Have 2008 Sportsman 500 HO - carb edition

1) Starter won't work with key. Starter will work if I jump solenoid so bought new solenoid and same problem. When you try with key sometimes the dash turns off or will just stay lit up and do nothing.

2) Low beam lights on rack don't work

3) Winch stopped working - Polaris black unit. Priced new solenoid, but after starter experience not in hurry to waste more money without troubleshooting.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Site looks awesome...

 

Maybe , ignition switch?, start at the battery and check all connections, sounds like maybe a bad ground,

 

was thinking something like that, have had similar issues with cars when bad connection at battery, will keep pulling wires off/cleaning/and tighting...

thanks again for the quick response.

 

I had the same problem with my 08 . Small ground wire on the starter and ground wire on the lights . Both were bad connections that pulled free . I grounded both to the frame now it will start in gear .

 

where abouts would I find the ground wire for the lights? Is it at the headlight assembly or further back in the harness? The starter wire I can probably figure out since the starter is near the battery and not too much in between them...
thanks,

 

Mine was the high beem . First the ground pulled loose then a while later the hot wire . Both were in the pod

 

What about you needing a new battery ? The stock batteries are not gel and will require maintenance thus you pulling them out topping up with distilled water . If you have done no battery maintenance your battery could be toast .

 

update:
repaired torn winch wire harness on steering shaft
topped up battery and recharged
took to dealer, found bad ignition switch and broken starter signal wire between switch and battery area
needs left hand light, etc. switch for low beams
needs recoil for broken cog for pull start