I can not get my AWD to enage when depressing the reverse over ride button on my 1999 Sportsman 500 . I read some older post from 1999. My goal is to have 4x4 while in reverse. I don't care if the over ride system is functioning as designed (frankly, I think it is a pain in the butt.

So this is what I did based on the old post. I cut the orange/grey wire going to the speedometer. However, I can not determine if that is all I need to do- becasue at this point I am not sure 4x4 is working in reverse. Is this all I need to do to accomplish this? Or must I also place a 12v 20 amp diode between the purple and the grey/white wire at the over ride button. Thank you.

 

not sure on a '99,but on my 04 you have to jump the ground with a toggle switch to the wire in the speedo,do a little more research.Did you get the machine off the ground(jack stands) to check and see if the 4x4 works in reverse.But I am almost positve just cutting the orange/grey wire will not work,I think it has to be grounded for it to work

 

Cant figure out how to add the quote in my reply,but for the reverse mod add a toggle between grey/orange and brown on 12v outlet using wire splices and spades.toggle on bypasses the yellow button.I think this will work for your machine
But if your awd doesnt work in reverse to begin with you might have other problems.Hopefully when OPT logs in and reads this he will have a solution or atleast tell you how to trouble shoot it,he is the resident expert and has helped me on many occasions

No need to double post avf

 

Thx. Yes I got it off the ground to check if front wheels engage when in awd while depressing the over ride button while in reverse. The turn in forward though but not in reverse.
I am thinking that when this started last winter it would engage occasionally or inconsistently while plowing snow. Should I look to something else? The connections going into the front hubs seem good ( not sure what that wire is for).
Sorry about the double post. New to forum.

 

welcome
I am no expert,and my machine is an 04.the two wires going to the hub is for the coil,positive and neg.
If the awd works fine in forward I would suspect the problem is in the yellow button,or could even be in the tranny switch,but thats only a limited educated guess.Hopefully OPT will chime in,like I said he is the expert,a retired Polaris tech and really knows his stuff
But it seems to me the problem is in the yellow button so I would try thr ground jumper between brown wire on 12v outlet to orange/grey on pod

 

Pre 2003 and almost all models that do NOT have the combined override/Speedo function button.

Trace wires from the override button (gray/white & gray/orange) Cut the gray/orange and tape up both ends. Cut the gray/white and tape up the end which goes to the override button. Connect the other end of the gray/white to the red/white (ignition supplied 12v) Done deal.


Try what this guy posted and see if the awd works in reverse by eliminating the over ride button. Just jack all 4 tires up to check awd in reverse.

 

....damn should have known about the analog speedo,oh well lesson learned.

 

Ok thank you both! I will give it a try and post the results!

 

Just wanted to let you and others that will read this thread at a later date know that it worked. Thank you for your help!

 

Glad it worked out for you. This mod should work on all models the more I think about it as all you're doing is just by passing the physical button on the left switch. Shouldn't matter if it's an older model or newer one.