Folks,
I was hoping to be able to tell you a good experience about my new SP700 I just got. Well... As I was backing it down the ramp off of my truck, it went dead. No problem. When I hit the starter again it just kept on turning even with everything off except the fuel. Key, run/off lever, everything! I finally got it to quit by taking off the hot wire on the battery. It turned for about a minute and half or two before I got the battery cable off. Once I got it off the ramp I tried touching the hot wire to the battery. Once again- even with everything off- it started turning. I finally got it to crank for about 3 seconds a few times by touching the battery cable to the battery. Yes- the fuel switch is on and has remained on since I got it. What the hell's going on here? The damn dealer is 3 1/2 hrs away. It's the carb version. Not the EFI.

lvl1trauma

 

That is very unusual! I would call the dealer and tell them what is going on. I really dont know what else to tell you. You could check the spark plug. Maybe the starter wire is bad. Did you check the battery wires to see if they are conected properly? If none of this helps you, try contacting Polaris and they should give you assistance.

 

The starter wires were very firmly planted on the battery. I didn't take the side panels off. It was dark and I was pissed. Not a good combo for doing constructive/diagnostic things. I will fool with it tomorrow. Looks like the starter is on the top front of the motor. Should be easy to get to. I sure as heck don't want to have to take it anywhere. It is going to take several people to push it into the back of my F-250 4x4 due to height. I even waited about 30 minutes for the starter to cool off and went into the garage to look at it again. The starter still fired when I put the hot cable on the battery.

Lvl1trauma

 

Mine did that once. I think I keyed the starter switch and it stopped. Has not done it since. Sounds like a stuck solenoid. I think lack of use maybe caused it. Mine was made in November and I bought it in March. Good luck.

 

sounds like a bad switch to me

 

Hey Trauma,

Sorry to here about the problem. Let us know how it works out.

But you must keep this vehwry, vehwry quiet. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. If Bomber from the Kaw site hears about this we're all screwed. I know, I know, screw that pig! Well, I'm with you on that. But then the Yamaha boys will come and stir things up. This doesn't just look bad on paper - it is bad. They let us down on this one my man. Not that a search on the Yam or Kaw site wouldn't find the same things happening to them - because it does, and worse.

Not trying to start a flame here. I just think it's too late for that - hunker down and we'll circle the wagons.

Lukester

 

By chance the gas valve is on but does it have GAS?

i did that once... even took it to the dealer since it said full on tehguage..

deal replaced teh guage and all is good again.

 

It's got gas. I filled it up on the way home. I fooled with it this am. No change. I can get it to run for about 5 seconds before it dies. The gas switch is on. I even turned it off and tried to make sure that it wasn't screwed up. There is something else wrong than the starter. Sort of a bummer. When I decided to buy I threw out brand bias. I trolled around a bunch of forums and test drove different machines for about 2 or 3 months before I bought. You just don't see common problems with Polaris like you do other brands. What I mean is go to the Kawajunkie or Arctic cat forums and all they are talking about is the belts. Gee whiz, man. If I am going to plunk down 7 grand for a bike than it damn well better work without having to constantly screw with the belt or put in an aftermarkit kit to make the belt not slip.

Lvl1Trauma

 

Well I just got off of the phone with the dealer. He said to take the left panel off and tap on the cylanoid and it should quit. He also said that about half of the new 700's have the starter stick. He said it is really bad on the 500's. They just do it once and never again. Interesting... I will try that when I get home.

Lvl1trauma

 

Sounds like a reasonable answer...let us know how it goes.