How to Replace the Battery on a Polaris Sportsman 400
by Chris Gilliland
Operating a Polaris Sportsman 400 all-terrain vehicle (ATV) with a faulty battery can leave you stranded in the wilderness, should it discharge completely. Replacing the battery as soon as it exhibits signs of a diminished charge, such as starting difficulties and reduced lighting effectiveness, can prevent this from happening. Unlike most ATVs, which house their batteries below the rider's seat, the Sportsman 400 stores its battery behind a splash cover under the right-rear fender. In most cases, you can extract and replace the battery, using common tools, within 15 minutes.
Step 1
Turn the ATV's handlebars completely to the right to provide access to the right-front fender. Pull the splash guard off the interior of the right-front fender to reveal the battery.
Step 2
Pull the left side cover, positioned below the rider's seat, off the ATV's body to access the battery support bracket.
Step 3
Unscrew the bolt at the base of the battery support bracket, using a socket wrench. Pull the bracket away and lift the battery cover off the battery.
Step 4
Unscrew the battery's negative wire bolt, followed by the positive wire bolt, using a Philips screwdriver. Pull the battery out of the battery compartment through the opening on the interior of the right-front fender.
Step 5
Insert a new battery into the battery compartment. Screw the positive wire bolt into place, followed by the negative wire bolt, using a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 6
Reinstall the left side cover and the right fender splash covers, pushing the pins on the back of the covers into the rubber grommets on the ATV's body.
References
- "The Professional Motorcycle Repair Program"; Professional Career Development Institute; 1995
- "Polaris Sportsman 400 Owner's Manual"; Polaris Industries; 2008
Things You'll Need
- Socket wrench
- Phillips screwdriver
- 12-volt 14 amp-hour battery
Writer Bio
An avid motorcyclist, Chris Gilliland has immersed himself into the two-wheeled world while balancing work life and raising three daughters. When he is not managing the parts department of a local, multi-line motorcycle dealership, Gilliland can often be found riding, writing or working on his motorcycle blog, Wingman's Garage.
