500 sportsman HO won't start with the key but will start with the pull cord. I just installed a new battery and new solenoid. the engine turns over with the key but won't fire. If I pull the cord it starts right up. I did just replace the rip cord because it broke off and the old knot was caught up in the starter drive causing the starter not to be able to turn. Did I hook up a wire wrong on the new start solenoid causing no spark when the starter turns?

thanks

 

This is an old post, maybe relevant?

2002 SCRAMBLER 500 4X4 WOULD NOT START WITH KEY, IT WOUKD TURN OVER BUT NOT FIRE, IT HAD SPARK, IT WOULD START FINE WITH PULL ROPE.
REMOVED RECOIL, FLYWHEEL AND SENSOR COIL. CLEANED SENSOR COIL, IT HAS TWO CIRCUITS, CLEANED DIRT AND FILINGS FROM IN BETWEEN TWO METAL STRIPS, ALSO ON NEWER MODELS THE SENSOR COIL IS ADJUSTABLE.
I FILED MOUNTING HOLES SO I COULD MOVE CLOSER TO FLYWHEEL.
ELECTRIC START NOW WORKS PERFECT.
HOPE THIS MAY HELP OTHERS FROM HAVING THE SAME FRUSTRATIONS I HAD.

 

hmmm maybe parts of that old knot are stuck in there. BUt that doesn't make sense as to why it will start right away with pull rope but not ignition. Oh well I'll pull the right side apart and take the recoil cover off and check behind the flywheel.

thanks

 

Mine did that,key would not start it but one pull did. I took off the recoil cover and it had dirt moisture in there . Turned out the pulse coil contact face was filthy and it,s flywheel contact point was rusty also, I cleaned up both and its been starting with the key ever since.

I guess because a pull from the pull start makes a faster rotation of the motor it can get a signal between the pulse coil and flywheel even if rusty or dirty,But the electric start turns the motor over two slow to get a big enough charge to get through the dirt and rust. That's my theory anyways.LOL

If the gap betteewn the pulse coil and flywheel may be to wide for the slow turning electric start,but the fast turning pull start can get things going. Clean up the contact faces of the coil and flywheel and close the gap up abit.