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An automobile relies heavily on a good Electronic Control Module or ECM to function properly. This is not only to say that the ECM is doing its job of coordinating processes to make a vehicle run but that it must not overheat in doing so. Overheating ECMs are the reason why about 700 all-terrain vehicles or ATVs manufactured by Polaris Industries are being recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. These vehicles were found to have defective ECM that overheat over a period of time and causes fire and burn hazards to the rider. Notably, since February this year, Polaris has received four reports of ECMs of their all terrain vehicles melting, and two cases of the smoke or fire incidents in the said control module. Fortunately, there have been no recent reports of injuries to humans. This recent recall of Polaris ATV is not a new one. In fact it is the fourth expansion of the original ATV recall of the company in 2005 for the same overheating ECMs. During the first round, around 15,00 ATVs were recalled, in the second round more than 61,000 thousand, and in the third round 95,000. As per reports over the past recalls, there were at least 500 reports of overheating incidences and 20 cases of fires, where nine caused serious property damage. At present, some 700 more ATV units have been included in the recall list. This latest recall involves units with model year 2004 and model numbers A04CL50AA, A04CH50AXS, A04CH50AW, A04CH50AV, A04CH50AT, A04CH50AS, A04CH50AR, A04CH50AQ, A04CH50AO, A04CH42AV, A04CH42AT, A04CH42AS, A04BG50AA, A04BG50FA, A04CH42AQ, A04CH42AR. These vehicles, marketed under the names Scrambler 500, Sportsman 400, and Sportsman 500, are actually serviced vehicles for electrical malfunctions and where given defective ECMs during service. These were sold mainly by Polaris dealers from July 2004 to January 2008 in store nationwide.
Consumers are advised to look for the model number near the radiator for the Sportsman models and in the front cover for the Scrambler and if it matches with the above numbers, immediately remove the connection between the black negative battery cable and the main cable itself. Contact a local Polaris dealer and set a schedule for a free repair of the defective ECM.
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