Just got this recently, Everything works but the 4x4. When its in high or low and you push the 4x4 button the awd light does come on....However....when you release it the light goes off and it is not engaged??? The guy I got it from didnt look into itbc he already got a new one.


Please Help

 

Couple problem areas on these old ones were the gear shift switch or good contact on the bulb in the indicator. Item #16 on the switch plus if it's never been torn into,the switch has been updated to a metal plunger.1998 Polaris SPORTSMAN 500 (W98CH50A) Gear Selector | Cycle Parts Warehouse Some times you can push forward on the shift lever a little and it will stay lit up. This could be due to worn shifter parts. These older model repair parts are slowly becoming NLA now.Plus contact on the bulb itself. Look in to the separate bulb holder.1998 Polaris SPORTSMAN 500 (W98CH50A) Controls Throttle Asm./Cable | Cycle Parts Warehouse Here's costly new switch.Polaris New OEM ATV Gear Selector Switch Sportsman, Worker, Xplorer, 335, 500 | eBay I believe what some have done to bypass the gear position switch was to tie the red/white into the gray wire.This gives power to the awd and bypasses the light also. Later models the switch was moved to the gear case where it should have been in the first place..

 

ive done the bypass, its easy..pretty sure its the same from scrambler to sportsman of that year....even if said parts worked, id bypass them anyway

 

Where am I to start looking for the red/white and gray wires if I were to try the bypass option???
Thanks guys, just got it and have not taken anything apart yet!

 

Would this put it into AWD all the time?

 

The gear shifter switch wiring exits the rear of the shift box, loops around the inside of the shift box up into the body and the wires hooks into the color coded sections on the terminal board.All you need to do is trace the gray wire from the switch and move it to the red/white terminal section on the board which has 12 volts when the key is turned on.The you can push the awd button and voltage should be transferred to the front hub coils allowing the system to be "armed",ready for front wheel engagement when the rear wheels slip. You can test this out having all 4 tires off the ground,in gear with the awd button pushed in.