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850 sportsman

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3.5K views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  SlowRoller  
#1 ·
Can anyone tell me why my Polaris 850 acts like the battery is dead in the cold but as soon as the weather gets warm it starts?
 
#2 ·
That used to mean the battery was dying. Hard start in cool temps was the first warning that the battery had gotten weak and was about to give up. Over the last number of years I haven't seen that kind of warning. They just give up without any notice. I would pull the battery, charge it up and have it tested.
 
#3 ·
What "act"? Like slow turnover? How cold? How old is the battery? Have you got a volt meter? Test the battery, should be 12.7v at rest. Start the machine, voltage should be 13.4+ when running. Charge the battery, disconnected, let rest for an hour and test the voltage - should be 12.7 +. If all that is good, take it somewhere for a load test - lots of autoparts stores can/will do it for free.
 
#4 ·
Yeah, the battery is dead or weak or the starter motor is bad or the engine oil viscosity is too heavy or the oil is old and needs to be changed or the machine needs to be stored in a heated garage or the fuel is high alcohol content and hard to ignite or the spark plugs need to be replaced or a combination of possibilities.
 
#5 ·
Bad battery most likely!!! Make sure the terminals are good and tight!!