Arctic Cat 500 Service Manual page 217

Problem: Spark absent or weak
Condition
1. Ignition coil defective
2. Spark plug defective
3. Magneto defective
4. ECM defective
5. Pick-up coil defective
Problem: Spark plug fouled with carbon
Condition
1. Gasoline incorrect
2. Air cleaner element dirty
3. Spark plug incorrect (too cold)
4. Valve seals cracked - missing
5. Oil rings worn - broken
Problem: Spark plug electrodes overheat or burn
Condition
1. Spark plug incorrect (too hot)
2. Engine overheats
3. Spark plug loose
Problem: Battery does not charge
Condition
1. Lead wires/connections shorted - loose - open
2. Magneto coils shorted - grounded - open
3. Regulator/rectifier defective
Problem: Battery charges, but charging rate is below the specification
Condition
1. Lead wires shorted - open - loose (at terminals)
2. Stator coil (magneto) grounded - open
3. Regulator/rectifier defective
4. Cell plates (battery) defective
Problem: Battery overcharges
Condition
1. Internal battery short circuited
2. Regulator/rectifier resistor damaged - defective
3. Regulator/rectifier poorly grounded
Problem: Charging unstable
Condition
1. Lead wire intermittently shorting
2. Magneto internally shorted
3. Regulator/rectifier defective
Problem: Starter button not effective
Condition
1. Battery charge low
2. Switch contacts defective
3. Starter relay defective
4. Emergency stop - ignition switch off
5. Wiring connections loose - disconnected
Problem: Battery "sulfation" (Acidic white powdery substance or spots on surfaces of cell plates)
Condition
1. Charging rate too low - too high
2. Battery run-down - damaged
3. Electrolyte contaminated
Problem: Battery discharges too rapidly
Condition
1. Charging system not charging
2. Cell plates overcharged - damaged
3. Battery short-circuited
4. Electrolyte contaminated
Problem: Battery polarity reversed
Condition
1. Battery incorrectly connected
Remedy
1. Replace ignition coil
2. Replace plug
3. Replace stator coil
4. Replace ECM
5. Replace stator coil
Remedy
1. Change to correct gasoline
2. Clean element
3. Replace plug
4. Replace seals
5. Replace rings
Remedy
1. Replace plug
2. Service cooling system
3. Tighten plug
Remedy
1. Repair - replace - tighten lead wires
2. Replace magneto coils
3. Replace regulator/rectifier
Remedy
1. Repair - tighten lead wires
2. Replace stator coil
3. Replace regulator/rectifier
4. Replace battery
Remedy
1. Replace battery
2. Replace resistor
3. Clean - tighten ground connection
Remedy
1. Replace lead wire
2. Replace stator coil
3. Replace regulator/rectifier
Remedy
1. Charge - replace battery
2. Replace switch
3. Replace relay
4. Turn on switches
5. Connect - tighten - repair connections
Remedy
1. Replace battery
2. Replace battery
3. Replace battery
Remedy
1. Check magneto - regulator/rectifier - circuit connections
2. Replace battery - correct charging system
3. Replace battery
4. Replace battery
Remedy
1. Reverse connections - replace battery - repair damage
215