Answer
Sep 15, 2025 - 07:12 PM
If the kill switch on your Polaris Sportsman 700 twin ain’t doing its job, here’s what I’d start checking:
- Bad switch contacts – Over time, corrosion or dirt can get in there. Pop the switch housing open and inspect or clean the contacts.
- Broken or loose wiring – The kill switch circuit is pretty basic, but if a wire came loose at the handlebars or down near the CDI/ECU, it won’t do squat.
- Faulty ground – A weak or missing ground connection can mess with the whole kill circuit. Make sure all ground wires are tight and clean.
- Damaged ignition module or CDI – In some cases, the switch is doing its job, but the signal’s not reaching the ignition module. You’d need to test continuity from the switch to the module to be sure.
- Previous owner bypassed it – Yep, wouldn’t be the first time someone deleted or rigged the kill switch out of the loop and forgot to mention it.
If you got a multimeter, I’d start by testing the switch for continuity when it’s pressed. Then trace the wires back and check for voltage drop or broken leads. If you want the exact wiring layout, the service manual for the Sportsman 700 will walk you through it with diagrams and test steps. It will cover more details on the troubleshooting procedures than what we can explain here.
Feel free to let us know the model year of your Sportsman 700 so we can assist you further.
