Hello, i am working on my friends 98 Cougar 550. The sled starts up and idles perfectly, but has no throttle response (bogs down right away) and will not revv over 3000 RPM (wont even engage clutch). I have checked normal things, such as plugs, cleaned carbs (seems to be getting enough fuel) fuel pump, filter. etc. im thinking it may be a ignition problem (as i fooled around with float levels in carb with no luck) is there a high and low speed coil in this igniton? i am going to hook up a timing light and see what the timing does. dont know whatelse to check. any input? thanks.

check your compresion it may be ok when idles but when you get on the throttle the rings may open up a crack and you may be loosing your compresion. i had a friends older mx do the same thing and the rings were shot changed themand ran like a champ. just a suggestion. good luck.

sounds like your throttle safety switch... if you look at your throttle closely there is a little plastic tab in there that releases when you touch the throttle... i think you may need to either replace it or close the circut... do a search on these forums for "throttle safety switch" and I am confident you will find your answer :)

So i found the 2 wires going to the throttle saftey switch, disconecete them and bridged the 2 wires (bypassing the switch) and it still does the exact thing, does anybody have any wiring diagrams for this sled? Also i checked the 2 magnetic throttle switches on the carbs and they are both working correctly.

weird, I am out of ideas man sorry, i will ask my friend, he may have an idea or two...

I know this is an ignition issue because i hooked up a timming light and the spark seems to be skipping and cutting out when i revv the engine.

could be high speed ignition coil. it is on stator. can't help w/ specs but I would get them and check resistance, check low speed coil while you're at it. also as before the throttle switch could be culprit. when mine did this I just unplugged the harness at the throttle on handlebar. been that way about four years now, although this will also make the kill switch inop. make sure primary clutch good. I have seen many times guys chasing electrical stuff that was actually caused by clutch being worn. Inspect weights and rollers if you have not done so already. also try adjusting switches on carbs all the way down if possible to adjust them.

Replaced the high speed coil (and low speed coil they came together) and she runs like a champ. Snow storm in the forcast :)

i kinda have the same problem i think but when i take the belt off i have tones of power is that the same thing,if you know let me know,we tried to time it and it seems to jump around all over can anyone tell me what to do next you can email me at geoffven@hotmail.com