[SMiller]

Ranger has been outside in 15mph wind for 4hrs, was -7* windchill and I started it for the fun of it, was a slow cranker but fired and ran fine on the 4th revolution, going to continue to leave it outside overnight, will be interesting to see if it starts in the morning, 20mph wind with -20* windchill!

 

[ronster_12]

let us know, I dont think its a problem with all of them but there is a problem with some of them!

 

[TD-Max]

Mine seemed to want an overnight or at least a longer period before it acted up. Once started in the am it would go no problem hours later.

I wonder if it's possible that we have an air/drainback issue and the pump doesn't have anywhere to push the air? I didn't see if we actually had a return line on this system.

 

[SMiller]

No it is ecm programming issues.


I left ranger out overnight, it started after cranking long time only to die 3 times, clearly not enough of a choke mode. Stupid Polaris makes this POS that we can't even trust to start or run.

Needs the throttle plate shut more to limit the air and much more fuel/timing to warm up!!!

 

[TD-Max]

So I guess one test depending on what they use to "adjust" to temp would be to unplug the ECT sensor (if there is one) which should tell the machine that it's -38°f-ish. At least that's what we have done with the GM diesel trucks as a quick check to get extended glow time.

 

[Boomer686]

I've been watching this thread with interest as I live in a cold climate (it's been -45 to -60 these last 2 weeks now and more still to come) and will be taking delivery of an 900XP soon. From what I have read so far I tend to believe it is also most likely an ECM / programming issue but out of curiosity.... does anyone run a blockheater and if so are they still experincing the no start / hard start condition in the cold?

As a side note....Windchill has nothing to do with the temp your UTV expriences when parked for the night. It is no longer producing heat ( the engine is off) so the machine will only get as cold as the ambient air temp and not as cold as the windchill temp. Windchill only affects sources of heat for example -10 with a windhil of -30 means your body reacts / looses body heat at a rate the same as if the ambient outside temp was -30 with no wind. A tree in the same weather of -10 air temp with a windchill of -30 will only read a core temp of -10 as it does not produce any heat.

The only way wind affects the utv's is the same way it affects our snowmobiles: if running a block heater it may not warm the coolant as warm as if there was no / less wind (the wind cools it IE: windchill factor) and hard winds drive blowing snow into places it doesn't belong.. on the drive belt or in the engine intake etc.

 

[travellerwiz]

Boomer.... I don't think Polaris makes a block heater for this unit (at least I couldn't find one).

I eventually plan to attach a small oil pan heater to the engine somewhere, just haven't got around to it. It will be interesting to see what it does.

One further thing to this issue that I been reluctant to add to the conversation. We have a local dealer here that stores their units outside all week. They move them into a secured shop of Friday nights as they are closed for the weekend. I asked them if they are experiencing the issue and the salesmen told me "No". He said they always start.

I've been reluctant to throw this out there as the salesmen might have been dishonest.. Possible he just didn't want to make the units look bad.

 

[Sawyer II]

Travis, back in the 60's they used to have dipstick heaters........maybe still do. Does the 900 have a dipstick?

 

[Newt]

Yes, they have a dip stick that might be something to look into, but so far mine has not had any problems starting. Might not be cold enogh here yet its only been as cold as 9 degrees and stays about 15 or 20 not to bad yet.

 

[Sawyer II]

I am hoping mine will also be trouble free. -18* this morning, wish it was here so I could try. The Tractor gelled last night, need something other than the wheelbarrow to move firewood!

 

[ronster_12]

still issues with mine, The dealer put a new comp in it and it wouldnt start this morning. The tech is getting very frustrated with polaris cause they dont have a clue. They want him to change the crank trigger now but they have none available, go figure!!.

 

[SMiller]

At this point if a company made a tuner for the 900 it would sell like crazy as they could write a tune that actually made a Ranger start and run while cold as well as free up some power!

 

[TD-Max]

I called my selling dealer to start a case, but I'm not taking it in until there is a fix.

 

[ronster_12]

I just hope they get a fix found soon, its gonna start getting warmer here soon, and I sure dont want to find out next year when the warranty is up that it didnt work. I think i might look into the extened warranty on this one!

 

[TD-Max]

I just hope they get a fix found soon, its gonna start getting warmer here soon, and I sure dont want to find out next year when the warranty is up that it didnt work. I think i might look into the extened warranty on this one!

I'm considering the warranty as well, but doubt I'll need it.

On the issue warranty and the cold start I'd just make the dealer verify with Polaris that they'll extend the coverage for this particular issue. Get it in writing on a repair order.

 

[ronster_12]

I talked to the dealership today, They have finally came to a problem for the no start, and a few other issues i have been having. It seems that the speed sensor was throwing bad info, with the engine off and the key on it was showing that the machine was going 24 mph. So the computer showed that it was running and moving and leaned the computer way down. This would also explain why i would have issues with it running different at certain times. So they dont have any on hand but there should be some available the 20th of feb.. So i hope that does the trick, it sounds crazy.

 

[jiminn]

cold Start

Was on Lake of the Woods past weekend. Friday morning when I got up it was -29 and the Ranger started and Ran great all weekend Did not get above 0 until Sunday after 9 am. Only Problem was Major Ice / snow build up under Machine, need to look at side curtains for engine. or wheel wells.

 

[Sawyer II]

Re: cold Start

Was on Lake of the Woods past weekend. Friday morning when I got up it was -29 and the Ranger started and Ran great all weekend Did not get above 0 until Sunday after 9 am. Only Problem was Major Ice / snow build up under Machine, need to look at side curtains for engine. or wheel wells.

How much snow was up there Jim? I am waiting for my heater before I accept delivery. I hope to get by without tracks but with 28" on the flat I am thinking I may be over optimistic.

 

[TD-Max]

I talked to the dealership today, They have finally came to a problem for the no start, and a few other issues i have been having. It seems that the speed sensor was throwing bad info, with the engine off and the key on it was showing that the machine was going 24 mph. So the computer showed that it was running and moving and leaned the computer way down. This would also explain why i would have issues with it running different at certain times. So they dont have any on hand but there should be some available the 20th of feb.. So i hope that does the trick, it sounds crazy.

I guess this makes sense. The speed sensor caused issues for some with the EPS but maybe some of us have one that's not quite so bad. Not knowing what type of sensor is being used it is possible that there is a "gapping" issue where when cold the gap is increasing? You would think that the ECU would do a quick check at key up to verify the operation of various sensors.

I've had a notion that at times the punch just wasn't quite there with mine, but not consistent enough to get a handle on it.

 

[TD-Max]

Any updates on the starting issue?