Troubleshooting Polaris Ranger 800 Crew No Start
When a side-by-side encounters hard starts or won’t start at all, most of the time the battery is to blame. Troubleshooting a Polaris Ranger 800 Crew that won’t start is pretty straightforward.
Watch the video above and follow the tips below to troubleshoot problems with a Polaris UTV that won’t start.
NOTE: We used a Polaris Ranger 800 Crew, but the process for troubleshooting starting problems is the same or similar for all makes and models of UTV.
Tools Needed – Polaris UTV No-Start Troubleshooting
Multimeter
A decent digital multimeter is an essential tool every side-by-side owner should have. It’ll come in handy not just for your UTV, but also for use on other vehicles and for electrical problems around your house.
Battery Tester
A battery tester could be expensive, but if your fleet comprises more than just your UTV, it's a diagnostic tool that will pretty much pay for itself.
Smart Battery Charger or Battery Tender
A smart battery charger can charge any type of battery, including the new lithium batteries commonly found on powersports machines. However, a smart charger could be pricey. A battery tender, on the other hand, is more affordable but takes longer to charge a battery. It’s capable of keeping a battery charged and in good health when it’s not in use, perfect for when a UTV is in storage.
Troubleshooting Polaris Ranger Crew No Start - Voltage Reading
The first step to troubleshoot a UTV battery is to take a voltage reading. Set your multimeter to DC volts, then connect the multimeter to the positive and negative battery terminals. The reading should be 12.5 volts or above. If the reading is below 12.5 volts but above 6 or 7 volts, the battery might still be serviceable. However, if the reading is below 6 volts, it’s more than likely the battery is done and will need to be replaced. Either way, the next step is to try charging the battery.
Troubleshooting Polaris Ranger Crew No Start - Charge the Battery
Connect the battery to a battery charger, and leave it charging for a couple of hours. Once the battery has been charged, take another voltage reading. If the voltage reading is 12.5 volts or above, the battery is fully charged and is good to go. However, if the reading is still below 12 volts, the battery is no longer serviceable and will need to be replaced.
Troubleshooting Polaris Ranger No Start - Test the Battery
Connect the battery to a powersports battery tester to accurately diagnose whether the battery is in good or bad health. If the diagnosis shows the battery is still healthy, try charging it some more and then taking another voltage reading. However, if the diagnosis shows the battery is no longer healthy, it’s time to get a new one.
Troubleshooting Polaris Ranger No Start - Preparing a New Battery
Your Polaris UTV’s new battery will need to be filled with electrolyte and then charged. Remove the caps from the top of the battery, then press the electrolyte bottle onto the battery and let all the electrolyte drain into it.
Next, remove the bottle and reseal the battery. Connect the battery to a battery charger, and let it charge for several hours. Once the new battery is charged, take a voltage reading to make sure it’s fully charged. The reading should be at least 13 volts.
Troubleshooting Polaris Ranger No Start - Installing a New Battery
To install the new battery, remove the negative wire from the battery terminal first, then remove the positive wire to avoid grounding out the positive on the vehicle. Release the battery strap, then remove the old battery, install the new battery and secure it with the battery strap. Connect the positive wire to the battery terminal first, then connect the negative wire.
If your side-by-side is not starting because of problems with the electrical system, watch the video below to see how to diagnose charging system problems on a Polaris UTV.
