electric start doesnt work on my polaris

carralo1 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-18-2012, 05:38 PM

Just picked up a 2000 xplorer 4x4. Pull start works fine but want electric start to work. When I turn the key to start absolutely nothing happens. Guy said Battery was brand new, (looks new) is getting about 8 volts when I checked it with my multimeter. Then put it on charge and it said it was up near 100%. None of the lights work, (headlight, neutral light, etc). Im thinking there must be a blown fuse or breaker or fusible link? Any input will greatly be appreciated. I will be doing more checks tomorrow. Thanks in advance

res2cue · #2 (**permalink**) 01-18-2012, 06:07 PM

While doing some work on my machine I found a broken wire at the solenoid right next to the battery which gave me no power. It was one of the connectors that has the rubber shield over it. It was corroded inside and the terminal was broken inside. Its a start! Good luck

SeanE1987 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-18-2012, 06:20 PM

Should be a 20 amp circuit breaker in a sealed black bag next to the battery, see if you have power there.

carralo1 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-18-2012, 06:35 PM

I will check both tomorrow. As far as the 20 amp breaker in that bag goes, ive always seem them but how do you get at them i dont want to ruin anything more than already is. Any other ideas of what to
Check would Be greatly appreciated so I can do them all at once.

Russ C · #5 (**permalink**) 01-19-2012, 04:13 AM

good battery should be at12.3 or more volts, when shut off, when you start it and rev it a little it should read 13.5-14.5

carralo1 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-19-2012, 02:52 PM

So I looked for loose connections and such today. Didnt spend as much time diagnosing because family got in the way but as far as that black bag and circuit breaker go, how do I check it without ruining anything. Also what else should I be checking tomorrow when I get a good amount of time to diagnose. Thanks all

Russ C · #7 (**permalink**) 01-19-2012, 05:56 PM

check battery voltage, have to split open black bag to check circuit breaker, can use electrical tape and tape it back when done

carralo1 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-20-2012, 01:44 PM

Hey all. I just want to say I appreciate all the help you guys have given to me on here, you guys have been great. A lot of guys come on here and are rude as sh** if they dont get their answers in 5 minutes and I see a lot of bickering by original posters which always upsets me. I just wanted to thank yall for being so helpful. Its been raining the past two days and I havent been able to work on it (no garage here). the only thing I could do today when the rain broke for a few minutes was run a wire from the battery to the starter cable directly with the key in its second position (as I would when Im using pull start) and the red switch on left handlebar in middle. I figured this would maybe bypass everything and It would turn over but nothing. Would that usually make the starter turn over? What could it be that didnt make it turn over? What Im asking is for someone who understands the electric start system completely, could take a few minutes to write up a detailed description of how EXACTLY AND FULLY the electric start system works from battery, to ignition to breakers, starter etc. Everything. WHat happens when you turn the key and everything. Ive had multiple issues with Polaris's whos electric start wont work (actually everyone Ive own Ive had this problem lol). Ive spent hours aimlessly checking and testing probably the wrong things on all these machines and with no luck. A full description of how it works will help me and others on here who dont understand it completely for the rest of my life to know how it works. I want to be more effective in my diagnosis process and hopefully I will be able to get this fixed. Thanks all and hope someone can can take a few minutes to do this.

Russ C · #9 (**permalink**) 01-20-2012, 04:09 PM

there is just such a book, called a service manual, sorry but I cant type that much

carralo1 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-22-2012, 09:43 AM

Ok so no rain today was able to work on it a little. This is what ive found...

Circuit breaker seems good, getting current through it. I cleaned all contacts and grounds. Battery is at 8.5 volts so i hooked up jumper cables and started my truck, got 14 volts when checking battery now. That 14 went from positive terminal (on battery) to where that red cable connects to starter solenoid. Checked the negative from battery to where it leads on engine block and had continuency. I touched the two main terminals on starter solenoid together with screwdriver and nothing happened. Ran a wire from positive terminal on battery to positive terminal on starter underneath and nothing. I checked with a multimeter the voltage at that positive starter terminal and it read 8.5 volts (i know i need a new battery) but still with 8.5 volts something should happen. And when i hooked it up to the truck it was getting 14 volts and still nothing was happening. So im guessing its something to do with ignition or is it just that the starter itself is bad. Someone with some technical knowledge greater than me hopefully can tell from these tests the problem.

Also while working on it today I found a broken wire that was laying on top of engine, looked to be going to a threaded in (sensor?) on top right of engine. Im thinking this is the temp sensor and the wire that connects to it is for the fan relay which will start the fan when needed? Am i correct and Do I need this wire connected or can I just run a switch to the fan which will start it whenever I want, (which i planned on doing anyway). Also Ive been looking everywhere for transmission fluid dipstick, cant find it anywhere. Where my manual says it is, I cant find it