We've got a 2000 SP 500 RSE and it doesnt like batteries. We replaced it once and it worked for a few months. Then we replaced it again, and the battery wont charge at all. Batteries are brand new OEM from the dealer. Started it up the other day, (pull start since bat was dead) and let it run for about 20 minutes. Shut it off and couldnt get it to turn over. No lights, no dash lights, nothing. I tested the wire coming into the battery before and got around 4.5 volts but I wansnt sure how much it was supposed to have so I didnt worry about it, just glad I was getting current. I'm thinking its a stator issue. I've searched through the forums and found that lots of people seem to be having similar problems. One was fixed by a bad connection to the cdi, another was a grounded wire, and another required a new stator. I'm kind of at a loss at this point, the connections all seem to be good and I cant find any wires grounding out or bad connections. I really dont want to take this in and get it fixed but I dont know what else to do. Any help would be appreciated.

BTW, I have a 99 xpress 300 with the same problem, battery wont hold a charge very long. I replaced that one once too.

Machines arent ridden much, but even with new batteries in them they dont seem to last very long. I've hooked them up to a battery charger and that doesnt seem to help at all.

 

You should be getting anywhere from 12+ volts to about 14.5 volts from the charging system while the quad is running. If your voltage is lower than that, it's a possible stator or regulator/rectifier problem.

 

Thanks easy, and welcome to the forums. Next time I get a chance I'll be sure to check the current again.