Polaris Ranger 570 Problems – How to Diagnose & Fix Them

Are you having issues with your Polaris Ranger 570 utility vehicle? From engine knocking to electrical faults, the Polaris Ranger 570 has its fair share of common problems that owners report.
If you’re wondering why your Polaris Ranger 570 is experiencing issues like lack of power, overheating, or electrical failures, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the top reported problems with this popular UTV, how to diagnose the source, and expert troubleshooting tips to get your Ranger back on the trails.
The Polaris Ranger 570 burst onto the utility vehicle scene in 2015 as a powerful and comfortable recreational workhorse. The 570cc ProStar engine provides ample torque and speed to handle tough jobs and off-road adventures.
However, some owners of the 2015-2022 Ranger 570 models have experienced frustrating mechanical problems, many of which can leave you stranded on a ride.
By learning the most common Polaris Ranger 570 issues reported by owners and mechanics, you can proactively identify and fix problems to improve performance and reliability.
This in-depth troubleshooting guide will cover:
- The top Polaris Ranger 570 problems owners report
- How to accurately diagnose engine, transmission, electrical and other issues
- Expert tips to repair common faults and failures
- Preventative maintenance best practices
- Frequently asked troubleshooting questions
Reviewing Polaris Ranger forums and talking with certified Polaris mechanics reveals that there are a handful of problems that appear most prevalent with the Ranger 570. Here are the issues you should look out for:
Table of Contents
Engine Problems
Many Polaris Ranger 570 problems originate from the engine. Some of the most common engine issues include:
- Knocking – Many owners report a knocking or rattling sound coming from the engine, especially when accelerating or going up hills. This can indicate low oil pressure or wear on internal components like pistons or bearings.
- Lack of Power – A loss of engine power and acceleration can signal problems like clogged air filters, bad spark plugs, or issues with sensors and fuel delivery components.
- Smoking – White or blue smoke usually means the engine is burning oil, while black smoke points to rich fuel mixture issues. This may stem from leaky injectors, worn piston rings, valve problems, etc.
- Overheating – Consistent overheating can warp cylinder heads and cause engine damage over time. Common causes include faulty radiator fans/thermostats, coolant leaks, or clogged radiators.
- Oil Consumption – Burning or leaking too much oil between changes can indicate worn piston rings, valve guide seals, or other internal issues.
Electrical Problems
Electrical issues account for many common Polaris Ranger 570 problems ranging from dead batteries to starting failures. Watch for:
- Battery Drain – Parasitic battery drain is common on the Ranger 570. The battery may die after sitting for a few days. Faulty stator charging, radio draw, or wiring faults can cause excessive drain.
- Won’t Start – Corroded battery cables, bad starter motors, and loose wiring connections are top culprits for no start issues.
- No Spark – Weak ignition coil, faulty crank/cam sensors, or broken spark plug wires can prevent starting due to lack of spark.
- Electrical Failure – Blown fuses, shorts in wiring harnesses, and burnouts point to larger underlying electrical issues. Moisture ingress often contributes.
- Fault Codes – The engine computer stores trouble codes for O2 sensor, crank sensor, fuel injector problems. Read codes with an OBD-II scanner.
Transmission Problems
The Polaris Ranger 570 transmission takes a lot of abuse on rugged terrain. Some problems owners report include:
- Slipping – Belt slippage results in loss of power and acceleration. Worn or stretched CVT drive belt is the most common culprit.
- Jumping Out of Gear – Transmission popping into neutral over bumps signals worn detent springs in the gear selector mechanism.
- Leaking Fluid – Check for leaks near the clutch cover, gear selector seals, and fill plug. Top off low fluid levels.
- Grinding – Grinding noises from the transmission area can indicate worn bearings, gears, or clutch components.
- Hard Shifting – Difficulty getting into gear points to low transmission fluid, clutch drag, or detent spring issues.
Additional Common Issues
Beyond drivetrain problems, a few other frequent trouble areas include:
- Steering Wander – Loose tie rod ends, ball joints, and wheel bearings allow wandering and shimmy at high speeds.
- Overheating – Clogged radiator fins, coolant leaks, faulty water pumps, and stuck thermostats lead to engine overheating.
- Suspension Noise – Worn ball joints and bushings create front end clunking noises, especially over bumps.
- Brake Problems – Faulty calipers, air in lines, worn pads, and contaminated fluid are common braking issues.
- Fuel Delivery – Weak fuel pump, clogged injectors, and filter blockages can create hard starting and lack of power issues.
