Hey guys! I just joined your forum. I just purchased my first atv, an '04 Polaris Sportsman 400. The lights and the speedo are not working, not sure about the awd. Any advice on where to start? Thanks.

 

check the key switch alought of outher people have had problems with them

 

Shall I replace it? Or check for loose connections?

 

i am not shure how you check it someone else that has done it will know for shure

 

Okay here's what I've discovered so far! The speedo works if the wheels are turned all the way to the left. At this point, everything works properly. When I reached under the headlight pod and moved the biggest cluster of wires the speedo cut on and off. When I straightened the wheels moving the same group of wires would not turn it back on.

Next, with the key on I removed the pod cover and the front plastic, checked all the connections and gently moved all the wires around. I never could get the speedo to turn back on with the wheel turned or not.

Any suggestions? Should I take it to the dealership? Help please!

 

Sounds like a wire is shorting somewhere. Look for wires with the insulation worn off. If you can find it wrap some electrical tape around it and see if it solves your problem.

 

Found it! After inspecting wires for 'bout an hour I decided cut back a portion of the sheathing around wires coming from the headlight to have a look. Sure enough, I spotted a broken ground wire, soldered it back together sealed it with shrink tubing! Problem solved!!!!

 

I'm glad you were able to find it easily. It can be a real headache to track down a short or broken wire.

 

It was shear luck!

 

It ain't luck. You are just good ;-)