Let’s be honest, figuring out the requirements to get your Polaris General ready for the road can feel like navigating a maze. You’ve got the power, the suspension, and the grit, but without the right street-legal components, you’re stuck on the trail. And one of the most critical, non-negotiable pieces of that puzzle is a reliable set of turn signals.
You’ve probably asked yourself if it’s a job you can tackle in your own garage. We promise you it is. This comprehensive polaris general turn signals guide is here to cut through the confusion and empower you to handle the entire process yourself, from picking the right kit to troubleshooting like a pro.
In this article, we’ll break down the real benefits of adding signals, walk you through a detailed step-by-step installation, diagnose common problems you might encounter, and share our best practices for keeping your signals flashing reliably for years to come. Let’s get your rig safe, legal, and ready for any road.
Why Bother? The Undeniable Benefits of Polaris General Turn Signals
It’s easy to think of turn signals as just another box to check for street legality, but their value goes far beyond appeasing local laws. Installing a quality kit is one of the smartest upgrades you can make for safety, convenience, and even the value of your machine.
Safety on the Pavement and the Trail
This is the big one. On the road, signals are your primary way of communicating your intentions to other drivers. A sudden, unannounced turn in a UTV can easily cause a serious accident. Clear, bright signals make you predictable and visible, drastically reducing the risk of a collision.
Even on the trail, they’re incredibly useful. When leading a group ride, signals let everyone behind you know your next move, preventing pile-ups on tight corners or unexpected forks in the path. It’s about clear communication, no matter the terrain.
Achieving Street Legality
In most states, if you want to legally operate your General on public roads, turn signals are mandatory. Trying to get by with hand signals is often not compliant (and frankly, unsafe). A proper, hard-wired kit is the only way to ensure you meet local and state UTV regulations and avoid hefty fines or being ordered off the road.
Increased Resale Value
Think about it from a buyer’s perspective. A General that’s already equipped with a clean, professionally installed turn signal kit is a much more attractive purchase. It saves the next owner time, money, and a major headache, making your machine stand out and command a higher price when it’s time to sell.
Choosing Your Weapon: Selecting the Best Turn Signal Kit
Not all turn signal kits are created equal. The market is flooded with options, from basic universal kits to feature-packed, model-specific systems. Here’s what you need to consider to make the right choice for your needs and budget.
Plug-and-Play vs. Universal Kits
Plug-and-Play Kits: These are designed specifically for the Polaris General. They often use factory wiring connectors and mounting points, which makes installation much simpler and cleaner. You’ll spend less time cutting, splicing, and guessing. We highly recommend this route for most DIYers.
Universal Kits: These are more generic and can be adapted to fit almost any UTV. While they are often cheaper, they require more work, including cutting, splicing wires, and drilling holes. If you’re on a tight budget and confident in your wiring skills, this can be a viable option.
Key Features to Look For
A good kit is more than just blinking lights. Here are some features that add significant value and convenience:
- Horn Kit: Most street-legal regulations require a horn. Kits that integrate a loud, 105-decibel horn save you from having to install a separate system.
- License Plate Light: Another common requirement for road use. A small LED license plate light integrated into the kit’s wiring harness is a huge plus.
- Steering Column Stalk: A turn signal lever that mounts to the steering column, just like in your car, offers the most intuitive and ergonomic operation. Look for one with functions like high/low beams or horn buttons built-in.
- LED Lights: We strongly recommend LED over old-school incandescent bulbs. They are brighter, last tens of thousands of hours longer, and draw significantly less power from your electrical system. This is one of the best eco-friendly polaris general turn signals choices you can make, as it reduces energy waste and the need for frequent replacements.
How to Install Polaris General Turn Signals: A Step-by-Step Guide
Alright, let’s get our hands dirty. This section provides a general overview of the installation process. Always refer to the specific instructions included with your kit, as steps may vary. This is the core of our “how to polaris general turn signals” breakdown.
Step 1: Gather Your Tools and Prep the Machine
Before you start, make sure you have everything you need. A little preparation goes a long way.
Essential Tools:
- Basic socket and ratchet set
- Torx bit set (a T-40 is essential for many Polaris panels)
- Wire cutters, strippers, and crimpers
- Zip ties and electrical tape
- Drill and various drill bits (if your kit requires it)
- A plastic trim removal tool or “panel popper” to avoid scratching plastics
- A multimeter for testing connections
Safety First: Park your General on a level surface and put it in Park. The most important first step is to disconnect the negative terminal of your battery to prevent any accidental shorts.
Step 2: Disassemble and Plan Your Wire Routing
You’ll need access behind the dash, under the hood, and along the frame to the rear of the vehicle. Carefully remove the necessary body panels. For the General, this typically involves removing the hood, the center dash console, and possibly the seats and center tunnel cover.
Lay out your wiring harness and plan its path. The goal is to follow existing factory wiring looms whenever possible. This keeps your new wires protected from heat, moving parts, and abrasion. Use plenty of zip ties to keep everything neat and secure.
Step 3: Mount the Lights and Components
Front Signals: Many kits provide amber LED lights that require you to drill a 3/4-inch hole in the front plastic fenders. Measure twice, drill once! Ensure they are placed symmetrically for a professional look.
Rear Signals: The easiest and cleanest way to add rear signals is to use a kit that integrates with your factory taillights. These kits typically include a small wiring harness that plugs in between the factory connector and the taillight housing, using the existing brake light as the turn signal. This avoids drilling and looks completely stock.