- Oil Leaks – Check for leaks at gaskets, seals, engine case mating surfaces, and drain bolt. Re-torque bolts, replace gaskets to fix.
Now that you know the most prevalent Polaris Ranger 570 problems reported, let’s go over how to accurately diagnose issues before attempting repairs.
Diagnosing Polaris Ranger 570 Problems
Determining the root cause of your Polaris Ranger 570 issue starts with methodically testing systems and components. Here are diagnostic tips:
Engine vs. Electrical vs. Transmission
Isolate whether the issue is engine, electrical, transmission, or chassis related:
- Engine – Knocking, misfire, smoking, and overheating point to engine faults. Tap into engine computer for codes.
- Electrical – Starting, battery drain, no spark, and electrical failure indicate wiring, sensor, or alternator issues.
- Transmission – Slipping, grinding, jumping from gear, and leaks mean inspecting the CVT system.
- Chassis – Loose steering, brake problems, overheating, and suspension noises relate to wear in steering/suspension parts.
Reading Error Codes
Connect an OBD-II diagnostic code reader to read engine computer fault codes. This will directly point to issues like:
- Oxygen sensor problems
- Crankshaft position sensor failure
- Camshaft sensor faults
- Fuel injector problems
Look up code meaning and follow diagnostic charts to isolate fault.
Testing Electrical Circuits
Use a multimeter to test battery charge, wiring continuity, sensor output. Check for:
- Parasitic battery drain
- Open or shorted circuits
- Faulty stator charging
- Bad solenoid/relays
- Malfunctioning sensors
Inspecting Key Components
Visually inspect key engine, drivetrain, and chassis components for issues:
- Engine – Listen for knocks, look for leaks, check compression
- Transmission – Fluid level/condition, leaks, worn clutch
- Steering – Tie rod play, loose wheel bearings
- Suspension – Ball joint tightness, strut leaks
- Cooling – Fan operation, coolant level/leaks
Test components individually to pinpoint problems before replacing complex assemblies.
Armed with the right diagnostic process, you can methodically get to the bottom of those frustrating Polaris Ranger 570 issues. Next we’ll get into specific repair tips.
Expert Tips for Repairing Common Polaris Ranger 570 Problems
While it’s best to have a certified Polaris mechanic handle major repairs, many common Ranger 570 problems can be fixed yourself with some mechanical knowledge and the right parts.
Here are expert troubleshooting and repair tips for the most prevalent issues:
Fixing Engine Noises and Loss of Power
For engine knocking noises, rattling, and loss of power issues:
- If knocking noise increases with RPMs, check for low oil level allowing piston slap. Top off oil.
- Heavier knocking at idle hints at worn main bearings. Plan for engine teardown to replace.
- Remove spark plugs and check for oil fouling indicating piston ring wear.
- Replace air filter and inspect throttle body for carbon buildup restricting air intake.
- Check fuel pressure and injector operation. Clogged injectors can cause misfires.
- Inspect timing chain tension. A loose chain can jump timing causing power loss.
Diagnosing Oil Burning and Engine Smoking
To track down oil consumption and engine smoking issues:
- Use engine compression tester to isolate leaking rings or valves on specific cylinders.
- Do oil consumption test to quantify exactly how much oil is being burned between changes.
- Check for milky residue in the oil indicating coolant mixing from bad head gasket.
- Replace PCV valve and check for clogged oil return lines back to crankcase if burning oil.
- Excessive black smoke can mean clogged air filter, bad O2 sensor, coolant leak into cylinders.
Solving Electrical Gremlins
For electrical issues like battery drain, no start, and wiring faults:
- Use multimeter to test parasitic draw on battery when vehicle is off. More than 50 milliamps indicates a short.
- Clean and tighten all battery cable connections. Replace cables if corroded.
- Check stator output with multimeter. Low amps points to bad stator not fully charging system.
- Inspect all fuses and relays. Replace any that are blown or damaged.
- Carefully inspect wiring harnesses for damage, bare wires, or shorts. Repair/replace damaged sections.
- Test operation of starter solenoid. Tap on starter to check for bad brushes/armature.
Repairing Transmission Problems
To diagnose and repair transmission issues:
- Inspect belt condition – look for cracked, brittle, or unevenly worn belts. Replace if needed.
- Check clutch spider, helix, and sheaves for wear, grooving, and proper engagement.
- Flush transmission fluid and replace filter per maintenance schedule. Inspect fluid color.
- Remove clutch cover and check for metal debris indicating internal wear or damage.
- Test shifter detent springs. Weak or broken springs allow jumping from gear.
- Adjust clutch alignment if slipping under load. May need shim washers to realign.
