First problem since purchase 12/99. Starter motor isn't turning over. I notice that the lights only work while the bike is running and will not with just the key on. Thank God for the recoil start [first time using this in three years] Any suggestions would help!

BOB

'00 Sportsman 500 , '00 sport 400 (Stolen)
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Take it to the dealer quick...don't run the bike untill you get it fixed...you will cause more problems...

 

I had the same thing happen to my 01 sportsman. Rode it all day (90 miles), and no problems. Shut it off at the end of the ride and then when I tried to start it again, nothing. There was exactly no power to anything with the key and run switch in the "on" positions. Tried the recoil and it fired right up. At idle, the speedo light would flicker and the headlights were extremely dim, but at high rpms everything worked fine. If it hadn't been dark, it probably would have taken me a while to diagnose the problem. Turns out that the smaller of the two red (hot) wires coming off the the solenoid under the seat near the battery had been rubbed in two pieces. After 2,000 miles, of rubbing on the frame, it finally broke robbing it of electricity. Luckily it was dark and a riding buddy saw an arc of light when we fire it up with the recoil. Just connected it back together and zip tied it out of the way and have had no problems since. Hopefully your fix will be that easy.

 

If you run it like this the power surge will blow EVERY bulb on the thing.Either like the previous reply or your battry just trashed out on you.