I have a 1999 Polaris Sportsman 500 4x4. For a few years when i start my wheeler the starter has a "lag" sound for about a second or two after the engine cranks. it stops after that and never gives anymore trouble. Now when i go to start it i hit the electric start and it will almost half crank and then stop as if the battery is dead. i let off the button and hit it again and it may or may not start. it is more of a hit and miss, usually 2 or 3 times of hitting the button and it will start. it is getting worse and worse and i am having to pull start it if the wheeler sits for a day or two.
the lights burn bright and the battery is new, so i don't think it is that. does this sound like the starter finally went bad? or could it be the bendex i have been reading about? thanks

 

it could be the bendix. does the motor spin every time you hit the button or does it bog down and sound like a dead battery?

 

it does sound like the starter is the issue wheather its wearing out or got some mud/dirt in there and needs to be cleaned. maybe you could just take it off and take alook and maybe even rebuild it when you have it off. imo.

 

See page 106 of the current (April 09) issue of Rider Magazine--their Tech editor gives a great run-down on the procedures to determine if the problem is starter, battery, starter solenoid (bendix), starter switch, etc.

 

thanks for the replies.
when i hit the starter button, i noticed the lights on my console bog down and the starter itself will hit and then stop and nothing will happen until i release the button and hit it again, it will then either start or completely do nothing until i release and do it again. it will always half hit or so but i usually have to pull start it.

 

if the starter is lagging(also know as dragging) when you try to start it it will require more then normal power and which will seem like the battery is low and other things might even get power taken away like lights. make sure the push botton switch isnt an issue as well being dirty/corroded and loosing contact.

 

thanks guys,
i will just make a day and take the switch apart as well as the starter and try cleaning it all to see if that will help.
as far as the rider magazine write up on page 106 KQ400Pilot, the local stores do not have it here for some reason, anyway you can post what it says or PM me? thanks

UPDATE: i found that the symptoms only occur on the intial start. once the 4 wheeler is warmed up a minute, i don't really have an issue but every once in a while when riding. once it sits over night, it acts up again. any ideas???

 

it still could be a mositure issue preventing contact. still would at least clean it up.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: polarisbear500


as far as the rider magazine write up on page 106 KQ400Pilot, the local stores do not have it here for some reason, anyway you can post what it says or PM me? thanks



Call your local library; they may have a subscription. As a "plan B", I'll scan the article tomorrow, and send it to you as a pdf.

 

I had a bad starter on a 700 that was dragging,I found the pilot bearing in the nose cone was gone from water getting in,that caused the armature to torqe and drag on magnets.