i have a 2003 sportsman 50 h.o. MY ELECTIC START WONT WORK-PULL START DOES AND WHEN U PUT A SCREW DRIVER OVER THE SOLENOID IT TURNS OVER-IM THINKIN CABLE CONNECTIONS. AND O YA WHEN I GET THE SPPEDO TO STAY ON LONG ENOUGH BATTERY GAUGE IS LIKE AT 18 ND THEN WILL DROP DOWN TO LIKE 14-STILL NOT RIGHT-ITS A 12.5 VOLT

 

If you are saying you can short across the terminals of the solenoid and the motor turns over then it would seem to me you need to replace the solenoid.

 

OR, your ignition switch is bad, which is quite common.