Throttle cable froze!!!

[OuraySledder]

Scared the whee out of me, I almost lost it the first time it happened.

The snow was super deep over the hood all day long. The sled was rolled out of stucks a couple of times. So, the source of the ice build-up is no mystery.

There was a thin layer of ice buiding up on the throttle cable. As it was pulled out and released the ice would wedge in the cable throat and the sled takes off!

I have never had this happen on any sled, seems pretty dangerous. Anybody else have one get away from them?

The plan is to flush the cable with spray lube to try and disperse all the moisture. Any other ideas are very wlecome, I would rather not have to tow out what is left if it did get away.

 

[d8grandpa]

That shouldn't happen if your TSS is working properly. When there is no pull from your cable the throttle flipper should trip your TSS switch and shut off the engine.

 

[MATCO]

What year do you have?

 

[die hard poo]

Ya happens to our pros when its that perfect dry over-the-hood pow. On those days I carry some WD40 to keep them from freezing. Unfortunately that is the only solution I have. Ski-doos in the group have the same issue... And TSS is a crap shoot if it will work, but even when it does, its just prevents the sled from ghost riding. I don't want it to stick at all. Talk about scary!

 

[ak]

Tether=only prevention I've found. Even some tethers fail that's when it really sucks. Never had a problem on my 12 model but my 13 has a problem.

 

[RSI]

Heated throttle block will fix you right up.





http://www.rsiracing.com/HEATED-POLARIS-BILLET-THROTTLE-BLOCK-_p_89.html

 

[Murph]

Mine froze on my 2012 last week.

End of day on trail heading to truck. Was on autopilot. Cruising along at 50mph BEFORE the throttle stuck. Pushed flipper back and throttle cable popped off.
Tried to make turn, ran out of real estate and sled hit tree at 60 mph. When I bailed off, tether killed motor, but had too much momentum already.

Tore off left side a arms, shock, tie rod, broke left side bulkhead and folded the left side of the tunnel in the foot wells.

Needless to say, sled is totalled.

WTB-- a 2011 or newer Pro or Assault rolling chassis. Blown or missing motor is fine.

 

[sidehil]

Damn, glad your ok, we have every brand and those years in our bunch. Its never happened yet but we ride from snow to rain and back to snow in Western WA. Or load up in rain and travel over to Eastern WA to the cold. We dont get handle bar deep pow here much thou. Thats why we go north!

 

[d8grandpa]

Heated throttle block will fix you right up.

View attachment 231679

View attachment 231680

http://www.rsiracing.com/HEATED-POLARIS-BILLET-THROTTLE-BLOCK-_p_89.html

I have this block, works great. Thanks RSI.

 

[OuraySledder]

Mine froze on my 2012 last week.

End of day on trail heading to truck. Was on autopilot. Cruising along at 50mph BEFORE the throttle stuck. Pushed flipper back and throttle cable popped off.
Tried to make turn, ran out of real estate and sled hit tree at 60 mph. When I bailed off, tether killed motor, but had too much momentum already.

Tore off left side a arms, shock, tie rod, broke left side bulkhead and folded the left side of the tunnel in the foot wells.

Needless to say, sled is totalled.

WTB-- a 2011 or newer Pro or Assault rolling chassis. Blown or missing motor is fine.

I almost had a '15 sno-check.... all I had to do was let it ride and call the ins company.

PB Blaster looks like the chemical I need. Disperses water and leaves a lubricaing film, perfect!

 

[gman086]

Mine froze on my 2012 last week.

Did you bypass the TSS?

What happens in spring conditions is the warm weather creates a lot of moisture in the air and if you stay late, the temps start dropping and WILL freeze moisture on the cables weather or not you've been riding pow all day. Then you'd darn well better have TSS (saved my *** several times already) or a heated throttle block because, unless you bail, a tether or kill switch won't be fast enough.

Have FUN!

G MAN

 

[Murph]

TSS had been bypassed on mine in years past. When dealer rebuilt motor under warranty TSS was reinstalled. Flipper was frozen in forward position telling TSS my hand was still on it.

 

[Bturton]

My last trip out, the TSS was the part that actually froze.
So the throttle would hang up but the TSS would not shut it down.
I was interesting at times.


Turts, typing on Tapatalk

 

[RMK935VA]

I rolled my 11 several years ago while sidehilling and it came over on top of me with the track across my thighs. It was wide open when that happened. It felt like my legs were being cut in half by a dull chainsaw. It did that for a few seconds or less and rolled over again and was idling upside down at that point. My Klim pants were melted through on the top layer as well as torn in various places. I had massive deep bruises on both legs that took months to recede. It also tweaked my lower back as it was trying to spit me out the back and it has never been the same. I will try the WD-40 trick on my 13. I don't want to have that happen again!

 

[geo]

Because of past experiences, keeping the throttle cable-flipper clean and lubed is a weekly maintenance thing for me. More often than cleaning clutches on a Cat lol.

I use the same synthetic Teflon based lube I use while servicing clutches. Name brand has changed over the years but a quality, plastic compatible (READ) lube is best. Spray it on a clean piece of metal and if it leaves a thick white coat, put it on the shelf or use it for the garage door lol and try something else. One can will last for years if it is just for your sled.

I open the flipper, give the cable a wipe, spritz the cable and release a couple of times. Then I do the same at the pivot pin area to lube that and the TSS. Takes 52 seconds. Don't even think about it anymore, just do it. I believe if kept fresh it helps keep the snow from sticking too because I have never noticed a problem since
Once a month I do the brake lever pivot and switch too. As well as all steering post bushings when hood is off. That takes 4 min. because I spend two min. admiring the pro's lay-out and design lol.

Just one of those things on my to do list from experiences.