Replacing Worn Chassis Parts
For overheating, steering wander, brake, or suspension issues:
- Flush and pressure test cooling system to check for leaks causing overheating. Replace water pump and thermostat.
- Inspect tie rods, ball joints, wheel bearings for play indicating wear. Replace any loose components.
- Bleed brakes to remove any air in lines causing soft brake pedal. Replace worn pads/rotors.
- Check shocks and strut for leaking oil. Replace any dampers that are blown out.
- Lubricate suspension and steering linkage. Replace any bushings that are cracked or deteriorating.
While repairs take some work, following a systematic diagnostic and troubleshooting process pays off with getting your Ranger 570 back on the trails worry-free.
Preventing Future Problems With Proper Maintenance
The best way to avoid common Polaris Ranger 570 issues is staying diligent on routine maintenance and scheduled service intervals.
Here are key maintenance tips to keep your Ranger running strong long-term:
- Follow factory service schedule – Refer to your owner’s manual service chart for recommended maintenance intervals on fluid changes, filters, spark plugs, valve adjustment, and other items. Don’t skip scheduled servicing.
- Regular oil changes – Help reduce wear and internal engine damage by changing oil and filter every 100 hours or yearly, whichever comes first. Also replace transmission fluid as specified.
- Inspect air filter – Check air filter every 25 hours and replace if dirty. Clogged air filters lead to power loss and engine damage over time.
- Clean battery cables – Keep battery cable connections clean and corrosion-free to avoid hard starting and electrical issues.
- Check engine mounts – Inspect engine mounts for cracking or deterioration which can cause misalignment and undue vibration.
- Lubricate chassis – Apply marine grade grease to U-joints, prop shaft splines, and steering linkage to prevent binding and wear.
- Check coolant strength – Test coolant for proper antifreeze strength and pH annually. Refresh coolant every 2 years or 200 hours.
- Inspect brakes – Check brake fluid level monthly. Change fluid every two years to avoid moisture contamination.
Making minor repairs quickly also helps avoid bigger problems down the road. Addressing issues like oil leaks, loose steering components, weeping shocks, or transmission leaks early reduces risk of total failures that can damage other components.
While no machine is problem-free, paying close attention to your Polaris Ranger 570 and adhering to factory service recommendations goes a long way in preventing headaches.
Frequently Asked Polaris Ranger 570 Troubleshooting Questions
To wrap up this troubleshooting guide, here are direct answers to some of the most common Polaris Ranger 570 problems owners inquire about:
Q: Why does my Ranger 570 knock when giving it gas?
A: Knocking under acceleration is usually caused by low oil pressure from a failing oil pump, bad bearings, or worn rod/main bearings allowing play.
Q: What causes white or black smoke from the Ranger 570 exhaust?
A: White smoke means the engine is burning oil from bad rings, seals, or valve guides. Black smoke can signal a rich fuel mixture, bad O2 sensor, or bad injector.
Q: My Ranger overheats at low speeds but not highway driving. Why?
A: At low speeds, blocked radiator fins, fan issues, stuck thermostat can cause overheating. Highway speeds allow more air through the radiator preventing overheat.
Q: Why does my Ranger 570 battery keep dying even though it’s new?
A: Parasitic drain is common on the Ranger 570. Excessive draw when switched off can kill a new battery in days. Trace electrical fault with multimeter.
Q: What causes the Polaris Ranger transmission to jump out of gear?
A: Worn detent springs on the shift selector mechanism fail to keep transmission fully engaged. Time for detent spring replacement.
Q: How can I reset a check engine light on my Ranger 570?
A: Use an OBD2 scanner to clear engine codes after repairing the underlying issue. This will turn off the check engine light.
We hope this guide gives you confidence to tackle the most common Polaris Ranger 570 problems. While repairs take time, methodically diagnosing issues and following proper troubleshooting steps will have you back on the trails in no time. Let us know if you have any other Polaris Ranger 570 questions!
Conclusion
The Polaris Ranger 570 is a capable and versatile utility vehicle when maintained properly. But like any machine, it can suffer its share of nagging issues over time. We’ve outlined the most reported problems by owners, provided tips to accurately isolate root causes, and given repair recommendations to address problems. By being proactive with preventative maintenance and making minor repairs quickly, you’ll keep your Ranger 570 running strong for years of reliable service.
Don’t hesitate to contact a certified Polaris repair shop for major engine or transmission repairs. With the right mechanical knowledge and troubleshooting techniques, you can diagnose problems early and avoid being stranded with a broken Ranger.