My 1997 Polaris Trailboss won't hold charge. Being the Battery is about a year old I thought replacing it would help. I filled the acid and trickled charged the batter according the battery instruction. The charger showed full charge. The quad started right up with the new battery using the electric start. I then removed the key. However, when I left the battery connected for a day, the starter just clicked. If I pull start, it starts right up and the light come on fine. I have checked the charging system and it is charging fine. If I disconnect the battery and connect it to jumper cables to my truck, it starts up fine again. I can leave the + terminal disconnected from the battery and connect it just before I start riding, but that doesn't fix the problem.
Please help.

Mark

 

if you left the pos + unhooked and the battery ran dead then the battery is junk by the sounds.

 

Get a multi meter and touch the pos and neg on the battery, not running should have 12to 12.5 volts, reved up a little should go up to 13.5 to 14.5.

 

When the + terminal is disconnected from the battery the battery stays charged. When I connect the battery to the terminals, even when the ATV is off, it kills the battery. It almost sounds like there is a short in the electrical system, but then again, I can pull start it and when the battery is charged, the electric start starts it right up.

Mark

 

Sounds like the battery,I seen them die in just a year,heck I have seen bad ones come from the store and have to be returned.

 

This battery is just a few days old and when I disconnect it from the terminals, it will keep a charge. I could bring it to Autozone and have them check it.

 

If the battery keeps a charge while disconnected it is not bad. Look for whatever is draining it. Most multimeters will have an "ammeter" function. to use that you have to put the meter in line with the battery, IE disconnect the positive terminal and use the meter leads to connect the circuit. You should see the amperage drain on the meter then. Start pulling fuses or disconnecting wires until you find the one that makes the drain stop. Then fix whatever is broken/shorting/staying on after the key is off...

PS. Most multimeters will self destruct if you put more than maybe 10A thru them. DO NOT start the bike connected like this!