11 Tracker 500s Problems With Proper Reasons & Solutions!

Tracker 500S is a good option for a UTV. but it also causes some problems occasionally. 

So, what are the tracker 500s problems?

The common problem you can face with a Tracker 500 includes weak or no spark and burnt spark plugs. There are also problems like overcharging undercharging, an unstably charged battery, rapid battery discharge, and reverse polarity. Most Tracker 500 problems require replacing the spark plug, starter relay, starter coil, and battery. 

Keep reading to get proper solutions for these problems. 

Tracker 500S Problems With Reasons And Solutions

Here are the common problems you can sometimes face with the Tracker 500. The reasons behind these problems with proper solutions are also discussed below.

Problem 1: Weak or No Spark

The spark on your Tracker 500S can sometimes be weak or there may be no spark at all. So, the fuel will not ignite and your UTV engine will not produce power.

Reason: 

The no-spark problem can happen due to various reasons including defective ignition coil and spark plugs. Defective ECM and CKP sensors can also cause this problem in your UTV.

Solution:

Step 1: For a start, check the ignition coil of your UTV. Here are the steps. 

1. Disconnect the negative terminal of your battery. And also, disconnect the injector connector. 
2. Locate the ignition coil. In Tracker 500S, the ignition coil is installed below the passenger side’s seat. 
3. Remove the ignition coil by popping the cap from the spark plug and ignition switch.
4. Test the ignition coil with a multimeter. The following video will help you with the testing process. 

Although ATVs and UTVs are different, their repair procedures are almost similar. 

5. Replace the ignition coil with a new one if found defective. 

Step 2: Check the spark plugs if the ignition coil is in good condition. Here’s the process of testing and replacing the spark plug. 

Tools Required: 

• Spark plug socket
• New spark plug
• Spark plug gapper tool
• Washcloth 

Process: 

1. Disconnect the negative terminal and battery and make sure that your UTV engine is cool enough to touch.
2. Locate the spark plug which is under the passenger-side seat cover. It is covered with a rubber boot. Remove the rubber boot from the spark plug with the 5/8 spark plug socket. 
3. Clean the dirt around the spark plug with a washcloth Before removing the spark plug. Otherwise, when you remove the spark plug, the dirt can go into the engine. 
4. With the spark plug socket wrench, remove the spark plug. 
5. Visibly inspect the spark plug for any sign of wear or damage. If the spark plug is defective, you have to replace it.
6. Check the gap on the new spark plug using the gapper tool. In Tracker 500S, the gap should be between 0.7-0.8 mm (0.028-0.031 inches). 
7. Install the new spark plug. Make the plug’s washer with contact to the cylinder head. And then using a wrench, tighten it to 1/2 turn. 
8. Reattach the rubber boot to the spark plug and Reconnect the battery cables.

Step 3: Check and if needed replace the Crankshaft position sensor or ECM. Both of these processes are very complicated. So, have a mechanic perform these for you.

Problem 2: Carbon-Fouled Spark Plugs

Sometimes, in your Tracker 500S, the spark plug can be fouled with carbon. This is a problem because it causes problematic acceleration. Poor starting and misfiring. 

Reason:

The primary reason for this problem is using incorrect gasoline which causes excessive carbon emissions. It can also happen due to incorrect spark plugs, dirty air cleaners, missing or cracked valve seals, and worn-out oil rings. 

Solution: 

Step 1: Use 87 minimum octane regular unleaded gasoline for your Tracker 500S. If, in your area, oxygenates are added, make sure there is not more than 10% ethanol and 5% methanol.

Step 2: Clean your ATV s air cleaners in the similar way described in the following video. 

Step 3: Check and replace the spark plugs if required. 

Step 4: Check and replace the valve seals and oil rings. Note that, Tracker 500S manufacturers recommend replacing the valve seal only with experienced technicians. Also, installing the oil rings incorrectly can damage the engine. So, seek professional help for replacing them. 

Problem 3: Burnt or Overheat Electrodes On Spark Plugs

Another problem you can face with the Tracker 500S is a burnt electrode on the spark plugs. As a result, you will notice white smoke emission, excessive engine vibration, slower hard acceleration, and the engine struggling to start. 

