Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Polaris Ranger Question

Thought I'd get more help if I posted this here instead of down in the cellar....

I have a 2006 Ranger 500 non efi. Runs great and has given me no problems. I have a dual battery setup and keep them trickle charged in the off season. Today I fired it up easily, and started down the road just to run it a little bit. Got about 100 yds from the house and it died, acting like it was starved for gas. However, when I tried to start it again, it acted as if the batteries were dead, which they weren't as they were both fully charged. When I try to crank it, it still acts like batteries are dead.

Where and what should I check first, and how to proceed? Thanks for the help....I'm obviously no mechanic.


Edited to add......both batteries show 11.3v on meter.

I’d look at the fuse box if it acts like no fire.

Check negative battery cable first

11 is not charged.

I would charge them up and try again after checking cables.

Dems batteries iz ded.

I agree. How old are the batteries.

You took them off the charger and had enough juice for one start. Put some new ones in and get to riding.

I have an 07 that had the same problem and it had a bad ground. Sorry I don't remember where it was at, but my polaris buddy fixed it.

My Ranger seems to go through batteries like I go through underwear! Only thing I can figure is I don’t use it enough in winter with no cows to feed.

If you were checking the voltage at the battery, then it is a battery problem. That's where I'd start. if you charged them a long time then the batteries are probably bad. Check them if you've got a checker. If not head to the battery place and have them check them.

Sounds like a faulty turbo encabulator.

Whats a polaris ranger? Is it a Ford?

I had the worst luck with batteries in my 2009 until switching to Odyssey.

Going on 5 years on this pair.

Batteries is dead. Are they new(er)?? If not, time for new. If new, check your cables, to make sure you’re getting enough contact for the charging system to work. I’ve had good luck with Yuasa. Put the electrlyte in, do NOT charge for the first 24 hours, then charge fully, and use for 4-5 years. Those batteries are $120 each.

PS Get you one of those lithium jump starter battery packs off of Amazon/eBay. They’ll start a full-size truck. Handy to have when miles from home...

On my ranger, i had to replace the battery. Stick thru the OEm. On the 2014 it’s under the driver seat. Kinda unprotected.


Upgraded to a small car battery. AGM.

No problems since.

11.3 V is deader than a hammer. Read the state of charge chart below. Sometimes, when it acts like the battery, it’s the battery.

Battery state of charge

I have two light bars on this, one is about 15" that replaced the pathetic headlights, and the one of the roof is a 42. They burn very bright as they should when the switch is on and key is off like they're supposed to. How can lights work as they're suppposed to with batteries dead? I appreciate the help.

Sometimes, a bad battery can fire up lights/etc, but not something like a starter, that requires REALLY high amperage. Stick a car battery, and give it a go, or get a screwdriver and jump the posts on your starter, to go around the solenoid.

Could be something else, but if your batteries are only checking out at 11 volts, you gotta start there. That ain’t right....

We took the battery that came from the factory out and built a battery box for a regular battery.

The Ranger has a lot of external lights on it and it has been wonderful.

The little batteries just don't last.