I got a 2005 ATP 500 Ho. the problem is there is sometimes no electrical power, but the battery is fully charged. when I turn the ignition to on sometimes the VDO lights up and she'll start no problem, but sometimes I turn the key and the VDO doesn't light up and the ATV won't start. Even pull start won't work! I can usually walk away from it for a half hour to an hour and the VDO will light up and the ATV will start. Oh yah the tachometer isn't working either (don't know if this matters). I have also tried to jump the starter and she'll turn over but still won't start. I never use the kill switch so I don't think that is the problem. Has anyone had this problem??? Does anyone have any suggestions??

Thanks alot in advace for replies;

Rubber ****

 

Several things come to mind: First, you may have a faulty ignition switch or wire that is intermittently causing no power to exit the switch to anything or you may have a relay that is sticking---I only say this because you mentioned that you have left it with the switch on and after some time the display appeared and it worked. Also, most of the electrical goes through the pod. My buddies' 800 just killed one time and we took apart the pod and found one of the ignition connectors loose, put it together no probs. since

 

thanks for the advice, I'll try that tomarrow

 

If anyone cares I tested for power at the battery 13.5 volts same with the solinoid that goes to the starter and accessory wires and got 13.5 volts as well. Then took apart the pod and couldn't find a constant power anywhere. I then opened up the front and found that I had a constant power going into the ECM but couldn't find and power coming out. This could have been a coincedence but when I was taping the ECM it would power up the VDO and everything would work. So with this being said I'm orering a new ECM and will see if this solves the problem. I will post my results once i can get the new part and test it. Also if anyone has any other suggestions they are very much welcome as I'm waiting about a week for the ECM to come in, and it hurts to see my baby imobilized.

 

You might want to check the kill switch. I just got stranded in the bush and had to walk out 7 miles. But now have the quad in my shop. I had lots of juice at the battery and nothing anywhere else. After checking everything else I decidd to check the kill switch on the left hand handel bar. I pulled it apart and jumped the teminals on the plate where the kill switch tabs contact to. Well what do ya know the kill switch was faulty. Well I am just trying to find a way to bypass the kill switch and then we can do away with that portion of it.
Oh ya I figured out a way to solve all polaris problems... Buy a Honda !

 

Thanks for the input! I don't think it's the kill switch but I'm runnin outa things to check so i'll check it. As for buying a Honda ................................ hmmmmm let me think... uh NOPE! Maybe a car / dirt bike, not an ATV.

 

The newer kill switches will go bad quickly if you use extra lights or any other power accessories that pulls a lot of power.

I have seen this happen many times.

If you use no such accessories then your kill switch is most likely OK.


A friend has two 05 Polaris 500's. They both fried the ECM on the same day. We never did figure that one out.

 

Thanks I'll for sure check that out as it seemed fine with just the winch and after the hand and thumb warmer is when it started to hapen.

 

Thanks Cornbread2. I never knew that about the kill switchs going south if you used to many accessories. I have done the headlight mod to mine and all the light are on when the high beams are on. Maybe that has something to do with it.
Do you know of a way to bypass the kill switch. I don't think it is really needed anyway when you already have a key that shuts everything off.

 

Yes you can bypass the switch because I did it to mine after it melted. It has been about a year since I did it so I don't remember the details.

I do remember that if you take the switch apart you will wish you had not done so. It is a pain to ever put back togather.