Reason:

The reasons for this problem include excessive hot spark plug or loose plug, and an overheated engine. 

Solution: 

Step 1: Access your UTV’s spark plug and check it visibly. If the spark plug is white in color, that means it is too hot. In this case, you have to replace the spark plug. 

Step 2: If the spark plug is grayish or brownish in color, that means the spark plug is in normal condition. Check if the spark plug is tightened correctly. In Tracker 500S, a used spark plug requires 1/8-1/4 turns to tighten properly. So make sure to meet the requirements. 

Step 3: Your UTV’s engine’s operating temperature should be around 190 to 225 °F. If the engine gets hotter than that, you need to service the cooling system of the engine in your preferred workshop. Also, to prevent your UTV from overheating, don’t put more load than the UTV can take. 

Problem 4: The Battery Won’t Charge

Some Tracker 500S owners complain that the battery of their UTV is not charging at all. 

Reason:

If the lead wire of the charging cable is loose or not connected, it can cause the battery not to charge. Also, grounded or open stator coils and shorted regulators or rectifiers can also cause this issue.

Solution: 

Step 1: Check the lead wires, if they are lose you have to tighten them properly. If the wires are defective, replace them.

Step 2: Locate the stator coil from the right side of your UTV s engine. It is a black three-pin connector. You have to test the stator coil in the following way. 

1. Set your multimeter to AC mode. 
2. Take two of the three wires and test them one with another. 
3. Run the engine at a 5000 RPM constant rate and set the shift lever to neutral. In this situation, in the multimeter, the test result should be around 75 volts. If you don’t get this reading, the stator coils need to be replaced. 

Step 3: If nothing of the above works, you have to replace the regulator/rectifier. In Tracker 500S, you will find this component in the front right side of the fender well, on the cross-member of the frame. The following video might help with the replacement process. 

Problem 5: Below Specification Charging Rate

In this situation, the battery of your Tracker 500S charges, but the charging rate is below specification. If you keep driving the car this problem can cause further battery and engine damage. 

Reason:

The same reasons that cause the battery not to charge can cause this as well. Moreover, if the battery of your UTV is defective, it can cause this issue. 

Solution: 

Tighten the lead wires, and if the problem doesn’t go away, check and replace the stator coil and rectifier one by one. If nothing works, you have to replace the battery of your UTV. You can watch the following video for a proper battery replacement process. 

Problem 6: Overcharging Magneto

Another problem you might face in the Tracker 500S is the magneto being overcharged. This will generally cause overheating which in turn will damage the battery.

Reason:

The reason behind this problem is a short circuit in the battery and a defective or poorly grounded regular/rectifier.

Solution: 

Step 1: First, clean the ground connection of the rectifier according to the following video. 

Step 2: Check the rectifier and replace it if necessary. 

Step 3: Check the battery for short circuits and if required, replace the battery. 

Problem 7: Unstable Charging

Unstable charging in Tracker 500S is a situation where the UTV does not charge at a constant rate every time. In good condition, the battery should charge up to 95% of its capacity. Sometimes the charging rate will be below or over the specification range. If you don’t do something about it, it will gradually damage the battery. 

Reason:

Unstable charging occurs for mostly three reasons. An intermittently short in the lead wire or Magento and a defective regulator/rectifier. 

Solution: 

Replace your UTV’s lead wire. This should solve the problem. If not, check and if required, replace the stator coil. If nothing works, you have to replace the regulator/rectifier of Tracker 500S as mentioned above. 

Problem 8: No Starter Engagement

In this case, when you turn the ignition on, you will get no response from the starter. You might also hear a clicking noise but the starter will not engage.

Reason:

Various reasons affect the starter not to engage, including a low-charged battery, defective switch contacts, and improper installment of starter motor brushes. 

There are some other reasons as well. For example, a defective starter relay, defective neutral relay, and loose wiring connection of the starter and battery. 

Solution: 

Step 1: Start charging the battery.

Step 2: Replace the starter switch in the following way. 

