I am unable to start my Polaris 500HO with very low hours on the new battery . I have the bike on charge and a heater under the bike it is -25 with the wind chill. When turning the ignition key, I can hear the starter crank; but its not engaging; its a whining noise. What is the next step to test? Is it reasonable to think the starter and or bendix has failed? If so, how can I test for certainty? If the starter bendix has failed, how do I remove and replace? Thanks for your help.

 

I'm thinking I'm just having some bad luck I've just been chasing problem after problem.I've fixed a lot of things on it so far I think I've bought someones neglected bike lol.I'm just going to not let it get me down it's just not worth it I'm just going to keep my head down and keep looking for the problem if anyone has any info please feel free.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: manxman

I am unable to start my Polaris 500HO with very low hours on the new battery . I have the bike on charge and a heater under the bike it is -25 with the wind chill. When turning the ignition key, I can hear the starter crank; but its not engaging; its a whining noise. What is the next step to test? Is it reasonable to think the starter and or bendix has failed? If so, how can I test for certainty? If the starter bendix has failed, how do I remove and replace? Thanks for your help.</end quote></div>

If you hear it spinning then the starter is probably ok. The bendix is probably your issue. Is there water in the recoil(pull rope) housing? If so it may have ice buildup or rust on the bendix. To get to the bendix you need to pull the right hand footwell, shift linkage(one end is all) and pull the recoil. Some can be worked out without removing the flywheel but sometimes the flywheel has to be pulled. If it is the bendix, it's not a big deal. They are reasonably price and easy to replace.

 

The bendix is under the cover where the pull cord is on the machine?I could not see any info on the bendix in the manual.I'm going to have another look at the manual thanks for the info.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: manxman

The bendix is under the cover where the pull cord is on the machine?I could not see any info on the bendix in the manual.I'm going to have another look at the manual thanks for the info.</end quote></div>

The bendix is under the recoil assy(pull rope) It can be replaced by itself. You don't have to replace the whole starter to replace the bendix.

 

I will have a look at it probably after christmas I much appreciate the info thanks I'll let you know what I find.Merry Christmas and thanks again.

 

I'm going to take the foot well of tomorrow and the cover is the bendix in the starter.The starter will have to be removed from under the main cover in order to look at the bendix.

 

The starter can be removed without taking the recoil off. The bendix cannot be removed without taking the recoil off.
The starter and the bendix are two different parts. Pull the recoil and check the bendix first.

 

I have another problem now the new battery is looking like it's bad.I'm going to take it in under warranty get them to check and make sure it's ok first and then go from there.

 

Battery is good looks like I'm going to check the wires and then pull the foot well off and pull the cover to get at the bendix around the starter.I'm not having a good experience but it's not the bikes falt .