Control Unit: Mount the turn signal stalk on the steering column. Mount the flasher relay and control module up under the dash in a dry location, away from excessive heat. Secure it firmly with zip ties or screws.
Step 4: Connect the Wiring
This is the most critical part. Take your time and make your connections solid.
- Run the Harness: Route the main harness from the control module under the dash forward to your front lights and backward to your rear lights.
- Connect the Lights: Connect the wires to your newly mounted front and rear signals. If you’re using butt connectors, give them a gentle tug after crimping to ensure they are secure. For extra protection, use heat-shrink tubing over your connections.
- Connect to Power: Your kit needs power. Most Polaris Generals have a pre-wired “pulse bar” or accessory terminal block under the hood. This is the best place to get power. It provides a switched 12V source (meaning it only has power when the key is on), a constant 12V source, and a ground. Connect your kit’s power wire to the switched accessory post.
Pro Tip: Never just wrap a bare wire around a terminal. Always use a proper ring terminal for a secure and safe connection to the battery or pulse bar.
Step 5: Test and Reassemble
Before you put all the plastic back on, reconnect the negative battery terminal. Turn the key to the “on” position and test all functions: left signal, right signal, hazard lights, and the horn if your kit has one. Check that the indicator on your dash or control stalk blinks correctly.
Once you’ve confirmed everything works perfectly, turn the key off. Now you can carefully reinstall all the body panels you removed. Stand back and admire your work!
Common Problems with Polaris General Turn Signals (And How to Fix Them)
Even with a perfect installation, you might run into a snag. Here are some of the most common problems with polaris general turn signals and how to troubleshoot them.
Problem: Hyper-Flashing (Blinking Too Fast)
The Cause: This happens when you replace incandescent bulbs with LEDs. LEDs draw much less power, and the factory flasher relay thinks a bulb is burned out, causing it to flash rapidly as a warning.
The Fix: Most quality UTV turn signal kits come with an LED-compatible flasher relay that solves this problem out of the box. If yours doesn’t, you can either replace the relay with an electronic LED flasher or wire in “load resistors” parallel to the signal lights. The relay is the cleaner, better solution.
Problem: Signals Don’t Work at All
The Cause: This is almost always a power or ground issue.
The Fix: Start with the simple stuff. Check the fuse for the turn signal kit. If the fuse is good, use your multimeter to check for 12V power at the control module. If you have power, check your ground connection. A bad ground is the number one cause of electrical gremlins. Ensure it’s connected to a clean, bare metal spot on the chassis.
Problem: Only One Side Works
The Cause: This points to a problem specific to the non-working side.
The Fix: Check the bulb or LED on the side that isn’t working. If the light itself is good, trace the wiring for that specific light back to the control module. Look for a loose connection, a pinched wire, or a bad crimp. A quick check with a multimeter for continuity can help you pinpoint the break in the circuit.
The Polaris General Turn Signals Care Guide: Best Practices for Longevity
You’ve put in the work, now let’s make sure your signals last. Proper care is simple and ensures your system remains reliable. Following these polaris general turn signals best practices will save you headaches down the road.
Regular Inspections: Before each ride, do a quick walk-around. Turn on your left and right signals and hazards to ensure all lights are illuminating correctly. This takes 30 seconds and is the best preventative measure.
Keep Connections Clean: After a muddy or wet ride, pay special attention to your wiring. Gently rinse off any mud or debris from the light housings and exposed connectors. For a more sustainable polaris general turn signals system, apply a dab of dielectric grease to major connectors once a year to prevent corrosion and ensure a solid connection.
Check Your Wiring: Periodically, especially after a rough ride, inspect your wiring harness for any signs of rubbing, pinching, or damage. Make sure your zip ties are still holding and that no wires are dangling near the exhaust or suspension components.
Frequently Asked Questions About Polaris General Turn Signals
Are turn signals legally required on my Polaris General?
This depends entirely on your state and local laws. In most jurisdictions, if you want to operate on public roads, turn signals are mandatory. Always check with your local DMV or law enforcement for the specific requirements in your area.
Can I just use hand signals?
While hand signals are better than nothing, they often do not meet the legal requirements for a motor vehicle, which a UTV is considered in many states when on the road. Furthermore, they are less visible, especially at night or in bad weather, and require you to take a hand off the steering wheel. A hard-wired system is far safer and more likely to be compliant.
What is a flasher relay?
A flasher relay is a small electronic component that makes the turn signal lights blink. It interrupts the power to the lights in a rhythmic pattern. Standard relays are calibrated for the power draw of incandescent bulbs, which is why an LED-specific or “no-load” flasher is needed to prevent hyper-flashing with LEDs.
Do I need a kit with a horn?
Just like turn signals, a horn is another standard requirement for street legality in most places. Choosing a kit that includes an integrated horn is highly efficient, saving you the time and expense of sourcing and wiring a separate horn system.
Adding turn signals to your Polaris General is one of the most practical and responsible upgrades you can make. It’s a project that a careful DIYer can absolutely conquer in an afternoon, adding immense safety and functionality to your machine. By choosing a quality kit and following a methodical installation process, you’ll be ready to signal your intentions clearly, whether you’re on a blacktop road or a dusty trail.
Stay safe out there, and happy riding!
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