My Dad has a 2013 Polaris Ranger 500 EFI that won't start. It's getting spark (old plug and replacement), fuel is coming out of the injector, the air filter is clean, and it tested to approximately 94 psi of compression (grok says 50-90 is normal for these engines due to a decompression system). The starter and battery operate normally. Anyone run into a similar issue or have any ideas?

I had a '12 full size. It was first year being built in US. When manufacturing moved they reduced wire size in the harness, this affected power to sensors, according to some mechanics off the record. I took it to 5 different dealers for a total of 12 trips to get problem fixed. The problem they said was throttle body sensor(s) failing due to the wiring change.
I have no idea if they ever did anything to fix this malfunction but it happened to both 12's the family bought. Before 13 and after all those trips to repair I traded in for a 12 Diesel. Still running now with over 7000 hours on it.

Only thing I'd add is you might disconnect battery for about 10-15 minutes or a cup of coffee, and see if computer resets.

I'd bet the injector is delivering fuel but not what is needed to fire?

dtkprowler said:

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I'd bet the injector is delivering fuel but not what is needed to fire?

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I've wondered the same, but it looks like a decent amount of fuel with each pulse, just don't know what it's supposed to be. We tried a new injector, but it didn't work at all.

Thanks, that sensor could be the problem, but you'd think it would start with spark and fuel being introduced regardless of throttle position. I'm wondering if the timing could be off somehow.

Only semi related as in defective electronics but my truck would occasionally not start due to Defective fuel fail pressure sensors that were really a part of the exhaust def garbage. Temporary fix was to disconnect batteries for a bit. After it would fire right up. Got me home several times before the delete fixed it.
Good luck.

I'm going to try the battery disconnect later today and see if that works. Thanks guys!

Guessing an interlock with the sensors as well. De energizing is the first step to reset everything.
Good luck.

The only problem I have ever had with my ranger 500 of a similar vintage was a bad fuel pump. I bought a new one for $100 on amazon. Super easy to change.

I had similar issues with my 800 Ranger a couple years older than the OP's. My problem turned out to be (exactly like deeredude said) the wiring harness connections to the crankshaft position sensor. It has been a while back but at the time I found several videos about harness quality problems. Mine was a broken wire getting intermittent continuity about 8" from the sensor. I found it by unwrapping the harness and working back.

I should add that I diagnosed this AFTER I had already installed new injectors and AND high pressure fuel pump, all of which were perfectly fine after all. Someone above mentioned timing - on all these electronic engines the thing that keeps the injection and spark in time are the crank or cam position sensors. Question - do you get the flashing wrench on the cluster? If so, I think you can enter a diagnostic mode and retrieve some 3 numeral codes to help.

I have a 2012 800 Ranger. Runs great until it gets to temp after driving constantly. Will act like it's got a fuel restriction or gets a kill signal and dies. Will not start back up. Has to sit for 5-10 minutes. Will start up and run great anywhere from a few seconds to a couple minutes then die again the same way(like a fuel restriction or it gets a kill signal). Has left me stranded on several far out areas. After it sits overnight it starts up and runs great for an hour then starts cutting out. I've taken it to the dealer, independent shops and no luck. Replaced injectors and fuel pump. Are there certain wires I should check on the harness? Thanks for any help or videos you've watched.

AggieRuss said:

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I have a 2012 800 Ranger. Runs great until it gets to temp after driving constantly. Will act like it's got a fuel restriction or gets a kill signal and dies. Will not start back up. Has to sit for 5-10 minutes. Will start up and run great anywhere from a few seconds to a couple minutes then die again the same way(like a fuel restriction or it gets a kill signal). Has left me stranded on several far out areas. After it sits overnight it starts up and runs great for an hour then starts cutting out. I've taken it to the dealer, independent shops and no luck. Replaced injectors and fuel pump. Are there certain wires I should check on the harness? Thanks for any help or videos you've watched.

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That's pretty much what mine did some of the time.

I can't for certain diagnose if your issue was same as mine - but if that question was for me then I will offer a video that was very helpful in my situation. I can't believe I found it after years - but I'm almost certain this is the same video that set me on the path to a successful repair.

My Ranger would spit and sputter and eventually just die. Sometimes it would just die. Not start. Then go like hell and repeat. Not exactly what the OP is experiencing, but similar to what you've described. I offered it to the OP to backup deerdude - Rangers of this vintage have KNOWN wiring problems. You just have to find them.

In my case I found a dogknot in the harness not far from the crank sensor where the harness manufacturer had doubled a wire back…. That wire broke right on the spot. I soldered it and it's worked fine since. Some people report similar issues on the branch of the same harness to the TBAB, TMAP or whatever they call their version of MAF sensor. (Usually that one less likely to cause a 'no start' condition). HTH.

Awesome! Thank you. What you described from yours is exactly what mine does. The only good that came from it stranding me the 3rd and last time was I went that day and bought a brand new RZR 1000 XP. It's been amazing but my ranger is in great shape except for the running issue. Thanks again for the advice and video!