1. Turn off the engine and remove the key from the ignition switch.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery
3. Remove the bolts and screws that are securing the starter switch in place. 
4. Once the key switch is exposed, remove the electrical connectors from the back of the switch. Make sure to take note of which connector goes where.
5. Take out the old key switch and install the new one.
6. Reconnect the electrical connectors to the new switch.
7. Reattach the screws and bolts to secure the switch in place. 
8. Reconnect the negative battery cable. Check if the starter engages or not.

Step 3: Check all the connections from the starter to the battery. If any connection is loose, tighten them. If the cable is defective, you need to replace them. 

Step 4: Check and if required, replace the starter relay. Here’s how to test and change the starter relay in Tracker 500S.

1. Locate the starter relay in your Tracker 500S. It is located near the battery, attached to the frame, or in a nearby bracket. You have to remove the seat and battery box cover to access the starter relay.
2. Take a multimeter and set it to DC voltage mode. 
3. Connect the red lead of the multimeter to your ATVs positive battery terminal. And connect the black tester to the cable connection of the relay.
4. Press the starter switch. The ignition switch must be turned on and the transmission should be in a neutral position. The multimeter reading should be near 0 Volts and you might hear a click from the relay. If you hear no click, that means the relay doesn’t need replacement. The click indicates the relay is faulty and you have to replace it.  Replace the starter relay as per the following video. 

Step 5: If nothing works, you have to replace the starter. This video might help. 

Problem 9: Sulfated Battery

You might sometimes notice powdery white substances on the battery cell plates. This corrosion on battery terminals is caused by a chemical reaction between the battery acid and the surrounding air.

Reason:

Low battery charge or charging rate can cause the sulfated battery problem. 

Solution:

Spray battery corrosion cleaner on the white substances and wait for 3 minutes. Wipe it off with a washcloth. Then charge the battery. 

If you see the white deposit again, you have to replace the battery. 

Problem 10: Rapid Battery Discharge

This is another annoying problem you may sometimes face as an owner of Tracker 500S. The battery gets discharged too soon even if you fully charge it. 

Reason:

UTVs’ and ATV batteries can keep dying for several reasons. Rapid battery discharge can happen if the UTV’s charging system is not proper, there might be a loose connection. Also, if the battery’s cell plates are damaged or overcharged, or the battery is short-circuited, you can face this issue in your UTV. 

Solution: 

Step 1: Check the electrical connections between the alternator (AC generator), the voltage regulator, and the rectifier. If there are loose or damaged connections between these components, reconnect them properly. 

Step 2: Replace the battery. 

Problem 11: Reversed Battery Polarity

If the polarity of your UTV battery is reversed, it means that the positive and negative terminals are switched. In this case, the positive terminal is connected to the negative cable, and the negative terminal is connected to the positive cable. This is a dangerous problem as the battery can explode at any time. 

Reason:

If you accidentally connect the battery in a reverse position, this reversed polarity problem can occur. 

Solution: 

Step 1: If you suspect that your UTV battery has reversed polarity, the first step is to disconnect the battery cables and reconnect them to the correct terminals.

Step 2: If there is any burnt smell from the battery, that means the battery is damaged and you have to replace it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What Is The Warranty Of A Tracker Utv?

Tracker side-by-sides comes with a warranty of 2 years. And the Tracker ATVs have a warranty of 1 year. 

What Does P0500S Code Means On Tracker 500S?

The P0500S code on tracer 500S indicates a problem with the vehicle speed sensor. The possible cause behind this can be the missing or intermittent sensor circuit signal. Check the VSS wiring and if required, replace the VSS of your UTV.

What Does P0340 Code Means On Tracker 500S?

The code P0340 on the Tracker 500S means there is a fault in the camshaft angle sensor synchronization. A faulty cam angle sensor or loose connection can cause this code to come. Repair the connection or replace the sensor.

Conclusion

Here go all the common Tracker 500S problems. I hope after reading this article, you can easily troubleshoot any problem you are facing with your ATV. And if you are planning on buying Tracker 500S, you can keep these problems into consideration. 

My discussion is over now. Have a great day and goodbye!