[igxqrrl]

Hi! I did some searching but couldn't find the answer to my question...

I have a 2011-ish Grizzly 550. Maybe a year or two older. Recently it has not been starting.

The battery reads 13V. I keep it on a battery tender, which reports full charge. When I hit the start button, it turns over a couple times then just gives a very rapid click, like the gear wheel isn't engaging. All accessories are off (I have a winch and aux lights)

If I hook a jump starter up to it, it fires right up and stays running. After driving a bit it'll usually get one more start before it's back where it was.

I'm assuming since the jumpstarter will kick it, it's not the solenoid nor the starter. Is it possible for a battery that reads healthy voltage to not be kicking out enough amperage? Do I need to replace the battery in this case?

Sorry for the basic question.. I'm more of an ATV user than mechanic!

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[Spheno]

Is it holding a charge after you try to start it a couple times? Or is it just reading 13v after you pull it off of the battery tender? If its the original battery I'd say it's due for a new one just to be on the safe side.

 

[PA. GRIZZLY]

Are your battery terminals tight and clean?

 

[Rollin]

Based on the fact that is starting when is jumped I'd say your battery is bad.
Voltage readings alone are not always indicative of a good battery. A load tester is needed for that. If you don't have one take it to any auto store or walmart and have it tested. Also make sure your charging system works well - when running you should see voltage of 14+ V and over at the battery terminals.

 

[okbear]

Based on the fact that is starting when is jumped I'd say your battery is bad.
Voltage readings alone are not always indicative of a good battery. A load tester is needed for that. If you don't have one take it to any auto store or walmart and have it tested. Also make sure your charging system works well - when running you should see voltage of 14+ V and over at the battery terminals.

Agreed. Have the battery load tested. From what you describe, your cranking amps are low. Also agree that if this is wth original battery, just go get a new one and consider yourself lucky it lasted this long! 6 or 7 years for an atv battery is excellent!

 

[igxqrrl]

Thanks all, that makes sense. I had a voltmeter across the terminals when starting and the voltage drops way down, like to 6V, while cranking. That seems pretty low so makes sense that the battery is finally toast! It does show about 14V while in use so I think the charging system is OK.

I was surprised because it went downhill very quickly.. worked absolutely fine a few weeks ago and this just started happening in the last week or so.

Thanks again! I'll get a new battery.

 

[okbear]

I've had them work fine one day and not the next. Sometimes they don't give much warning.