Hello Group,
I have a 2001 Sportman 500HO. 4X4
We got 10 inches of snow last night and I was riding for my first time in it.
The on demand system only sends power to the front wheels if the back one are spinning, correct.
I take off, the rear wheels spins and the front grap and off I go. I'm now moving good, so the front turns off. Now I'm spinning again, the front grap and off I go. I'm now moving good, so the front turn off. Now I'm spinning again.
The cycle repeats over and over every 20 feet.
Is this how the on demand system is going everytime in the deeper snow or do I have a malfunction?
I would like to be able to keep on moving with out stopping, but once the front drive shuts off I'm "stuck" until it kicks in again and again and again.

Snow Bound in Kansas,
John

 

Need to add in the my rear tires spin several revolutions before the front drive acts. Shouldn't it be only a 1/4 spin of the rear wheels?

 

There is a problem with it cause it should stay on. It might have something to do with the safty control box causing it. I have a 98 an was riding in the snow when new an had the system stop working an then when it dryed it was fine agine.

 

1/5 spin or 20%, the Hilliard clutch is what what engages 4wd via electomagnits. first, does you awd light go off when it disengages, if so take apart switch, check if its dirty, not making a good conection. also, are your tires worn evenly, same brand, and of the same size? how long sence your last gearbox oil change? it is verry verry important to get it changed, (PPD) polaris premium demand drive (synthetic) fluid. i'm sure people will add to this thread, and know more than my self so keep us updated

bowz

 

All the fluids are fresh.
Tires are factroy set.
I cleaned the contacts in the switch, no help.
The AWD light is NOT staying lit all the time. (?)

 

Time to take it in to the dealer, if nobody has anymore info on this problem ; but the awd is not working like it's suppose to in your case ! williebee

 

ther should be wires goign into the diff. check em for frays, and good conections, also, not positive, but there might be fueses? i have seen fueses being bad but still let curent go through them, the fuesable link breaks on one end or the other and bounces around making periotic contact, i highly doubt if this is your problem but just an idea, and u said the fluids are fresh, did u notice any shavings in the old oil, or on the magnet on the plug, u used PPD, or somen comparable. be carefull, i have heard they are verry verry verry touchy on oils. as for as the light going out, mine stays on full time and never goes out when i have the awd energized. that to me is telling me that it is electrical. keep us posted

bowz

 

Did some troubleshooting, it was a bit to cold to do alot. However the speedometer is not working correctly. Does the speedo have to be working for the on demand system to work? Also only the left front works when it does engage.
I'm thinking if I get the speedo to work if will fix the problem.
Will investage more when the sun is up.

 

in some cases the speedo has to work for the 4wd to work, my speedo does not work but i still have all the readouts and lights but not a current speed, but my 4wd works. i have read in threads that when they have no lights or read outs that the 4wd wouldn't engage. u can do a search and get more info on it. as far as one wheel, weird, polaris has one of the best 4wd's as in all 4 tires pull, not like honda and yamaha with limitid slip diff and only 3 will pull. it is sounding to me like your Hilliard clutch is about shot with only 3 tires pulling. all right i'll shut up now. prob not offern any help lol besto luck


bowz

 

i think from what ive read if you fix your speedo it will fix the awd. the newer ones for sure if the speedo doesnt work neither does your awd. if the awd light isnt staying lighted then its loosing power to the awd ill bet.