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Post by salt on Oct 9, 2011 21:08:20 GMT -5
I have a 500 Polaris Sportsman. A while back I was spraying round up and as I stepped off the 4 wheeler the wires got tangled with my feet. Unfortunately, the wire pulled out of a where I had them crimped and touched. Since then I have had trouble with starting the 4 wheeler. It doesn't seem to hold a charge. I can charge the battery and it will work for a while. But, eventually it needs to be pull started because the battery goes dead. Lately, it seems to be getting worse. I have to start it and let it run for a while before driving or it will die while I am giving it gas. I was just wondering if you guys think it is a bad battery or is there more serious problems? I really don't want to have to take it to the Polaris dealership if I don't have to. Thanks!
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Post by countrystyle56 on Oct 9, 2011 21:46:01 GMT -5
How long did the wires touch each other? I am not a 4 wheeler mechanic by any means, but it sounds like you may have a short to ground. If they touched for very long, you may have melted a wire causing a bare spot. Or you may have pulled a wire apart somewhere. That might be draining your battery. I'm guessing it has an electric choke. If a wire is shorted going to the choke and not allowing it to function, that may explain your having to let it warm up.
Just my thoughts, but I would check all of your wiring before taking it to a dealer or spending $50 on a battery.
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Post by salt on Oct 10, 2011 4:33:19 GMT -5
Thanks County, I will check the wiring.
On a side note, the sprayer was plugged into the cig lighter and I don't believe they touched for long.
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Post by barton174 on Oct 10, 2011 7:00:42 GMT -5
It sounds like your ATV isn't charging, or at least isn't charging enough... I assume you've measured the battery voltage while the thing is running, to make sure your stator or R/R hasn't died, or isn't on its last leg? What kind of voltages are you getting at idle, and at midrange RPM (assuming it doesn't have a tach)? (do this on a fully charged battery, so the dead battery isn't briging your voltage down)
Mike
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Post by HighCotton on Oct 10, 2011 14:10:27 GMT -5
It sounds like your ATV isn't charging, or at least isn't charging enough... I assume you've measured the battery voltage while the thing is running, to make sure your stator or R/R hasn't died, or isn't on its last leg? What kind of voltages are you getting at idle, and at midrange RPM (assuming it doesn't have a tach)? (do this on a fully charged battery, so the dead battery isn't briging your voltage down) Mike I agree with Mike here. Always important to start with the simple items first. A few more questions: How old is the battery? Do you keep the battery on a tender, especially through the winter months (it is very common for a battery to only last 2-3 yrs if never kept on a tender or trickle charger)? Definitely check the battery voltage under load. I've had customers come in and tell me they checked their battery with a multi-tester and it was o.k. because they got "close to 12 volts." Truth is most of those batteries are deader than squat with a load. Do you have a model number on the battery (or year on the quad)? I've got quite a few batteries and might just have what you need.
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Post by salt on Oct 10, 2011 20:39:48 GMT -5
Well I went ahead and replaced the battery. I took it in and had it tested. They said it was definately bad. I am going to run the heck out of it over the next few days after I get off work to see if it hold a charge. I will post an update soon. Thanks for your help guys.
Highcotton, I wish I would have read your post earlier. Paid $70 for an off brand at O'Reileys. It is a 2006 500 Polaris Sportsman.
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Post by barton174 on Oct 11, 2011 7:21:15 GMT -5
Bike/ATV charging systems aren't all that durable, so I suspect you'll find that running it with a battery that wouldn't take a charge probably killed the Regulator/Rectifier (it does this on cars, as well)... Before you deep cycle your brand new battery, and cause it to lose 10% of its capacity forever, please check the voltage on the battery with the engine running at idle, and at midrange RPM... If you don't have a meter, they're $15 for a cheap one at Radio Shack...
Mike
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Post by omegahunter on Oct 12, 2011 12:48:38 GMT -5
I had enough room on my wheeler that I upgraded from a MC battery to a heavy duty lawnmower battery when my original went belly up and the replacement only lasted 6 1/2 months (just out of warranty wouldn't you know it). Never had a problem since with starting.
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