My 2000 Sportsman is sticking in low if I ride in low for any amount of time. I have to either turn off the 4wheeler or sometimes just ram the hell out of it to get it to change gears. It looks like maybe some fluid leaked in this area, is there fluid in the shifter box? (I hope that is not too stupid of a question)

SLG

 

I believe on your model there is fluid in that shift 'box' that your shifter goes into. Try never to beat the crap out of that shifter if you can, it will cause way more damage. When you say you have to shut the engine off to get it into gear, that makes me think you actually have a clutch / belt issue. Perhaps your idle is a bit too high causing the clutch to be slightly engaged, and in turn putting a bit of pressure on your tranny so that you cannot shift smooth. If your idle is OK, then check your belt and clutch alignment. If the clutches are not aligned properly, the belt will drag and cause the tranny to get 'loaded' and make it very difficult to shift.

 

I have no trouble shifting from Hi to Reverse or going into low, but after using low for an exteneded amount of time or the warmer the machine gets the harder it is to get out of low. It will not always work to turn it off.

I did just replace the belt, so maybe it is still engaged, but wouldn't it creap forward if it was? Also wouldn't it always shift easier when off?

SLG

 

Given that it only does it for low, I would tend to agree with you. It probably is something in the transmission. How does the oil look in the tranny? Has it been changed recently?

 

I have a '93 model sportsman 4x4...my shifter was getting stuck and it took a lot of force to shift it....I found a gash in the rubberboot around the shifter. I took it apart and cleaned the shifter housing and other parts and now it shifts smoothly.....one step forward two steps back.......now i cannt get the shifter linkage adjusted right!!!I either have forward or I have reverse, each time I adjust the rod I lose one or the other!!!!

 

I have a 2003 400 and I had a similar problem. I checked the fluid in the shifter box and it had about twice as much fluid as the manual stated it should have. I've heard guys talk about "vapor lock" in there. Not sure if that's the term but I think it just meant too much fluid. Mine shifts really smooth now. May be coincidence, may be my awsome problem solving. I don't know.