I am new on this forum and was hoping I could get some assistance with my 2001 Polaris Sportsman 400 which is over heating. I was told this could be a battery issue but I have a new battery installed recently. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Cant run it for more than 10 minutes before it overheats.

 

Does the fan cycle on? Could be as simple as air in the system. Elevate the front end with tires off the ground,leave the radiator cap open and purge any trapped air from the system. Top it off and replace the cap. Check for any leaks especially around the bottom of the water pump.

 

Thanks. Im not sure if the fan cycles on or not. Im not very mechanically inclined. This actually my Mothers ATV and she has had it in the shop 3 times over the last 2 years with many different problems and some big bills to boot.My father passed away recently so I cant discuss these issues with him to try and resolve the over heating problem. I will try what you mentioned.

 

how high do I need to elevate it?

 

Sorry for your loss. Lift just enough to get the front tires off the ground.Let it run,bleeding any trapped air may solve the problem,but if the fan doesn't come on before it over heats it could be a corroded 10 amp fan circuit breaker in a sealed pouch under the front panel. Easiest way to tell is to see if it has power on each side of the red wire coming in and out of the pouch with a simple test light. If it doesn't you can slice the pouch open and check for corrosion.This breaker is available at most auto stores.Look close under the water pump area for any seepage from the water pump seal if the coolant level is low also. Along with trapped air and the circuit breaker another cause could be a shorted out radiator sensor.This sensorcompletes the circuit for the fan. Item #20. Dirt Cheap Yamaha, Honda, Arctic Cat & Polaris OEM Parts & Accessories – Cycle Parts Warehouse
Circuit breaker item #3.Dirt Cheap Yamaha, Honda, Arctic Cat & Polaris OEM Parts & Accessories – Cycle Parts Warehouse

 

Sounds like the fan isn't coming on till it cools down from what im told

 

Just take it one step at a time when you have time to look at the machine. Still could be trapped air, the fan circuit breaker or the radiator sensor.

 

Thank you very much once again. When you say the pouch? Do you mean the pouch is under the front end somewhere. I must sound completely stupid but im not familiar with the ATV world as far as repairs go.

 

Also make sure the fan works, unplug the two wire going to fan and jump a 12v source to them and see if the fan spins.
That's would be my first step.

 

Yes the plastic pouch under the front panel,but you can also check as tlc said about making sure the fan motor itself is working properly by pulling the fan connector and applying 12 volts directly from a jumper battery. You said you were told the fan came on late after over heating.Could be the circuit breaker, trapped air,radiator sensor or even a weak fan motor armature. You can tell real quick if the fan runs constant and doesn't slow down. Just take it one step at a time.