Ok so I am looking for some advice here before i just throwing money at parts. This is whats happening, when i turn the key to start, it doesnt crank over but i do get a click in the solinoid, it will start sometimes if i hold the key to start for about 4-5 seconds, but that is like a 70/30 that it wont. i am getting 13 volts at the battery and to the cable going into the solinoid, at the starter it looks like it is only getting 1 volt, but i may be doing it wrong.
I am thinking it is the solinoid, but before i go spend the $85 for it i would like some other opionions. and if it is that, does any one know where i can get one cheaper than the dealer. it looks like the same solinoid as like an 85 ford pick up

fyi... it is a 2004.5 sportsman 600

 

Try jumping the posts on the solenoid repeatedly. If the starter turns over consistently on each attempt then I would suspect the solenoid is bad. That's the easiest way I know to confirm your problem.

 

ok so i just jumped it over and with the key on the on postion, it cranked over, but not with the key off when i jumped the 2 terminals, so do i have this right that the solinoid is bad. wich is what i thought all along. anyone know if there is a substitue for it. you know what maybe i will get one and see if it works, anyone thing that would be problem if i tried a comman one from an older car.

 

if you jumped the 2 big cables onthe solenoid and the bike cranks over and starts w/ the key turned on and it doesn't crank when you try it w/ the key only, then yes the solenoid is bad or there isn't any power going to it when the key is turned. although you said it did just click when you turned the key on so it should have power going through it.

 

Try cleaning both the battery and solenoid cables, before buying parts.

 

I would try to see if the solenoid can be dismantled and the contacts clened before I bought I new one--what have you got to loose.

 

i am not sure if that solenoid on yoru bike can be took apart if i recall i think it is a sealed solenoid. i had the same trouble one time but my solenoid was weak and not blown. i took my starter off and cleaned it up it was really dirty inside.. then i tried my started on a booster pack and it worked fine.. before i cleaned it the starter was sticking. i installed the starter and it worked fine and had been every since (about 2 years)

 

So what's the verdict? Interested minds want to know!