Kevan

 

The older model Polaris atvs could start without a battery or dead battery from the magneto triggered ignition system,but since at least 2003 or so when they changed to a dc/cdi type system which instead of using dc voltage straight from the magneto,the cdi receives 12 volts direct from the battery itself. If a battery is weak you can probably pull start one,but completely dead no.You'd have to jump it(not advisable) especially with the sensitive ecm module along with the cdi that could be damaged! This is directly from the manual I have. Get a new battery and make sure it's charging 14 volts back to the battery while idling. Ecms had a recall that year ,BUT the 330 wasn't officially on it,but I did replace a few that were bad(not charging) http://www.usrecallnews.com/2008/02/...scrambler.html
Plus here is the superceded part if you are not charging back to the battery.http://www.gearhead.com/4011088.html#/s/POL//4011088/1

 

Hope I am not hijacking here b/c this is same subject matter. OPT, are you saying that even with a fully operational charging/magneto system, a dead battery will cause the 2004 and up machines to fail to run?

I ask because......both my 400 and 800 had dead batteries today. The 400 was getting weak and we'd have to pull-start if it sat too long. But the 800 seemed fine and dandy and I never had an issue with it (no pull start anyway). But...someone left the KEY ON when last parked!!! However, both machines will now only run when connected to another battery. Pull cable off - they die!!

So...are dead batteries able to be recharged???

 

800 could simply have a dead cell. Leaving the key on could have just accelerated the problem? Just charge it up and have it load tested,then you'll know for sure if it's the battery or some other problem. As far as what the manual says on the newer models with the dc/cdi system,they need less voltage (minimum of 7) to pull start it ,but it has to have some voltage from the battery to crank! The older ones were strictly magneto triggered ignitions and the battery could be completely dead and would still crank with the recoil. It has to do with the cdi receiving voltage directly from the battery on the newer electrical systems, according to the manual. Depending on how old the batteries are,etc there are chargers that can desulfate "dead batteries" we had one at the shop,but I never had much luck with em! I'd just charge both batteries over night and have them load tested. Plus whether you have to replace them or not its always a good idea to check that the batteries are getting 14 volts back to them while running.It may not entirely be the batteries fault.

 

My charger is fried so time to see if a buddy has one I can use!! After pricing some batteries I am damn sure hoping I can get this back from the dead!! $116 for ONE!!??? Didn't these things used to be like $40-55????!! Geez!!!

 

Yea on the old 14 amp batteries they were pretty cheap at one time,but on the 800 a 30 amp battery isn't cheap along with the new maintenance free 14 amp batteries that Polaris has gone to. You can do some price comparisons on some if you need batteries,but some out there are just junk. Just my on this one: Yuasa and Interstate are still about the best on oem replacement,plus we sold quite a few Bikemaster batteries which were a lot better than the old Everstart from Walmart.Again just my opinion only! Some people may have had good luck with em. Seems like I had stacks of Everstart batteries that we had picked up from time to time. Price some of the newer gel batteries,Optima or the newer lithium batteries if you want a shock..

 

OPT, I have another question on the battery. I threw mine on a 40amp quick charge for about 3 hours. I let it sit a couple minutes after. I know this isn't enough to bring it back from the dead, I just wanted to check progress.

The battery sits in the battery tray still, but isn't connected to anything. When I put the meter on it I get a degrading reading. It was around 6-volts but if I leave the meter on the battery I can actually watch it fall. I disconnect it and return in a few minutes it has fallen a lot.

So before I spend 7-8 hours trying to revive this battery, does this reading indicate anything to you (or anyone else)? Seems to me the battery draining so fast, it may have a fried plate or something...

 

Sounds like this battery is toast. A good slow charge is best,but it still should not be dropping like this.

 

It's one of those things where I am borrowing a charger and need to get two batteries juiced as fast as possible. I would even do this one overnight...if I knew it was holding the charge!!

I have it connected to the 400 battery now... That was 6.07 volts before I juiced it. However, when the key was on none of the lights would power up including the dash. I would think at 6 volts the lights would come on. Dimly, of course, but work.

 

If you have a 2004 400 you will have a 20 amp main fuse also in a plastic pouch close to the battery. Check that you have power to each side plus you can slice the pouch open and see if the terminals might be corroded. This breaker allows power to the instruments,lights,etc. I'm kinda like you that the instruments should at least be a little dim,but if this breaker is faulty,then it wouldn't have power. Just thinking out loud again.....