I have a 2008 Sportsman 500 EFI Touring. Last weekend I go out to start it and all I get is click click click. Battery is putting out nearly 14 volts. Voltage regulator is newish, and I think working fine. I have determined it is the starter. I will pull it to bench test, but even banging on it with a hammer does nothing. Pull starts just fine. I’m fairly confident in the diagnosis of a dead starter.

Call the local Polaris shop… $350 for an OEM Polaris starter. :wtf:?? I can buy a starter for a 7.4L diesel cheaper than that! Look on eBay, and they’re anywhere from $35 to $100. How can there be THAT huge of a gap?? It can’t be that it’s because the Polaris one is Made in USA, and the eBay ones are from over the pond. That would be ridiculous, right? (Sarcasm)

Does anyone know if there is enough of a difference to spend $300 more on the OEM vs aftermarket? I’ve read that people have good enough luck with the DB Electrical on eBay…. found theirs for $55.

What a racket.

Don’t even get me started on the PITA it is to even get TO the starter, let alone remove it. I’m bound and determined to do it WITHOUT pulling the primary. That may be wishful thinking.

Should I do the gear reduction too?

Thoughts?