2004 Polaris that got this HOT mesage this weekend on a ride. Immediately shut it down and let is sit OFF with the fan running. Two minutes later it seem to be cool eough and I ran the motor and NO light. It seems it warns you prior to dmage. I may have a dirty radiator?

 

we had a 2004.5 ATP 500 that would do this. removed the front cargo box and problem was solved. never overheated again.

 

Cargo Box where a winch would be installed?

 

no. in essence i guess it would be the front rack. that along with the winch were blocking air flow. had to use the winch about every 15 minutes cause that quad was so damn heavy so it got to stay on

 

Did you go thru MUD? When the radiator fins get plugged with dirt and mud it will get HOT and flash. Corners and
the back of it you need to spray down with garden hose. This is a common issue. Those sensor can be effected too.

R'

 

weedy - I had the same issue on my 2007, even though I had thoroughly cleaned the radiator from the front. Make sure you clean the backside of the radiator as well.

 

Excellent posts. I am guessing it is dirty. I have never taken off the guard screen and thouroughly cleaned the radiator. We did do some serious mudding on the trip before this one where the hot light flashed.

I do not think anything was damaged since my wife turned it off immediately and let it cool down for 5 minutes before riding again.

 

Careful when cleaning the radiator fins as they bend easy. Don't use a power sprayer, just a garden hose from front and back should do it.

 

Cleaned the radiator and it was dirty. It did spray out dirty water. You mentioned spraying from the back....did you remove the fan? I washed the heck out of it from the front until the water remained clear regardless of where I sprayed. I hope this solves the cooling issue.

 

you can put rag in front of the radiator when the fan is running to check and see if the rag hangs on. the rag should be unfolded and completely opened and placed on the radiator fins. when the fan turns on it should stay on from the vacuum maintaining it there. that is a great indication that your radiator fins are clean from debri/dirt.