Polaris 550 shift pull cord/key issue. Help!! - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Wisco85 · 12-21-2012, 04:40 PM

I took my sled out for a little ride yesterday around the yard. It started fine and there was no problems with it. I went out today but when I put the key in it wouldn't turn. It was just locked up and wouldn't move. I then tried to pull on the starter cord and there was no tension on it. It would come out and go back in but it wasn't engaging anything and just felt loose. What could this be!?

speedsled4 · 12-21-2012, 04:50 PM

Uh oh! I don't really know what the key prob could be other than it being frozen. But the rip cord assembly prob is a whole different issue I'm guessing. My guess is the rip cord assembly came loose from the mag and now its just spinning instead of catching. I'd remove the rip cord housing and see what's up. Best of luck!

Wisco85 · 12-21-2012, 04:58 PM

Yeah it was pretty wet yesterday so I think the keys probably just frozen. But if thats the case for the cord, how easy is it to fix?

speedsled4 · 12-21-2012, 05:20 PM

Easy thing to check so don't worry. Just follow the rip cord to the housing where it is spooled up. I don't know if there is anything you have to remove to get at it because I'm not real familiar with that model. There should be some nuts around it. Undo them, pull of the case, them look to make sure there's nothing majorly wrong with your spool. (Located on the inside if the ripcord assembly housing. Once you have done that, i would just hook it. Back up to re-ensure its hooking up and try and start it again. I know on my IQr its a pain to get at because you have to remove the canister and everything

**BC_Dan** · 12-21-2012, 05:23 PM

Inside the recoil housing, there are dogs and pawls that engage a basket that turns the engine. It's likely that those have frozen as well. Try a hair dryer on the recoil assembly for a bit to see if it frees up. If you can get it warm and dry, it probably won't be an issue.

TheFoxwasHere28 · 12-21-2012, 05:38 PM

Speedsled4 sounds like he knows what he's talking about. I also have an IQr and i know what he means. Just had to remove it today. Like he said, it shouldn't be a problem. But definitely. First and foremost i'd pull that ripcord assembly and see whats up, then go from their

Wisco85 · 12-21-2012, 05:57 PM

Thanks for the help guys. I'll take some time tomorrow to see what I can do with it

joshkidner · 12-21-2012, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC_Dan

Inside the recoil housing, there are dogs and pawls that engage a basket that turns the engine. It's likely that those have frozen as well. Try a hair dryer on the recoil assembly for a bit to see if it frees up. If you can get it warm and dry, it probably won't be an issue.

I have fixed the problem of this by melting the ice, drying it completly, and putting some powder graphite lubricant on it. It never slipped again. This was on an old aries snowblower. Its a similar case for a sled.

Sent from my YP-GS1 using Snowmobile.com App

Wisco85 · 12-23-2012, 03:48 PM

I put it in the garage and put some heat to it. The key will turn now and I got the rope to engage. But it doesn't retract back. Could it still be frozen a little and should I keep it on heat? Also now when I turn the electric start it seems that it doesn't engage the recoil (it isn't spinning)

Wisco85 · 12-23-2012, 04:48 PM

All is fixed now. Put some heat to the elec. starter and she spun and started!!

**BC_Dan** · 12-23-2012, 05:56 PM

That nasty water can be a pain, huh

Glad it was easy for you. Taking the recoil off is a royal pain on most sleds!

Wisco85 · 12-23-2012, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC_Dan

That nasty water can be a pain, huh

Glad it was easy for you. Taking the recoil off is a royal pain on most sleds!

Yeah water is really not fun when it gets in there! I'm just glad I didn't have to go taking things apart..thanks for the hair dryer idea, it got the job done

**BC_Dan** · 12-23-2012, 08:01 PM

With age comes experience... been there, did that