Hi,
Haven't been able to find this anywhere on the board, so here goes...
With the key on, the bike has power to the console to tell me what gear it's in and I can access the diagnostics, etc. Kill switch turns all the power off and on, as it should. Lights work, brake lights work, can hear fuel pump after key turn. Turning the key to start does nothing. No power to starter, no click from the solenoid, nothing. Tried it in park, neutral and other gears, just in case (but display console does show the correct gear the bike is in). Tried it with and without the brake lever depressed. Lights don't dim to indicate power going to a jammed starter. Voltmeter on battery shows 12.4 volts. Just in case battery was having trouble under load, added 2nd battery via booster cables. I have 11.9 volts to the plug on the solenoid when turning the key to start (so ignition circuit should be okay?), and I can jump the solenoid pins to start the bike (in any gear, as this just puts power straight to the starter). Once it's running, everything works as it's supposed to - lights 4wd, reverse override switch, all of it.
I've replaced the solenoid (twice) with same issue. I've read about issues with both the circuit breakers and the fusible link, but I think if it was either of these issues, I'd have no power at all...? So, either I'm wrong with one or more of my assumptions, or there's something going on that I haven't thought of yet. Help? Please?

 

How about load testing the battery first. If it fails replace it. Shouldn't have to take a jump box to get one started.Battery showing 12.4 volts at rest is about 75% fully charged,but if the voltage drops below 9.5 under a load the battery is weak.Look at this article on checking batteries.https://www.batterystuff.com/blog/ho...ry-is-bad.html Doesn't even matter if the battery is brand new as I've found plenty that were bad straight out of the box.Another thing to check is all connections,grounds,etc starting at the battery,solenoid,and the starter wire itself. Sometimes helps to loosen the starter wire,wiggle around to make good contact on the terminal and tighten back up.Plus once up and running make sure the regulator is sending 14-14.5 volts back to the battery.

 

Knew battery was iffy, so replaced it (even though the old one would start the bike if I jumped the solenoid). Same deal. Nothing. No click, no anything (when turning to START. But, on run, everything comes on - lights, console, everything - just like it all did before I replaced the battery). All connections good and tight.
Just got my hands on the right wiring diagram for my bike. Kept finding 2007 version, but no SSCB's that I can see on this bike. Gonna go over it and see what's different...
Thanks for the response, but no luck so far...

 

Check the fuse block as this was another problem area.Lift it up from the frame and check wires that may have partially pulled out from the pins or for corrosion.Erratic power from these have caused a lot of frustration for owners.Delphi fuse block are cheap if needed,along with other moisture resistant fuse blocks.https://www.diyautotune.com/product/...ar-fuse-block/

 

You're not getting power to the starter solenoid coil , unplug the starter solenoid and check for 12 volts when key is turned to start , I'm guessing you're missing the negative , tap a wire to the brown and ground it .

 

Missed that. If the delphi block,fuses and wiring are ok,just pull the solenoid and scrape around the mounting area on its frame and see if that's solves it.Had a couple that had to do this. If you still have problems follow the starter system flow chart in chapter 10 in this cheap manual.
2008 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI Service Manual PDF Download

 

Sorry for not coming back and posting, as the solution I found wasn't a "solution" but just a workaround. The ECU is supposed to send ground to the solenoid for "okay to start" type signal (bike in Park, or Brake depressed = "okay to start"). Continuity test said wire okay, but no joy. Grounding solenoid to frame "solved" issue (although bypasses the Bike in Park or Brake Depressed safety features). Bike now starts fine, but in any gear, without the brake requirement...

 

Grounding issues.. One of the most overlooked causes. Glad you found the problem.

 

Electrical problems are a pain in the behind. A workaround is better than nothing.

 

On my bike I made sure all the wires weren’t stripped were connected tightly check the spark plugs. I put in new fuses. I even change the oil just in case it was bad. I went into some deep water not knowing the water was deep. As soon as I did that the starter fuse popped. Then when I brought the bike back home I put a new fuse in after letting the bike dry off make sure all the plugs were drained out. Cleaned out the air filter. Clean out the air filter box. But for some reason I keep on popping the same starter fuse. I don’t know what’s going on please help.