For the last few years I have ongoing battery/cold start issues. I keep a battery tender and have changed the battery in each of the last 3 years. When the sled is cold, it will not turn over and start. Give it a quick jump and runs perfectly as long as it does not sit for too long. I am not talking super cold temps either, even teens and twenties cause an issue. I bought an upgraded cold crank top of the line Interstate battery this year and same problem a week after the install. Any solutions? Called AC hot line and was told I needed a new battery. Local dealer says this is an ongoing issue with AC 4 strokes.....really?? Is there a battery drain from the electronics that might cause some drain in the cold? Another dealer wants to sell me a pocket battery storage/jump start which might solve the issue but looking for input. Thanks, Gregg
Battery Issue on 2011 Sno Pro 4 stroke
- Thread starter greggk
- Start date
goofy600
Well-known member
Long story short there is some type of drain but I'm not an AC guy so can't tell you what. A good mechanic should be able to find problem but a easier fix may be to install a battery cutoff switch which would stop the drain on the battery when switch is turned off. If they say they know there is a problem but don't have a fix cutoff switch is the way to go.
someone that knows how to use a digital,volt,ohm meter (dvom) should be able to check for a draw....may have to use the milliamp setting if a small drain. I would also check starter amp draw when cranking with good known battery....the starter could be weak, there is a spec in most service manuals for this. always do a good check of cables ect making sure they are tight on both ends. one last note....allways double check that the milliamp fuse in meter is good before AND after checking.......if its bad it will not show any value/draw. I've been wrenching on boats for 35 years and have been burned on that little tid bit
The first thing I would do is remove the battery, give it a 24 hour trickle charge and have it properly load tested, do not just simply put a volt meter on the battery and read it had 12 v/dc and assume ah ha the battery is good, you could very well have a battery that will not take or hold a charge or both, and by jumping it you are just supplying the system with energy the battery cannot. Have the battery properly load tested first both for integrity and reserve voltage, that is where I would start first before condemning anything in the electrical system. If it ends up being the battery do your self a favor and get either a YUASA or a OPTIMA battery. Start with the obvious first, just because you have a charger hooked to a battery NEVER means it is taking or holding a charge and jumping it is no different than adding in a good battery.